Jairo Orozco and Felipe Symmes recognized for their academic contributions at the XIII International Conference of the Iberoamerican Academy of Management.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Research conducted by professors Jairo Orozco and Felipe Symmes, from the Department of Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation at EGADE Business School, Tecnológico de Monterrey, was recognized among the best at the XIII International Conference of the Iberoamerican Academy of Management (IAOM), held from November 22 to 24 in Madrid, Spain.

Orozco received the Best Paper Award for his work titled “The Impact of Professional Management Practices on Entrepreneurial Activity Levels and Types Across Countries”, coauthored with Coen Rigtering (Utrecht University), Andreu Turro, and David Urbano (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona). The study argues that professional management practices—defined as explicit routines guiding employee work—have a significant impact on the levels and types of entrepreneurial activity in countries, beyond traditionally considered factors such as economic development, labor market institutions, or culture.

“This recognition is the result of meaningful conversations and dedicated effort. My sincere thanks to my coauthors for their collaboration, commitment, and ambition. We remain motivated to continue our research and contribute meaningfully to the academic community,” Orozco shared in a social media post.

Meanwhile, Symmes received the Best Theoretical Contribution Award for his paper “A Mestizo-inspired vista for organization studies in Latin America”, coauthored with Pablo Fernández (IAE Business School). Their theoretical proposal suggests a mestizaje-inspired perspective to study organizational phenomena in Latin America, offering an alternative to the tension between contextual relativism and decontextualized universalism by integrating aesthetic and rational dimensions, drawing from the work of thinkers such as Octavio Paz.

The awards ceremony took place during the closing gala dinner of the conference, organized by Universidad CEU San Pablo. This year’s edition was titled “Present and Future of Management in Ibero-America: Innovation and Technology in the Age of AI”, inviting academics and professionals from various countries to reflect on the future of management in the region in the context of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and innovation.

In addition to Orozco and Symmes, EGADE Business School was represented by professors Cristian Granados and Alberto Méndez, who also presented their research at the conference.

Ernesto Amorós, Associate Dean of Faculty and Research at EGADE Business School and a board member of the Ibero-American Academy of Management, also made a notable contribution as a speaker on a journal editors’ panel, in his role as editor of Management Research.