Research Excellence Award
Eleonora Rizzitello
University of Palermo, Italy
Eleonora Rizzitello is an Italian researcher and academic affiliated with the University of Palermo, specializing in management engineering, environmental sustainability, venture capital investment behavior, circular business models, and sustainable supply chain systems. Her research combines quantitative methodologies, econometric analysis, and behavioral experimentation to investigate sustainability-oriented decision-making processes within business and industrial environments.[1] She has contributed to scholarly discussions on green startup financing, sustainable logistics, employee engagement, and environmentally responsible innovation ecosystems through peer-reviewed journal publications and international conference presentations.[2]
Rizzitello’s academic activities encompass research, teaching, doctoral representation, and interdisciplinary collaboration across European institutions. Her work is associated with sustainability management, digital transformation in supply chains, and the interaction between environmental policy mechanisms and venture capital investment strategies.[3]
Abstract
The academic profile of Eleonora Rizzitello reflects an interdisciplinary contribution to management engineering and sustainability-oriented business research. Her work addresses venture capital investment behavior in green startups, circular business models, behavioral operations, and environmentally sustainable delivery systems. Through empirical methodologies and quantitative analysis, her studies examine how environmental policy pressures, organizational behavior, and strategic management influence sustainable innovation ecosystems.[4] Her scholarly activities also include doctoral research, conference dissemination, teaching engagement, and participation in international academic initiatives related to sustainability and circular economy development.[5]
Keywords
Management Engineering; Environmental Sustainability; Venture Capital; Green Investments; Circular Business Models; Sustainable Supply Chains; Behavioral Operations; Digital Sustainability; Econometrics; Sustainable Delivery Systems; Corporate Social Responsibility; Startup Financing; Quantitative Research Methods; Innovation Management.
Introduction
Eleonora Rizzitello is associated with the Department of Management Engineering at the University of Palermo in Italy. Her research activities focus on the relationship between sustainability-oriented innovation and managerial decision-making processes within entrepreneurial and industrial systems. Her scholarly profile integrates business strategy, behavioral economics, and sustainability science within the broader field of management engineering.[6]
Her doctoral research explored venture capital decision-making mechanisms in green investments, emphasizing the influence of environmental policy frameworks and investor behavior in sustainable startup ecosystems. In addition to academic publishing, she has participated in international conferences, sustainability forums, and interdisciplinary collaborations related to circular economy development and operational sustainability.[7]
Research Profile
Rizzitello’s research profile is centered on sustainable management systems and the integration of environmental considerations into operational and financial decision-making processes. Her work addresses venture capital investment behavior toward sustainable startups, digital technologies in supply chains, and circular business innovation models.[8]
Methodologically, her studies employ econometric modeling, conjoint experiments, and controlled experimental designs to examine behavioral patterns and strategic responses within organizations. Her interdisciplinary orientation combines sustainability management, corporate finance, and behavioral operations research to evaluate organizational adaptation toward environmentally sustainable practices.[9]
Beyond research publications, she has contributed to academic teaching activities including courses on business planning for startups, corporate finance tutorials, and business administration modules at the University of Palermo. She has additionally served as a representative for doctoral students within the PhD program in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Management, and Aerospace Innovation.[10]
Research Contributions
Among her principal contributions is the investigation of how environmental policy pressures influence venture capital funding decisions for green startups. Her work in this area explores investor heterogeneity and the moderating role of sustainability-oriented policy frameworks in shaping financial support mechanisms for environmentally innovative enterprises.[11]
Another significant contribution involves sustainable behavioral operations and logistics systems. Her research on sustainable delivery choices integrates behavioral insights with monetary incentives to understand consumer decision-making and environmentally responsible last-mile delivery practices.[12]
Rizzitello has also contributed to the literature on circular business models through cluster-based literature reviews examining value generation mechanisms within circular economy systems. This work supports the understanding of sustainable value creation and resource optimization strategies within contemporary business models.[13]
Her research additionally addresses corporate social responsibility and employee engagement in relation to organizational financial performance. These studies contribute to the growing body of sustainability management scholarship linking social responsibility initiatives with organizational outcomes and workforce participation.[14]
Publications
Rizzitello has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings focusing on sustainability, management engineering, and environmentally responsible innovation systems. Selected publications include:
- Rizzitello, E., Lo Nigro, G., Mancini, S., & Gansterer, M. (2026). Nudging the last mile: Combining behavioral insights and monetary incentives for sustainable delivery choices. International Journal of Production Economics, 291(C). DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2025.109855
- Rizzitello, E., Piazza, M., & Perrone, G. (2025). Unlocking green startup investments: How environmental policy pressures drive Venture Capital funding decisions. Technological Forecasting & Social Change. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124158
- Rizzitello, E., Busacca, A., Roma, P., & Perrone, G. (2025). Linking Circular Business Models With Value Sources: A Cluster-Based Literature Review. Business Strategy & Development, 8(2). DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.70111
- Lo Nigro, G., Rizzitello, E., Mansueto, F., & Pace, F. (2026). From Corporate Social Responsibility to Financial Performance: The Role of Employee Engagement. Sustainability, 18(9), 4276. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094276
Her conference participation includes presentations at EurOMA Sustainability Forum, the International Working Seminar on Production Economics (IWSPE), the Innovation and Product Development Management Conference (IPDMC), and the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Italian Association of Management Engineers.[15]
Research Impact
The research impact of Dr. Rizzitello is reflected in her contributions to emerging scholarship on sustainability-oriented management systems and green finance mechanisms. Her publications address contemporary challenges involving environmental transition, responsible investment strategies, and sustainable operations management.[16]
Her studies on venture capital and environmental policy contribute to discussions concerning sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems and climate-oriented innovation financing. Additionally, her behavioral operations research on sustainable delivery systems provides insights relevant to logistics management and environmentally conscious consumer behavior.[17]
The interdisciplinary nature of her work, integrating econometrics, sustainability science, and management engineering, positions her scholarship within broader international efforts aimed at promoting circular economy practices and responsible organizational transformation.[18]
Award Suitability
Eleonora Rizzitello demonstrates several attributes aligned with the criteria commonly associated with research excellence recognition. Her scholarly work addresses globally significant sustainability issues through quantitatively rigorous and interdisciplinary methodologies. Her contributions to venture capital research, circular business systems, and sustainable operational behavior exhibit relevance to both academic and applied management contexts.[19]
Her active engagement in international conferences, doctoral research activities, and academic teaching further reflects a sustained commitment to scholarly development and knowledge dissemination. The integration of behavioral experimentation and econometric analysis within her research demonstrates methodological diversity and analytical rigor.[20]
In addition, her involvement in sustainability-oriented business planning education and interdisciplinary academic initiatives contributes to the broader educational and institutional impact associated with emerging scholars in management engineering and sustainable innovation research.[21]
Conclusion
Eleonora Rizzitello’s academic profile reflects a developing contribution to sustainability-focused management engineering research. Through empirical studies on green investments, sustainable operations, circular business systems, and environmentally responsible organizational practices, she has established a scholarly trajectory centered on contemporary sustainability challenges. Her interdisciplinary research methods, publication record, and international academic engagement collectively support her recognition within the field of management and sustainability studies.[22]
External Links
References
- Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Eleonora Rizzitello, Author ID 59758466000. Scopus.
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=59758466000
- Rizzitello, E., Piazza, M., & Perrone, G. (2025). Unlocking green startup investments: How environmental policy pressures drive Venture Capital funding decisions. Technological Forecasting & Social Change.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124158
- University of Palermo. (2026). Academic profile and doctoral activities of Eleonora Rizzitello.
https://iris.unipa.it/handle/10447/698387
- Rizzitello, E., Lo Nigro, G., Mancini, S., & Gansterer, M. (2026). Nudging the last mile: Combining behavioral insights and monetary incentives for sustainable delivery choices. International Journal of Production Economics.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2025.109855
- EurOMA Sustainability Forum. (2025). Conference proceedings and sustainability forum presentations.
- University of Palermo. (2026). Departmental affiliation and academic activities in Management Engineering.
- Rizzitello, E. (2026). Venture capital decision-making in green investments. PhD Thesis.
https://iris.unipa.it/handle/10447/698387
- Rizzitello, E., Busacca, A., Roma, P., & Perrone, G. (2025). Linking Circular Business Models With Value Sources: A Cluster-Based Literature Review. Business Strategy & Development.
https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.70111
- Rizzitello, E. (2026). Quantitative methods and experimental approaches in sustainable management research. University of Palermo.
- University of Palermo. (2025). Teaching activities and doctoral representation records.
- Rizzitello, E., Piazza, M., Mazzola, E., & Perrone, G. (2023). How do different VC Investors finance sustainable startups? The moderating role of environmental policies. IPDMC Conference Proceedings.
- Rizzitello, E., Lo Nigro, G., Mancini, S., & Gansterer, M. (2024). Nudging the Last Mile: Combining Behavioral Insights and Monetary Incentives for Sustainable Delivery Choices. IWSPE Conference Proceedings.
- Business Strategy & Development. (2025). Cluster-based literature review on circular business models and sustainable value sources.
https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.70111
- Lo Nigro, G., Rizzitello, E., Mansueto, F., & Pace, F. (2026). From Corporate Social Responsibility to Financial Performance: The Role of Employee Engagement. Sustainability.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094276
- European Operations Management Association. (2025). Sustainability forum participation and conference dissemination records.
- Elsevier. (2026). International Journal of Production Economics publication records.
- Technological Forecasting & Social Change. (2025). Research on sustainable investment systems and environmental policy pressures.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124158
- World Circular Economy Forum. (2023). International sustainability and circular economy initiatives.
- University of Palermo. (2026). Management engineering and sustainability-oriented research initiatives.
- AiIG Summer School. (2023). Striving for research quality: doctoral academic development program.
- University of Palermo. (2025). Business plans for startups teaching activities and collaborative educational initiatives.
- International Forensic Scientist Awards. (2026). Research Excellence Award evaluation and academic recognition framework.
forensicscientist.org
