Plenary Keynote Lectures

Prof. Jakov (Yasha) Crnkovic
Information Technology Management
School of Business
University at Albany - SUNY
https://www.albany.edu/business/Jakov_Yasha_Crnkovic.php

Topic: The Next Big Thing: Are We Ready for Mobile Apps in the Enterprise?

From the early beginnings of hardware and software market there were thousands of improvements to today’s world of IT devices, capabilities, systems, wireless and Internet technologies. It enabled the fast progress of mobile applications, commonly named apps. In the last five years, the quality of mobile devices, the network speeds and security made huge enhancement in the business environment, particularly Cloud computing and BYOD concept. We would like to add the third big thing to the wave: use of mobile Apps in Business. In the area of Higher education majority of CS, IT, MIS…programs still focus on teaching traditional SAD courses! If there are no companies to hire them, students need to be innovative and offer their own products: apps. It is high time for moving fast forward: universities need to promote entrepreneurship and to teach students to build business oriented mobile apps developed in Swift and/or Android landscape of languages for the business applications! Two experimental and simple mobile business apps Sustainify (for supporting sustainability efforts) and MaRQet (for saving money in supply chain management) will be discussed. 

Tomislava Pavic Kramaric, PhD
Department for Accounting and Finance
University Department for Professional Studies
​University of Split, Split, Croatia

Topic: Is Bancassurance New Drive for the European Insurance Market ? ​

​Insurance companies nowadays are operating in dynamic environment that is reflected in facing increasing competition, changes in regulatory framework, introducing coverage for new risks etc. This forces insurance companies to seek for means how to enhance their performance since the companies that do not grow and develop cannot survive in the market. One of the ways to increase sales can be found in usage of different distribution channels with bancassurance playing an important role. Having the benefits for all parties involved, with banks earning additional commission and with insurance companies broadening their sales network, this distribution channel has been gaining importance over the years having 29.6% share among other distribution channels. Since distribution schemes are varying across Europe adapting to different cultures and consumers’ needs and preferences, the author will provide an overview of bancassurance development across EU insurance markets both in life and non-life segment.