Prof Kuan-Chen Chen | Performance Management | Best Researcher Award

National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taiwan

Author Profile

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Professor Kuan-Chen Chen embarked on his academic journey with a profound interest in the intricate dynamics of finance and its intersection with health care systems. He earned his Ph.D. in Finance from National Chengchi University, one of Taiwan’s most prestigious institutions known for excellence in business and social sciences. During his doctoral studies, Professor Chen exhibited a keen aptitude for analytical reasoning, quantitative modeling, and an interest in macro and micro-level financial systems. This formative academic experience laid the foundation for a career that would eventually bridge the worlds of finance and healthcare management—a rare and essential confluence in today’s complex health economies.

His early academic work reflected a deep engagement with both theoretical models and empirical data, which allowed him to develop a nuanced understanding of how financial principles could be applied to optimize healthcare operations. These academic roots inspired him to explore the evolving financial challenges of healthcare institutions and to delve into research that could influence not only academic scholarship but also real-world practices.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Currently a Professor in the Department of Health Care Management at the National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences (NTUNHS), Professor Chen brings years of academic rigor and practical insight into the classroom and research laboratory. At NTUNHS, he is deeply involved in teaching, research, and academic leadership, offering specialized courses such as financial management, healthcare management, and hospital performance evaluation. These courses are designed not only to impart knowledge but to cultivate critical thinking among future healthcare managers and policymakers.

In parallel with his academic role, Professor Chen has successfully led multiple government-funded research projects, showcasing his ability to secure competitive grants and apply findings to public policy and institutional reforms. He maintains close ties with the healthcare industry, acting as a collaborative partner and advisor, which reinforces the relevance and applicability of his research.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Professor Chen’s research portfolio reflects a rich blend of finance, healthcare systems, and policy evaluation. His scholarly work has notably explored working capital management, agency costs, economies of scope, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) within hospital settings.

One of his notable research projects, funded by Taiwan’s National Science Council, titled “The Impact of Working Capital Management on Financial Performance: Empirical Evidence from Hospitals in Taiwan”, addressed critical concerns surrounding liquidity and resource allocation in healthcare institutions. By empirically assessing how hospitals manage their short-term financial assets and liabilities, this study provided strategic insights into improving financial efficiency and service delivery.

Another significant project, “Agency Costs, Economies of Scope, and Corporate Social Responsibility in Hospitals,” reflects his forward-thinking approach toward integrating CSR into the operational fabric of healthcare organizations. This research explores how broader social objectives can coexist with fiscal accountability and institutional efficiency.

His citation metrics further affirm his scholarly influence:

Total Citations: 506
Citations since 2020: 309
h-index: 13 (10 since 2020)
i10-index: 15 (12 since 2020)

These figures highlight the continued relevance and reach of his research across academic and policy-making communities.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

While Professor Chen’s career is marked by impactful research and educational contributions, he has also received recognition for his academic leadership and policy relevance. Being entrusted with multiple government-backed projects is a testament to his credibility and the confidence that both academia and public institutions place in his expertise. His role as a principal investigator in projects that examine the financial underpinnings of Taiwan’s hospital system has further established him as a thought leader in health finance.

Moreover, his active engagement with the healthcare industry reflects not just theoretical depth but also practical understanding—an invaluable combination that places him in demand as a consultant, advisor, and speaker.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Professor Chen’s work resonates not just within Taiwan but also has implications for the global discourse on healthcare economics and management. By addressing the dual imperatives of financial sustainability and quality patient care, his research contributes to international conversations on how healthcare systems can navigate the challenges of limited resources, aging populations, and rising costs.

His insights into CSR in hospitals underscore the evolving expectations of healthcare institutions—not merely as providers of clinical services but as socially responsible entities accountable to a wider array of stakeholders, including communities, regulators, and investors.

Through teaching and mentorship, Professor Chen has also cultivated a new generation of scholars and practitioners, many of whom go on to apply his models and methods in diverse institutional settings, thereby multiplying the reach of his impact.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

As a respected academic and a prolific researcher, Professor Kuan-Chen Chen is poised to continue his influential work at the nexus of healthcare and financial management. His future research is likely to further explore the digital transformation of healthcare finance, value-based care models, and the role of data analytics in improving hospital performance.

With Taiwan and other nations grappling with health financing reforms, Professor Chen’s work will undoubtedly remain central to shaping policy decisions and institutional strategies. His balanced approach—grounded in rigorous analysis yet attentive to real-world application—ensures that his legacy will not only be scholarly but also deeply practical and socially relevant.

Looking ahead, he is set to expand his collaborations, possibly leading cross-national studies, and contributing to global best practices in hospital financial governance. His journey exemplifies how academic excellence, when combined with a sense of purpose, can leave an enduring imprint on both institutions and society at large. 🌟

📝Notable Publications

Healthcare utilization and costs for patients with Parkinson’s disease in Taiwan

Authors: Kuan-Chen Chen, Li-Jung Elizabeth Ku, Ya-Hui Hu, Yu Sun, Alexis Elbaz, Pei-Chen Lee

Journal: BMC Neurology

Year: 2025

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Hani Tarabichi’s academic journey is rooted in a multidisciplinary foundation that has shaped his unique perspective on global development and innovation. He earned his Bachelor of Computer Science from Eastern Michigan University in April 1991, providing him with a solid technical base. Recognizing the intertwined nature of technology, economics, and global affairs, he went on to complete a Master of Economics in Trade, Development, and Planning from the same institution in June 1994. These formative academic experiences fostered in him a deep appreciation for systems thinking, problem-solving, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Currently, Hani is pursuing a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering & Management at Aalto University, expected to be completed by December 2025. His doctoral journey reflects his continued passion for integrating strategic planning with human-centered approaches, particularly in the context of humanitarian and international development initiatives. Aalto University, known for its interdisciplinary innovation and research excellence, offers a fitting environment for his intellectually ambitious and socially impactful goals.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Hani Tarabichi has built a distinguished professional path characterized by strategic leadership, educational innovation, and international collaboration. As the Strategy Lead at WiTLAB (World in Transition LAB) at Aalto University since December 2023, Hani has been at the forefront of shaping the lab’s vision and impact. WiTLAB, an interdisciplinary program focusing on humanitarian architecture and life-wide learning, benefits significantly from his strategic foresight. He successfully crafted a roadmap for growth and internationalization, strengthened stakeholder networks, and facilitated memorandums of understanding with international NGOs and universities in the Global South.

Prior to this, from October 2022 to November 2023, Hani served as a Lecturer and Mentor in the IDBM (International Design & Business Management) program at Aalto University. Here, his role encompassed co-lecturing in courses like Business Model Design and Advanced Topics in IDBM. His contributions helped elevate student satisfaction scores, enhance curriculum relevance, and introduce critical perspectives on decolonizing peace and global development. Moreover, his mentorship notably increased thesis completion rates, a testament to his ability to guide and inspire future professionals.

Earlier roles, including his time as a Program Manager (details of which were partially provided), also reflect his extensive experience in orchestrating academic and capacity-building initiatives.

🌍 Contributions and Research Focus

Hani Tarabichi’s work sits at the intersection of strategy, education, and social impact. His contributions span strategic planning, interdisciplinary education, and the cultivation of global learning communities. At WiTLAB, he leverages research to promote life-wide learning, humanitarian responses, and sustainable development. His focus is not only on addressing immediate educational needs but also on building long-term capacity in marginalized or transitional communities through inclusive and participatory approaches.

In the IDBM program, his efforts brought a critical global lens to design and business pedagogy, challenging conventional narratives and introducing topics such as the decolonization of peace-building efforts. His research and programmatic focus emphasize collaborative problem-solving, integrating insights from business, design, and technology to create solutions for complex global challenges.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

While Hani’s professional style leans toward collaboration over personal accolades, his impact is nonetheless recognized through tangible outcomes. Under his leadership at WiTLAB, stakeholder engagement increased by 28%, and digital outreach saw significant growth—with viewership up by 38% and social media followers rising by 32%. His teaching in IDBM earned him student evaluation scores of 4.6 out of 5, and his content development efforts led to an 18% increase in participant satisfaction.

Moreover, his success in securing new organizations as case study partners enriched the program’s diversity and relevance. These metrics are reflective of both peer and institutional recognition for his contributions to academic innovation and engagement.

🌟 Impact and Influence

Hani’s influence extends well beyond the classroom or boardroom. Through his work at Aalto University, he is shaping a new generation of changemakers equipped with the skills, empathy, and systems-thinking mindset necessary for global problem-solving. His emphasis on humanitarian architecture and life-wide learning speaks to his belief in education as a tool not just for employment, but for empowerment and societal transformation.

By fostering inclusive collaborations between Northern institutions and Global South partners, Hani is actively contributing to a more equitable academic and development landscape. His model encourages reciprocity, shared learning, and sustainable partnerships.

🚀 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Hani Tarabichi is poised to leave a lasting legacy in the domains of strategic educational reform, interdisciplinary program development, and global south-north partnerships. His Ph.D. research is expected to deepen his insights into how strategic planning and design thinking can be applied in humanitarian contexts, potentially influencing both academic literature and on-the-ground practices.

Hani’s legacy will likely be felt in the programs he develops, the students he mentors, and the cross-cultural dialogues he facilitates. His career reflects a commitment to bridging theory and practice, always grounded in the belief that innovation, when driven by empathy and strategy, can truly transform the world.