About Dimitris Zopounidis

Dimitris Zopounidis

PhD Candidate | Researcher | Business Analyst | Data Scientist | Aviation Data, Tourism & AI Analyst

Dimitris Zopounidis is a researcher with expertise in aviation analytics, data science, and decision-making systems. His academic focus lies at the intersection of business analytics, artificial intelligence, predictive modeling, and data-driven strategy across sectors such as aviation, tourism, and sports. His research explores how business analytics and data science are embedded in organizational practices, shaping behavior, structuring decision environments, and contributing to wider societal change.

He holds an MSc in Business Analytics & Data Science and a BSc in Business Administration from the Department of Business Administration of the University of Macedonia (Thessaloniki, Greece). His research interests have been shaped by his affiliations with the Data Science Laboratory (DS Lab) at the Technical University of Crete. He also supports the organization and communication of academic conferences, contributing actively to the scientific community.

Dimitris currently serves as:

• Airport and Aviation Data Analyst, SeaCrete Hotels
  
  

• Research Coordinator at the Crete Tourism Observatory (CIHEAM MAICh), leading aviation and tourism trend analyses
  
  

• Founder & Head of Research at the Crete Aviation Observatory, where he explores air connectivity, passenger behavior, and sustainability strategies
  
  

• Researcher at the Data Science Laboratory (DS Lab) at the Technical University of Crete
  
  

• Founder & Editor of Aviationlife.gr, a platform for civil aviation insights and sectoral analysis
  
  

Research Areas

• Airports Sustainability Assessment

• Aviation and Tourism Data Analytics – focusing on ESG performance, airline competitiveness, and cyber risk modeling
  
  

• Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, and NLP – examining the integration of AI into business and organizational processes, with focus on algorithmic governance, model explainability, and responsible adoption
  
  

• Digital Sustainability – with particular interest in sustainable data cultures and how organizations orchestrate data responsibly across stakeholders
  
  

• Sports Analytics – applying predictive modeling and AI tools to enhance game strategies and evaluate player performance. He currently serves as a sports analyst for AOK Chania Basketball Club and has published football analytics work analyzing team behavior and match performance (UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Domestic Leagues (such as Greek Super League 1).
  
  

• Organizational Data Utilization and Business Analytics  – examining how institutions and businesses integrate data-driven methodologies and analytics to enhance decision-making, restructure workflows, and support long-term strategic innovation.
  
  

Selected Research Work

• An Empirical Analysis of the Relationship Between Corporate Financial Performance and ESG Factors in the Airline Sector
  Examining the impact of ESG factors on financial performance in aviation. Presented at the FEBS Conference (2024) and the Hellenic Aviation Society Conference (2025).
  
  

• Financial Risk Analysis of Cybersecurity: The Case of the Airline Sector
  Assessing cybersecurity risk and resilience in aviation. Presented at the FEBS Conferences (2021 & 2022).
  
  

His insights have been featured in major media outlets including Kathimerini, Ta Nea, Euro2day, Naftemporiki, and OT.gr. He also writes the regular "Airline News" column in "Χανιώτικα Νέα" (Haniotika Nea), Crete’s leading regional newspaper.

Research Philosophy

Dimitris Zopounidis’s research philosophy highlights the strategic role of Business Analytics and Data Science in shaping organizational decision-making. He considers analytical frameworks not just as technical instruments but as essential elements of corporate strategy, enabling boards of directors, executive teams, and stakeholders to base their choices on solid evidence. Through this perspective, data becomes a source of performance improvement, transparency, and long-term value creation.

A central aspect of his approach is the belief that data must be used responsibly and with awareness of its social and organizational context. He is particularly interested in how sustainable data cultures can be built, cultures that combine efficiency and innovation with accountability and ethical responsibility. His work explores how organizations can orchestrate complex data flows, connect technological developments with stakeholder needs, and incorporate predictive and prescriptive analytics into governance and decision-making processes.

Dimitris also sees Artificial Intelligence and generative models as transformative forces that go beyond automation. For him, they provide opportunities for new forms of learning, collaboration, and reflection across organizational and disciplinary boundaries. His overall aim is to bridge academic research with practice, ensuring that data-driven insights strengthen organizational resilience while also promoting social responsibility and sustainable growth.