The School of Business, Department of Management at UNIC Athens invites you to a research presentation by Professor Alexandros Kontonikas, Essex Business School, University of Essex, entitled “Zombie Firms in Greece: From Survival to Revival.” The event will take place on Monday, 9 November 2026, from 16:00 to 17:30 EET, in Andreas Vesalius Amphitheatre, UNIC Athens (29th Street No. 17
Elliniko 167 77).
The event will explore the phenomenon of zombie firms in Greece, focusing on businesses that continue to operate despite persistent financial difficulties and the challenges they pose for business sustainability and the wider economy.
The presentation will examine the prospects for business recovery and the factors that can support a transition from financial distress to renewed viability. It will also provide an opportunity to consider the implications of zombie firms for the Greek corporate and financial sectors, highlighting the relevance of academic research to current business and economic challenges.
The research presentation will be followed by a Q&A session and discussion on the implications for Greek businesses, bringing together faculty, students, researchers and invited representatives from the business and financial sectors.
Programme
- 16:00–16:10: Welcome and introduction by Professor Nikolaos Antonakakis, Director, School of Business, UNIC Athens.
- 16:10–16:55: Research presentation by Professor Alexandros Kontonikas, Essex Business School, University of Essex.
- 16:55–17:15: Questions, discussion and implications for Greek businesses.
- 17:15–17:30: Informal networking over drinks and light refreshments.
About the Speaker
Professor Alexandros Kontonikas
Director of Impact and Enterprise at Essex Business School (and former Head of the Finance Group)
Professor Alexandros Kontonikas is Director of Impact and Enterprise at Essex Business School (and former Head of the Finance Group), having previously held academic appointments at the University of Glasgow. His research combines rigorous academic analysis with a strong applied focus across asset pricing, corporate finance, and financial intermediation, examining how monetary policy, macro-financial fundamentals, and market sentiment shape asset prices, corporate deal activity, and risk transmission through banking and non-bank financial institutions. He has published widely with over 30 peer-reviewed articles in internationally excellent (ABS 3/4) journals -including the Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, the Journal of Corporate Finance, and the Review of Asset Pricing Studies. He actively bridges academic research and policy by consulting with international public bodies and financial institutions – including the Fed, the ECB, the European Commission and PwC – delivering externally funded research, and organizing high-level roundtables for academics, regulators, and industry leaders.
