International Doctoral and Early Career Academics (ECA) Consortium & 2nd ICCMRO International Conference 2026

Centre for Ethics, ESG Initiatives & Responsible Organisations (CERO), MDI Gurgaon, in collaboration with the International Association for Business & Society (IABS), Business School, Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), Switzerland, and TERI School of Advanced Studies (TERI SAS), is delighted to announce the International Doctoral and Early Career Academics (ECA) Consortium 2026, along with the 2nd ICCMRO International Conference. The 2nd ICCMRO International Conference will additionally be supported by Sustainable Advancements, India, and UN Global Compact Network India(UNGC NI).

About MDI
The Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon is a leading business school in India, established in 1973. Known for its rigorous academic programs and strong industry connections, MDI offers a range of management courses, including Post Graduate Programs, Executive Programs, and Doctoral Programs. The institute is committed to developing innovative leaders through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application.

About CERO
The Centre for Ethics, ESG Initiatives & Responsible Organisations (CERO), MDI Gurgaon, has been formed by a group of self-motivated professionals.The Centre aims to serve as a platform for education, research and engagement. The idea is to contribute to the foundations of social and economic changes for a sustainable and just world. This will lead to empowerment of the underprivileged and marginalised.

About International Doctoral and Early Career Academics (ECA) Consortium (February 20th to February 21st, 2026)

Theme

In and Beyond Sustainability: Creating and Sustaining Regenerative Businesses The consortium is designed to complement the International Conference on the theme, “Beyond Sustainability: Creating and Sustaining Regenerative Businesses” from February 22nd to 24th, 2026, by fosteringdoctoral and early-career research development, mentorship, and cross-disciplinary dialogue. It is positioned as alaunchpad for young scholarsto contribute to regenerative thinking in management and social sciences, blending rigorous research with societal impact.

Together, these two events create a continuum—from early research development to global knowledge exchange—reflecting the ICCMRO 2026 commitment to advancing Beyond Sustainability.

Eligibility

• Doctoral Scholars (Management and Social Sciences)
• Early Career Academics (within 5 years of PhD/FPM award)

The Doctoral & Early Career Academics (ECA) Colloquium invites research ideas and proposals from doctoral scholars and ECA registered in various Management and Social Science disciplines at Universities and Institutions across Sustainability themes in the subdisciplines of Marketing, Accounting & Finance, Human Resources, Organisation Behaviour, Operations, Strategy & General Management, Business Communication, Economics & Public Policy and Information Management, Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Demography

Key Features

1. Dedicated Academic Research and Industry Case Presentation Blocks
   • 20 minutes per scholar (10 min presentation + 10 min feedback)
   • Faculty mentors and peer discussants pre-assigned
   • Parallel tracks for higher submission volumes
2. Mentor Feedback Clinics
   • Small-group mentoring on theory, methods, and publication strategy
   • Ensures each scholar leaves with concrete takeaways
     • Regenerative Economies & Business Models
     • Innovation, Systems Thinking & Technology
     • Human Flourishing & Sustainable Leadership
     • Indigenous Knowledge & Biocultural Regeneration
     • Global South Perspectives
     • Marketing for Regenerative Futures
3. Poster Session
   • Evening display and walk-around for informal faculty and practitioner feedback
4. Roundtable Discussions
   • Collaborative Projects between Global North & South Scholars
   • Interdisciplinary Research Opportunities across Sustainability, Technology & Well-being
   • Bridging Scholarship and Practice: Doctoral Research Shaping Policy & Business
5. Industry Panel: Emerging Research–Practice Linkages
6. Methodology Track I: Qualitative & Systemic Approaches for In and Beyond Sustainability
   • Ethnography, grounded theory, participatory action research
   • Systems mapping and scenario analysis
   • Conceptual and foundational tools for doctoral work
7. Methodology Track II: Engaged & Community-Based Research for Regeneration
   • Practitioner-driven & community-based participatory research (CBPR)
   • Co-creation & co-design with local stakeholders
   • Case-based learning from NGOs, grassroots innovators, and social enterprises
   • Translating field data into academic & policy impact
8. Workshop: Research to Publication – Writing for International Journals for topics related to In and Beyond Sustainability
9. The Scholar’s Responsibility: From Knowledge Creation to Regenerative Impact

Submission Guidelines

• Extended abstract: Maximum 2,500 words (approximately 4 pages)
• Format: Times New Roman, 12 pt font, 1.5 spacing, standard margins
• Structure: Introduction, Literature Review, Research Gap, Objectives, Methodology, Contribution, Limitations, References
• Review focus: Conceptualization, Theory Development, Methodology

Registration

• Indian Nationals Fees: 1000 INR (inclusive of all taxes)
• Foreign Nationals Fees: 25 USD (inclusive of all taxes) 
• Seats: Limited

Participants (Research Scholars / ECA) who would be interested in joining the international conference may do so at the same fees, with a request via email to: [email protected]

Benefits of Participation

• Detailed Expert Feedback
• International Exposure
• Platform for Indo–Swiss Research Exchange
• Guidance on Academic Writing for Journal Publication
• Training in Methods for Sustainability Research
• Personalized Mentoring

About the 2nd ICCMRO Conference (February 22 to February 24, 2026)

Theme

Beyond Sustainability: Creating and Sustaining Regenerative Businesses. This event will explore bold, future-focused business models that regenerate ecosystems, empower communities, and deliver lasting value for all stakeholders. This conference serves as a platform for scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to examine the next frontier of responsible enterprise. Regenerative business challenges traditional extractive paradigms, embracing circularity, inclusivity, and resilience. Drawing from diverse fields—ecological economics, systems thinking, organizational psychology, indigenous knowledge, and design innovation—this event fosters interdisciplinary dialogue on how businesses can actively contribute to the health of the planet and society.

By going beyond sustainability, we move from doing less harm to doing more good. Join us as we explore bold ideas, transformative research, and real-world practices that are reshaping the role of business in the 21st century. The conference invites submissions on the following themes:

Conference Tracks and Sub-Themes

Track 1: Indo-Swiss comparative perspectives, focusing on business and sustainability

• Collaboration in Multilingual & Multi-cultural Environments
• Global Business Environments
• Sustainability and circularity perspectives
• Transformational leadership

Track 2: Rethinking Economies for Regeneration

Exploring alternative economic paradigms that recognize natural capital, circularity, and systemic resilience.

• Regenerative economies and valuing natural capital
• Beyond GDP: rethinking prosperity metrics
• Circular economy and systemic resilience
• Business models of start-ups driving regenerative growth
• North–South collaborations for social sustainability
• Sustainable marketing

Track 3: Transdisciplinary Innovation for Sustainable Futures

Highlighting cross-disciplinary innovation for clean energy, circular design, and systemic problem-solving.

• Responsible Innovation
• Integrated approaches to sustainability and regeneration
• Ecological intelligence and design for planetary health
• Frugal innovation for regenerative outcomes
• Systems thinking in action: tools and frameworks
• Digital transformation for sustainability
• Social innovation and community pathways
• Policy and governance for regenerative development
• Innovation for clean energy transitions

Track 4: Human Flourishing and Inner Sustainability

Focusing on inner development, values, and well-being as foundations for regenerative societies.

• Mindfulness and sustainable leadership
• Philosophical schools of thought on sustainability
• Prosperity, ethics, and worldviews for a regenerative future
• Resilience, emotional intelligence, and collective well-being
• Contemplative traditions and education for human flourishing

Track 5: Nature-Based, Indigenous Knowledge, and Biocultural Regeneration

Centering local and indigenous wisdom in biodiversity conservation and regenerative practices.

• Indigenous wisdom and regenerative futures
• Nature-based innovation for climate, health, and equity
• Economics of biodiversity and regeneration
• Regenerative urban designs
• Cultural heritage and biocultural regeneration

Track 6: Global South Perspectives on Regeneration

Examining regenerative transitions in emerging economies, highlighting South-South collaboration.

• Regenerative business models for smallholders and local communities
• Finance and governance innovations: IP-backed, equity-linked, impact-oriented capital
• Regenerative agriculture, circular economy, and bioeconomy in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
• Women-centered regenerativity: gender justice and economic empowerment
• Cross-border and multi-stakeholder ecosystems in the Global South
• Policy diffusion and collaborative platforms (ASEAN, APN, African Union)

Track 7: Marketing for Regenerative Futures

Investigating how marketing can support regenerative economies through behavior change, branding, and measurement.

• Consumer behavior and sustainable consumption patterns
• Regenerative brand positioning and authentic communication
• Avoiding greenwashing and building trust
• Inclusive segmentation and market strategies
• Channels and platforms for circular distribution
• Pricing regenerative products: value vs affordability
• Influencer marketing and community engagement for sustainable adoption
• Metrics and accountability in regenerative marketing

Fees

• Indian National students/scholar: INR 1000 inclusive of all taxes
• Indian nationals: INR 3,000 (early bird) inclusive of all taxes / INR 5,000 (regular) inclusive of all taxes
• Foreign nationals: USD 50 (early bird) inclusive of all taxes / USD 100 (regular) inclusive of all taxes

Submission Guidelines for Camera Ready Abstract

• Extended abstracts should be between 800-1000 words (excluding references).
• Extended abstracts should include keywords, introduction, research methodology, findings, conclusion and contribution.
• All types of abstracts, conceptual/theoretical, empirical, review papers & case studies can be submitted.
• All contributions must adhere to the APA 7th edition referencing style, with a font size of 12 pt in Times New Roman and 1.5 spacing.

Publication Opportunities

Conference Proceedings with ISSN/ISBN published by Macmillan Publishers.

Selected papers to be published in Springer’s edited book Series "Responsible Leadership and Sustainable Management".

The 6 best papers will be considered for publication in Springer Nature’s Journal of Sustainable Business (APC Waiver).

Conference Partners

Business School, Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
Bern University of Applied Sciences, BFH, Business School at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH Business School) is a public institution of higher education based in Bern, Switzerland. As part of the Bern University of Applied Sciences, it operates under Swiss public law and is committed to delivering practice-oriented, high-quality education, research, and consulting. BFH Business School offers bachelor's, master's, and continuing education programmes in business administration, international business, digital business management, and related fields. Its applied research and strong ties to industry and public institutions support innovation and knowledge transfer both regionally and internationally.

TERI SAS
TERI School of Advanced Studies is a not-for-profit, independent research institute recognized globally for its contribution to scientific and policy research in the realms of energy, environment and sustainable development in 1998. The objective of the TERI SAS is to build capacity around various themes of sustainable development, adopting an interdisciplinary approach and incorporating the most contemporary, research-based evidence into the curriculum.

Supported by

Sustainable Advancements
Sustainable Advancements broadly aims to promote the 5Ps of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

United Nations Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI)
UN Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI), formed in November 2000, was registered in 2003 as a non-profit society to function as the Indian Country Network of the Global Compact, New York. It serves as a vital platform for advancing the ten universally endorsed principles within the Indian business landscape.