IIM Lucknow Successfully Hosts Annual International Research Conference (AIRC) & Doctoral Workshop 2023
Lucknow : Indian Institute of Management Lucknow recently concluded its impactful 3-day Annual International Research Conference (AIRC) & Doctoral Workshop 2023, held from 15th to 17th December 2023. Eager research scholars from various countries, including Australia, Norway, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, as well as participants from across India, attended the conference, exchanging thought-provoking ideas and discussing issues in various business functions and domains of management. The conference saw attendance of over 75 academics.
The conference theme, ‘Transforming Business and Management in the Digital Age,’ facilitated discussions on business strategies from a contemporary and modern lens. Distinguished speakers included Prof. Sandeep Purao from Bentley University, Prof. Alok Gupta from the University of Minnesota, Prof Manish K. Srivastava from Michigan Tech University, Prof Cheryl Wachenheim from North Dakota State University, Dr Subhash Jha, Associate Professor at the University of Memphis, Prof Rashmi Jain from Montclair University and Dr. Swanand J. Deodhar, Associate Professor at IIM Ahmedabad, who shared valuable insights in their keynote address.
During her inaugural address, Prof. Archana Shukla, Director, IIM Lucknow, laid the foundation for insightful discussions and paved the way for an exceptional exchange of ideas. She urged the academic community to ground their research in uncertainty as only then can we create new research, new theory. She said, “Learning has no shortcuts in today’s world which is why it is important to have rigour in one’s methodology and processes when it comes to research. There is no fast-track way to becoming a researcher and one needs to invest time and practice self-discipline.”
The event covered ten technical sessions on relevant topics that provided the participants with insights into ever-evolving business landscapes in domains such as, Human Resource Management, Financial Management, Marketing Management, Information Technology, Decision Sciences, and Economics.
In his keynote address on ‘Doing Impactful Research,’ Prof. Sandeep Purao from Bentley University urged the academic community to change their research approach. He said, “Make the research problems practice generated instead of discipline generated.”
Prof. Purao’s address emphasized the importance of practice-generated research problems, encouraging scholars to draw inspiration from practical situations and align research closely with the needs of the broader community, fostering impactful and relevant outcomes.
A pre-conference Doctoral Workshop was organised on 14th December 2023 that had three sessions conducted by Prof. Cheryl Wachenheim, North Dakota State University, Prof. Suresh Jakhar, IIM Lucknow, and Prof. Manish Srivastava, Michigan Technological University. These sessions revolved around the essentials of publishing quality and high-impact research.
In his address, Prof. Pradeep Kumar, Convenor of AIRC 2023, noted, “Following the pandemic, we observed a surge in individuals’ contributions to business and policy. We aimed to decipher this considering the transformations introduced by the digital age. Today, as we kick off this conference, we take pride in the diverse range of research paper submissions. These papers, to be presented over the next three days, showcase exceptional insights, and we will also recognize some of the outstanding contributions with awards.”
The conference provided a collaborative platform to highlight research priorities, propose practical solutions, and enhance engagement between scholars and industry. Serving as a bridge between theoretical studies and the evolving business landscape, it addressed the dynamic challenges of today’s business environment.
Participants from across the globe had the opportunity to present and discuss their doctoral work with senior academicians and receive collaborative support for further publication. This year, more than 100 research papers were submitted to the conference by the participants, making it a rich exchange of ideas. This was intended to help participants identify interesting and pertinent research problems.
Global interest in management and policy activities necessitates examining trends at national and global levels. IIM Lucknow organises this annual conclave to contribute to the understanding of effective corporate operations and societal well-being, crucial for overall economic growth.