The “Innovations to Tackle Global Sustainability Challenges” Conference will be hosted at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in collaboration with the Centers for International Business Education and Research at Indiana University, The George Washington University, and Georgia Institute of Technology.
“Innovations to Tackle Global Sustainability Challenges” Conference
May 15 to 17, 2025 | Bloomington, Indiana
Conference overview
The purpose of this biennial conference is to bring together active and leading worldwide scholars to share their research on important emerging concepts, themes, and methodologies on the topic of global sustainability. We hope that by forming this leading community of global sustainability researchers, the conference will strengthen international business scholarship in sustainability-related research areas; foster thought-provoking interdisciplinary discussions; engage dialogues between scholars and society, including practitioners and educators; and contribute frontier insights to addressing global sustainability challenges.
Research themes of the conference include, but are not limited to:
- Characteristics of innovations to tackle global sustainability challenges
- Measurements of global sustainability progress and performance
- Microfoundations of corporate global sustainability strategy
- The role of digital technologies in global sustainability
- The role of civil society organizations in global sustainability
- The relationship between transparency and global sustainability
- The relationship between corporate governance and global sustainability
- The relationship between deglobalization and corporate sustainability strategy
- Diffusion of sustainability in global value chains
- Similarities and differences between social and environmental sustainability
- Cultural implications for global sustainability
- Policy implications for global sustainability
- Cross-country comparative studies in sustainability practices
- Cross-disciplinary research insights on global sustainability
- Theory and method challenges in conducting sustainability research
In addition to prominent scholars of global sustainability research, the conference will invite business executives to share their experiences, insights, and challenges in tackling global sustainability challenges via panels/keynotes. The conference will also offer a workshop on global sustainability pedagogy to meet the rapidly growing demand for higher education to incorporate relevant topics into university curriculum design.
Conference format and accommodations
The conference will be held May 15 to 17, 2025, on the campus of Indiana University Bloomington (ranked #1 in “The Most Beautiful College Campuses for 2024” by bestvalueschools.org).
Conference details
Authors who wish to present their papers at the conference should submit a maximum seven-page (single-spaced) proposal through our online submission portal by January 15, 2025. Proposals will be selected, and authors will be notified and invited by February 1, 2025.
Young Scholar Best Paper Award
This esteemed award is granted to a paper that has been accepted for featured presentation and is authored by either a doctoral student or a scholar who graduated from the PhD program within the past year. It underscores our commitment to recognizing emerging talent and fostering fresh perspectives to this field of research.
Best Phenomena-based Paper
This esteemed award is granted to a paper that has been accepted for featured presentation and has demonstrated exceptional contributions to our understanding of phenomena through significant managerial or policy implications.
Best Conference Paper
This esteemed award is granted to a paper that has been accepted for featured presentation and contributes significantly to the intellectual discourse within the conference theme. The paper is selected based on its originality, depth of analysis, and overall impact, reflecting the highest standards of academic excellence.
Conference registration will be available February 1, 2025.
Registered participants are encouraged to stay at either the Grant Street Inn or Springhill Suites. You’ll enjoy upscale accommodations and first-rate amenities within walking distance of the Indiana University campus—and you’ll be steps away from some of Bloomington’s best dining, shopping, arts, entertainment, and nightlife.
For the Grant Street Inn call 1-812-334-2353 or email gsi@grantstinn.com and ask for the Sustainability Conference block. There are three room types available on a first come, first served basis: king room with sofa ($111.75 plus tax/per night), king room ($104.25 plus tax/per night), and a queen room ($96.75 plus tax/per night).
For the Springhill Suites book online or call 812-337-7772 and ask for the Sustainability Conference block. The rooms are queen rooms with 2 beds ($143.00 plus tax/per night).
The room blocks at either location are only available through April 15, 2025, so be sure to book early. Breakfast is included in the room rate at both locations.
Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is the closest airport, about 45 miles north of Bloomington. Due to the distance, taxi rides are discouraged but shuttle and limousine services are available. GO Express Travel (800-589-6004) offers round-trip transportation between Indianapolis International Airport and Bloomington seven days a week, several times a day.
In addition, the following limousine services are also available with private and shared rides: Classic Touch Limousine Service, 800-319-0082 GO Express Travel, 800-589-6004
Contact information
For questions regarding the academic program, please contact conference Chairs Stephanie Wang (slwang@iu.edu) or Joel Gehman (jgehman@email.gwu.edu). For questions on the teaching workshop, please contact Co-Chair Zolboo Dashmyagmar (zodash@iu.edu). For questions on conference registration, housing, and logistics, please contact Britt Rust at (bcrust@iu.edu).
“I especially appreciated the multidisciplinary nature of the conference–I have new ideas and a more holistic understanding of the ESG topic thanks to insights from other fields.”
2023 conference attendee
