IMC-IRC: SOUTH ASIA’S DEFINITIVE RESEARCH CONFERENCE DEVOTED TO MANAGEMENT EDUCATION

The IMC International Research Conference (IMC-IRC) 2026 will be held on September 18–19, 2026 at the IIM Lucknow Noida Campus, alongside the 16th Indian Management Conclave (IMC). IMC-IRC is the positioned as the definitive conference in South Asia that is exclusively devoted to research in management learning and education. It brings together editors, deans, scholars, and practitioners who study how management is taught, learned, and assessed.

Management learning and education is evolving into a distinct scholarly field with its own body of knowledge and set of journals. Yet, until 2024, India, and the entire South Asian region, did not have a dedicated research forum for this domain. To fill this gap, Indian Management Conclave (IMC) partnered with XLRI Jamshedpur, India’s oldest and most respected management institutions, to launch IMC-IRC. The inaugural IMC-IRC was held on September 20–21, 2024 at XLRI Jamshedpur. Only forty papers, selected from around 150 submissions, were invited to present across six tracks. Many conference papers were published in reputed Scopus indexed journals including Management and Labour Studies (MLS).  IMC-IRC 2025 built on this foundation at the 15th IMC at IIFT New Delhi. Over 150 researchers presented papers across five tracks. Conference papers were published in reputed Scopus indexed journals. 

IMC-IRC 2025 built on this foundation at the 15th IMC at IIFT New Delhi. Again, over 150 researchers presented papers across five tracks. The two winning papers of the IMC-IRC Best Research Paper Award 2025 explored the Impact of Digital vs. Traditional Learning and the Role of Digital Platforms in Internationalisation of Management Education.

IMC-IRC 2026 Track Chairs include India’s most respected research deans and journal editors, including:

• Dr Arpan Kar, Professor & Chair in Information Systems, IIT Delhi
• Dr Chandrashekar Subramanyam, Professor Emeritus, Vijaybhoomi School of Science and Technology
• Dr Debasis Pradhan, Editor, Management and Labour Studies, Journal of XLRI Jamshedpur
• Dr G. Venkat Raman, Professor, IIM Indore
• Dr Neerja Pande, Professor Communication, IIM Lucknow
• Prof Prakash Singh, IIM Lucknow - Noida Campus
• Dr Praveen Ranjan Srivastava, Dean Research, IIM Rohtak
• Dr. Rajnish Kumar Misra, Dean, JBS, JIIT; For. Faculty, IIM Indore and IIM Kozhikode
• Dr Sachin Kumar Mangla, Dean Research, FORE Delhi 

With two successful editions, IMC-IRC 2026 enters its third year with growing ambition. IMC-IRC 2026 has received an outstanding response from the academia. 220 extended abstracts were submitted by scholars from leading B-schools. Following a rigorous, ~90 abstracts accepted for presentation. The Call for Papers is now closed.

IMC-IRC 2026 SUBMISSION DATES
The Call for Papers is now closed. Invited authors and paper presenters will directly receive the timelines and process for Paper Presentations. Schedule below is indicative.

IMC-IRC 2026 shall focus on the overarching theme of “Emerging Trends in Management Education: Inquiry, Insight, Impact”. IMC-IRC 2026 invites rigorous, original scholarship that strengthens this evidence base. The conference continues its tradition of organising papers into interrelated tracks. Each track is led by a distinguished Chair who curates presentations and provides expert feedback.

Tracks for IMC-IRC 2026

TRACK 1: Impact of AI and Digital Technologies on Work, Jobs, and the Workforce
Track 1 turns the lens on the human dimension of the AI transition — how intelligent and digital technologies are reshaping work, jobs, skills, and the everyday experience of the workforce. The papers in this track examine AI across the employment lifecycle: talent acquisition, performance management and human-centric HRM; the psychological realities of technostress, AI anxiety and burnout; and the contested conditions of platform and gig work. A strong current runs through capability — upskilling, workforce agility, adaptability and graduate employability in an AI-augmented economy. Collectively, these contributions ask a defining question for management education: as machines assume more managerial and analytical tasks, how do organisations safeguard worker dignity, wellbeing and human judgement while building a resilient, future-ready workforce?

TRACK 2: Impact of AI and Digital Technologies on Businesses, Organisations, and Markets
Track 2 examines how AI and digital technologies are transforming the enterprise itself — its strategy, governance and engagement with markets. The papers assembled here move from the boardroom to the marketplace: organisational transformation and strategic decision-making at scale; responsible-AI, ESG and enterprise governance architectures; and the rigorous question of whether sophisticated AI actually creates economic value in finance and operations. A second strand turns outward to customers and markets: AI-shaped consumer behaviour, virtual and immersive commerce, agentic e-commerce, influencer marketing, digital-lending risk and cross-border trade. Together, these studies interrogate not merely whether firms adopt AI, but how they govern it responsibly and convert it into durable business value — a central concern for the managers of tomorrow and the institutions that prepare them.

TRACK 3: AI-Enabled Curriculum, Pedagogy, Learning, and Engagement in Management Education
This track explores how AI and digital technologies are transforming management education. It examines new approaches to curriculum design, teaching methods, learning experiences, and student engagement. Papers on AI-enabled curriculum, GenAI in classrooms, adaptive learning, AI-driven assessment, and student engagement models are invited. Papers on other related areas are welcome.

TRACK 4: Teaching Methodologies and Pedagogical Innovation in Management Education
This track examines pedagogical innovation that enhances learning outcomes in management education. It explores both classroom and work-integrated learning approaches. Papers on case-based teaching, experiential learning, simulations, flipped classrooms, internships, business games and competitions, and project-based learning are invited. Submissions addressing other related themes are also welcome.

TRACK 5: MBA Competencies, Employability, Career Advancement, and Entrepreneurship
This track examines the managerial competencies and employability skills expected of business and management graduates in a changing business context. It explores the alignment between academic programmes and industry demand. Papers on competency frameworks, employability skills, career services, industry-academia engagement, and entrepreneurship education are invited. Papers on other related areas are welcome.

Papers on other areas related to business and management education are also welcome. The final track structure will be announced after the abstract submission process.

The Call for Papers for the IMC-IRC 2026 is now closed

Participating authors will have the opportunity to submit their papers to leading Scopus-indexed Partner Journals. Papers are invited subject to the respective journal’s review process and guidelines.

IMC-IRC 2026 Partner Journals 
We welcome IMC-IRC 2026 partner journals, which include:

• Journal	Editor in Chief/ Editor	Cite Score
  Global Business Review	Kakali Kanjilal	CiteScore 12.5
  FIIB Business Review	Dr. Sudhir Rana	CiteScore 10.7
  Review of Management Literature	Dr. Sudhir Rana	CiteScore 8.4
  Business Perspectives and Research	Dr. Preeti S. Rawat	CiteScore 5.8
  Management and Labour Studies	Dr. Debasis Pradhan	CiteScore 3.5

IMC-IRC does not publish a conference proceedings volume by default, and no work is published in any form without the author’s explicit consent. IMC-IRC supports paper development through feedback from Reviewers, Track Chairs and participants. Authors of selected papers may submit their manuscripts to our Scopus-indexed Partner Journals or to a curated Book Volume, each of which follows its own independent review process; publication is at the sole discretion of the respective editorial board or book editor. Presenters are free to choose any publication avenue.

Best Research Paper Award 2026
The IMC-IRC Best Research Paper Award follows a rigorous three-stage evaluation process:

• Shortlisting by the Track Reviewers.
• Scoring by Track Chairs during the paper presentation.
• Final selection by the Jury during the Open Best Paper Presentation session.

Submission of full manuscript is mandatory for participation in the Best Paper Awards. The Award will be announced and presented at the 16th IMC 2026.

The Call for Papers in Closed. Following details are for reference only.  IMC-IRC invites original and unpublished manuscripts from academics, faculty, practitioners, and doctoral students. The submission process follows a two-stage model — Extended Abstract first, Full Paper after acceptance of abstract.

STAGE 1: EXTENDED ABSTRACT

Authors must structure the Extended Abstract around four elements:

• Purpose: Why was this study undertaken?

• Study design, methodology, and approach: How was the study conducted?

• Findings: What did the study reveal?

• Originality and value: What is the unique contribution of this study?

Abstract Format

• Length: 1,000–1,500 words

• Font: Times New Roman, 12 point

• Spacing: 1.5

• File Format: MS Word

Title Page Requirements

Manuscript title, author(s), affiliation(s), contact details of all authors, and corresponding author details.

Submission Criteria

Abstracts are evaluated on three dimensions: Relevance, Rigour of Research, and Key Contributions.

Email to receive complete abstract submission guideline to [email protected]

STAGE 2: FULL PAPER SUBMISSION

Full paper submission is mandatory for the IMC IRC Best Research Paper Award competition. It is strongly recommended, but not mandatory, for paper presentation at the conference.

Full Paper Format

• Length: 5,000–8,000 words

• Spacing: 1.5

• Font: Times New Roman, 12 point

• Margins: One inch all around

• Pages: Consecutively numbered

• File Format: MS Word

• Citation Style: APA 7th Edition (2020)

Title Page
Title, author names and affiliations, a maximum of five keywords, phone numbers and email for all authors, and the name of the corresponding author. Author names should appear only on the title page. In case of joint submissions, all correspondence will be with the first author.

Structure
Abstract (200–250 words), Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, References, and Appendices (if any). TabTables, charts, and graphs must be included within the text, and source citations where applicable.

Originality
Papers submitted to IMC-IRC must not have been published, accepted for publication, or be currently under review elsewhere.

Best Research Paper Award 2026

The IMC-IRC Best Research Paper Award follows a rigorous three-stage evaluation process:

1. Shortlisting by the assigned Track Reviewer.

2. Scoring by Track Chairs during the paper presentation.

3. Final selection by the Jury during the Open Best Paper Presentation session.

The Award will be presented at the Valedictory Session of the 16th IMC 2026 by the Chief Guest.

IIM Lucknow Noida Campus B-1, Institutional Area, Sector-62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201307. The conference is held in-person only. Accommodation is not available at the conference venue. Presenters and delegates are requested to arrange their own stay in Noida or Delhi NCR. A list of recommended hotels near the venue will be shared with registered delegates closer to the conference dates.

IMC-IRC 2026 — INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS

IMC-IRC 2026 warmly welcomes scholars from around the world. As management education becomes an increasingly global field of inquiry, IMC-IRC is committed to building a diverse, international community of researchers.

To enable wider global participation, IMC-IRC 2026 extends a special online-presentation provision to international scholars based at universities and business schools outside India, especially across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and beyond. Eligible international authors may present their accepted papers virtually.

Who Can Participate
Faculty, research scholars and doctoral students affiliated with management or business institutions outside India. At least one author per accepted paper must register.

Mode of Presentation
International authors may present online via the conference's virtual platform. It does not require any travel to India. Of course, overseas authors who wish to attend in person remain welcome to present on-site at the IIM Lucknow Noida Campus. 

Recognition & Publication
International presenters receive a Certificate of Paper Presentation, are eligible for the IMC-IRC Best Research Paper Award 2026, and may submit their work to our Scopus-indexed Partner Journals, subject to each journal's independent review.

Registration Fee
International (Foreign) Delegate: USD 50. This fee payment is required only after the acceptance of abstract for conference review committee.  Registration is closed. 

Key Dates for International Participants
The submission deadlines are as per the invitation shared with international scholars. 

How to Express Interest
International scholars are invited to register their interest at the earliest and receive the full submission package via the Call for Papers link on this page.

Q: When and where will IMC-IRC 2026 be held?

A: IMC-IRC 2026 will be held on September 18–19, 2026 at the IIM Lucknow Noida Campus, B-1, Institutional Area, Sector 62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201307. It is hosted in partnership with IIM Lucknow and held alongside the 16th Indian Management Conclave.

Q: Will accepted papers be published in Conference Proceedings or in Partner Journals?

A: IMC-IRC does not publish a conference proceedings volume by default. Authors of selected papers may submit their manuscripts for consideration to our Scopus-indexed Partner Journals, or to a curated Book Volume. All journals follow their own independent review processes, and the same applies to book volumes. Publication is at the sole discretion of the respective journal editorial board or book editor. 

IMC-IRC facilitates the paper development through feedback by reviewers, track chairs and participants. Paper presenters are not bound to publish through IMC-IRC Partner Journals or the Book Volume, and may choose publication avenues that suit them.

Q: Is virtual or hybrid participation permitted?

A: IMC-IRC 2026 is held in offline, in-person mode. For Indian Scholars, there is no virtual or hybrid presentation option. In-person engagement will offer meaningful peer feedback, networking with Editors and Track Chairs, and participation in the Best Research Paper Award sessions.

International authors may present online via the conference's virtual platform. It does not require any travel to India. Of course, overseas authors who wish to attend in person remain welcome to present on-site at the IIM Lucknow Noida Campus. 

Q: Is Full Paper submission mandatory for conference presentation?

A: Full Paper submission is mandatory only for the IMC-IRC Best Research Paper Award competition. For paper presentation at the conference, Full Paper submission is strongly recommended but not mandatory.

Q: What types of submissions are accepted?

A: IMC-IRC invites original and unpublished manuscripts from academics, faculty, practitioners, and doctoral students. Empirical papers, conceptual papers, literature reviews, case studies, and well-developed working papers are all welcome. Submissions must not have been published, accepted for publication, or be under review elsewhere. Authors with research at the data-collection or analysis stage may also submit an Extended Abstract.

Q: Are submissions on related themes such as IKS, ESG, and Sustainability accepted?

A: Yes. Submissions on Indian Knowledge Systems, ESG education, sustainability in management education, and other emerging themes are welcome, provided the paper offers a management education or management practice lens. Authors are requested to map their work to the closest track among the five announced tracks. The Call for Papers also explicitly invites papers on other related areas of scholarship in business and management education. The final track structure will be confirmed after the abstract submission process closes.

Q: What is the maximum number of co-authors permitted for a paper?

A: A maximum of four (4) authors are permitted per paper, including the corresponding author.  

Q: Are students and research scholars eligible to be co-authors?

A: Yes. Doctoral students, research scholars, and postgraduate MBA students are eligible to be listed as co-authors. Inclusion of at least one faculty member as author or co-author is mandatory.

Q: Are all co-authors required to register, or only the presenting author?

A: At least one author from an accepted paper must register for the paper to be included in conference presentations. Co-authors who wish to attend the conference in person or co-present are also requested to register individually. 

Q: What are the Registration Fees for IMC-IRC 2026?

A: The Registration Fee for IMC-IRC 2026 is INR 4,500 plus 18% GST. The fee is applicable to Faculty (Full-time), Research Scholars, and Students from Indian institutions. International (Foreign) Delegate fees is USD 50.  Registration is closed. 

This fee payment is required only after the acceptance of abstract for conference review committee.

Q: What does the registration fee include, and when does registration open?

A: The registration fee includes access to all sessions of the 16th IMC 2026, in addition to IMC-IRC paper presentations, conference materials, and a Paper Presentation Certificate. It does not include travel or accommodation. Registration opens after acceptance of Extended Abstracts.

Q: Will accommodation be provided at the conference venue?

A: No. Accommodation is not available at the IIM Lucknow Noida Campus. Presenters and delegates are requested to arrange their own stay in Noida or Delhi NCR. A list of recommended hotels near the venue will be shared with registered delegates closer to the conference dates.