IMC-IRC: INDIA’S ONLY 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 only conference in India 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 did not have a dedicated research forum for this domain. To fill this gap, Indian Management Conclave (IMC) partnered with XLRI Jamshedpur, one of 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 during the 14th IMC. It drew more than 150 authors from 9 IIMs, XLRI, SPJIMR, IRMA, NMIMS, and other leading institutions. Forty papers, selected from around 150 submissions, were presented 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. 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 Best Research Paper Award juries have been chaired and composed of some of India’s most respected research deans and journal editors, including:

• Dr Ajay Manrai, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Global Marketing
• Dr Sanjay Patro, Dean-Academics, XLRI Jamshedpur
• Dr Arpan Kar, Chair Professor, DMS and School of Artificial Intelligence, IIT Delhi

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

• Dr Sanjay Patro, Dean-Academics, XLRI Jamshedpur

• Dr Neena Sondhi, Dean-Research & Accreditations, IMI Delhi

• Dr. Praveen Ranjan Srivastava, Dean Research, IIM Rohtak

• Dr. OP Wali, Professor, Head (IT & KM Discipline), IIFT New Delhi

• Dr. Munish Kumar Thakur, Dean (Academics), XLRI Delhi NCR 

• Dr. Ranajoy Bhattacharyya, Professor, IIFT, Kolkata

• Dr Rakesh K Singh, Dean, Research and Fellow Program, IMT Ghaziabad

• Dr. Jacqueline Symss, Associate Professor, IIFT New Delhi

• Dr Preeti S Rawat, Editor-in-Chief, Business Perspectives and Research Journal

• Prof. Sachin Kumar Mangla, Dean (Research, Publications & Projects), FORE School of Management New Delhi

• Dr. Rajnish Kumar Misra, Dean, JBS, JIIT; For. Faculty, IIM Indore and IIM Kozhikode

• Dr Aditya Shankar Mishra, Editor of IIM Ranchi Journal of Management Studies

With two successful editions, IMC-IRC 2026 enters its third year with growing ambition. It is positioned as the leading scholarly platform in India for examining the key challenges and opportunities confronted by business and management education in the age of AI and technological disruptions.

IMC-IRC 2026 SUBMISSION DATES
Interested scholars are requested to follow the timelines given below.

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 Businesses, Organisations, Work, and Jobs

This track examines how AI and digital technologies are reshaping businesses and management practice. It explores the evolving nature of organisations, work, and the implications for jobs and skills. Papers on AI adoption in business functions, organisational transformation, future of work, workforce reskilling, and changing managerial roles are invited. Submissions addressing other related themes are also welcome.

Track 2: 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 3: 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 4: Academic Processes, Quality, Ethics, and Internationalisation of Management Education

This track examines academic processes, quality assurance, ethics and the internationalisation of management education. It explores how business schools can align curriculum, pedagogy, and governance with global standards while remaining locally relevant. Papers on accreditation, ranking frameworks, cross-border collaborations, foreign campuses in India, student mobility, and institutional competitiveness are invited. Papers on ethics and governance with implications for management education are welcome. Papers on other related areas are 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 open. We invite you to explore the theme and tracks, and express your interest to receive Abstract Submission package. Last date for Abstract Submission is June 14, 2026. Express your interest to submit your work via the link below. Upon registration, you will receive complete details to facilitate your abstract submission.

Express interest to submit your work

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:

• Global Business Review (CiteScore 9.5)
• FIIB Business Review (CiteScore 7.7)
• Business Perspectives and Research (CiteScore 5.8)
• Review of Management Literature (Cite Score 3.9)
• Management and Labour Studies (CiteScore 3.5)

A few other prestigious Journals have also been invited.

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.

The Award will be announced and presented at the 16th IMC 2026.

The list of IMC-IRC 2026 partner journals will be published soon.

Registration for IMC-IRC 2026 will open after acceptance of Extended Abstracts. The conference is held exclusively in offline, in-person mode. At least one author from an accepted paper must register for the paper to be included in conference presentations.

Delegate Categories & Fees

Registration includes access to all sessions of the 16th IMC 2026 in addition to IMC-IRC paper presentations. Registration does not include travel, and accommodation.

For delegate-only (non-IRC participants) registration, IMC Conclave Delegate Registration Rules apply. See the IMC 2026 Registration page.

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). Tables, charts, and graphs must be on separate sheets with clear titles 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.

IMC-IRC 2026 Submission Dates 
Interested scholars are requested to follow the timelines given below.

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.

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: No. IMC-IRC 2026 is held exclusively in offline, in-person mode. There is no virtual or hybrid presentation option. In-person engagement is essential for meaningful peer feedback, networking with Editors and Track Chairs, and participation in the Best Research Paper Award sessions.

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 three (3) 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. This is payable only after the Abstract is accepted. 

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.