Institution Name: Indian Institute of Management Indore
Event Type: International Conference
Conference Name: 16th International Conference on Excellence in Research and Education (CERE 2026)
Conference Start Date: 01-05-2026
Conference End Date: 03-05-2026
Conference Mode: Hybrid (On-site + Virtual)
About the Conference:
Conference on Excellence in Research and Education (CERE 2026) is organised annually by the Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore) since 2010. CERE has established itself as a significant platform for fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange. CERE 2026 will feature a diverse program designed to address both academic and practical dimensions of research and education. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in academic research presentations, panel discussions, and keynote speeches delivered by leading experts.
A key focus of the conference will be on providing emerging scholars with a platform to present their research and receive constructive feedback, fostering the next generation of academic leaders. The conference emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration, aiming to address global challenges through the lens of research and education excellence. By facilitating networking opportunities and promoting discussions on emerging trends, CERE 2026 seeks to stimulate innovative thinking and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. Participants will benefit from thought-provoking dialogues that enhance academic rigour and improve teaching methodologies on an international scale.
Conference Theme
“Business Excellence Reimagined: Competing in the Age of AI”
The 16th International CERE 2026 convenes scholars, industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore how business excellence is being fundamentally redefined in an era shaped by artificial intelligence. As AI transitions from a disruptive technology to a pervasive strategic capability, organisations are challenged not merely to adopt intelligent systems, but to reimagine value creation, governance, leadership, and competitive advantage itself.
The conference theme foregrounds a critical shift: excellence in the age of AI is no longer measured solely by efficiency or scale, but by an organisation’s capacity for learning, ethical judgment, adaptability, and human–machine collaboration. AI augments decision-making, reshapes markets, and accelerates innovation cycles, demanding new managerial logics, redesigned processes, and resilient organisational cultures. Competing successfully now requires integrating technological intelligence with human creativity, purpose, and trust.
CERE 2026 offers a rigorous and forward-looking platform to examine these transformations. It invites research and dialogue on AI-enabled strategy, data-driven entrepreneurship, intelligent operations, responsible and explainable AI, digital governance, workforce transformation, and sustainable business models. By bridging theory and practice, the conference aims to illuminate how enterprises can harness AI not as a substitute for human judgment, but as a catalyst for inclusive growth, ethical leadership, and long-term value creation.
With an optimistic yet critical lens, CERE 2026 aspires to shape a shared understanding of business excellence for the coming decade – one where competitiveness is grounded in innovation with responsibility, performance with purpose, and intelligence with integrity. Through collaborative inquiry and global perspectives, the conference seeks to inspire organisations to lead confidently, compassionately, and conscientiously in the age of AI.
Areas of Research (But not limited to)
- Accounting and Finance
From core financial management and accounting principles, the field has expanded into areas such as fintech, algorithmic trading, risk analytics, and forensic accounting. Research now focuses on sustainable finance, blockchain applications, and financial resilience in dynamic markets. - Economics and Public PolicyTraditionally centred on market structures and policy-making, economic research now delves into behavioural economics, sustainability, digital economies, and financial inclusion. It aims to understand how evolving global and technological landscapes influence decision-making and resource allocation.
- Business Policy and Strategic ManagementStrategic management research originated from military strategy and economic theories, initially focusing on competitive advantage and resource allocation. It has evolved to integrate innovation, sustainability, and dynamic capabilities, emphasizing long-term value creation and adaptability in the rapidly changing knowledge-driven economy.
- CommunicationInitially focused on traditional corporate and interpersonal communication, this area has evolved with the rise of digital platforms and AI-driven messaging. Research now explores media strategies, virtual collaboration, persuasive communication, and the impact of technology on human interaction.
- MarketingWhile originally centred on consumer behaviour and brand management, marketing research now explores neuromarketing, digital consumer engagement, AI-powered analytics, and the psychological impact of social media on purchasing decisions.
- Humanities and Social SciencesInitially grounded in classical theories of human behaviour and ethics, this area now integrates interdisciplinary research on workplace culture, social transformation, and the ethical implications of AI and automation in business and society.
- Operations Management and Quantitative TechniquesMoving beyond traditional process optimization and supply chain efficiency, research now focuses on AI-driven logistics, predictive modelling, sustainability in operations, and decision sciences for complex, data-heavy environments.
- Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource ManagementInitially focused on workplace motivation and leadership, OBHR now examines agile work environments, employee well-being, diversity and inclusion, gig economy dynamics, and the impact of remote work on organizational culture.
- Information Systems in ManagementEvolving from fundamental IT systems and database management, research now emphasizes digital transformation, cybersecurity, AI-driven decision-making, and the role of big data in business intelligence and innovation.
Who can participate? Students / Scholars / Academicians / Faculty / Corporate Participants
Registration Fee:
| Students/Scholars | INR 5500* |
| Faculty & Other Academicians | INR 6500* |
| Corporate Participants | INR 7500* |
| Foreign Participants | USD 250* |
*GST, as applicable, will be additional
Paper Submission Click Here
Important Dates:
- Event Dates: 01st – 03rd May 2026
- Call for Papers: 20th December 2025
- Paper Submission Begin: 05th January 2026
- Paper Submission Deadline: 15th February 2026
- Acceptance Notification: 25th March 2026
- Registration and Payment Deadline: 10th April 2026
Contact:
Tanishk Bhatt | Mahima Kumavat | Reeju Barman
Email: cere@iimidr.ac.in
Institution Website: https://iimidr.ac.in/
Venue:
Indian Institute of Management Indore
Prabandh Shikhar, Rau – Pithampur Rd,
Indore, Madhya Pradesh 453556
Conference Website: Click here
About the Institution:
Established in 1996, Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore) has been a leader in the field of management education, interfacing with the industry, government and PSUs. It is promoted and nurtured by the Ministry of Education, Government of India and is an institute of national importance under the Indian Institutes of Management Act 2017.
