|
|
|
Special Tracks
Track Chair: Dr. Sami Ben Jabeur, ESDES Business School, France This track explores how explainable artificial intelligence (xAI) is transforming economics and finance by making complex models transparent and decisions more accountable. We welcome research and case studies on xAI applications in financial forecasting, risk management, algorithmic trading, portfolio optimization, and regulatory compliance. Participants will gain insights into cutting-edge methods that bridge AI innovation with practical, trustworthy financial decision-making. _______________
Track Chairs: Dr. Maria Giuseppina Bruna, IPAG Business School, Paris, France; Dr. Ahmed Imran Hunjra, IPAG Business School, Paris, France This Track integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into financial decisions, aiming for long-term positive impact beyond profit. This approach reflects a growing shift from shareholder to stakeholder values, gaining traction among investors, institutions, and policymakers. It raises key questions about aligning financial performance with societal and environmental goals, managing risk, and valuing new asset classes. As demand for ESG integration rises, finance is evolving into a tool for broader impact. The field now plays a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through responsible investing, ethical governance, and strategic capital allocation. _______________
Track Chair: Dr. Salma Mefteh-Wali, ESSCA School of Management, France Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are crucial to economic development, yet they face growing challenges in integrating sustainability and ESG principles into their strategic and operational practices. This track invites research exploring how SMEs adopt and implement environmental, social, and governance frameworks while maintaining competitiveness, innovation, and resilience. It seeks to advance understanding of the drivers, barriers, and performance outcomes of ESG integration, emphasizing the role of digital transformation, sustainable finance, and circular economy models in supporting the sustainability transition of SMEs. _______________
Track Chair: Dr. Amine Lahiani, University of Orléans, France Climate action needs funding, and this is where AI and fintech can play a transformative role. These technologies are changing how money flows into renewable energy—think smarter investment decisions, better carbon market tracking, and easier access to green financing. The focus is to explore whether these digital tools can actually speed up the shift to clean energy, and what kind of financial systems are needed to scale this transformation effectively. _______________
Track Chairs: Dr. Foued Saadaoui, Rabat Business School, UIR, Morocco; Dr. Chouhaïd Souissi, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, Tunisia; Dr. Souhir Ben Amor, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany This track focuses on the latest methodological and empirical advances in modeling, analyzing, and forecasting energy and electricity markets. It welcomes contributions employing mathematical modeling, statistical inference, econometrics, and machine learning to address the growing challenges of volatility, uncertainty, and sustainability in modern power systems. _______________
Track Chairs: Dr. Imad El Harraki, ENSMR, Rabat, Morocco; Dr. Abdelbari Redoune, ENSMR, Rabat, Morocco
This track addresses the role of supply chains in achieving carbon neutrality, including energy transitions, emissions reduction, and sustainable operations. Key words: Carbon neutrality, energy transition, green supply chain, sustainability, decarbonization. _______________
Track Chairs: Dr. Sofiene Dellagi, LGIPM, University of Lorraine, France; Dr. Zied Achour, LGIPM, University of Lorraine, France This track highlights technological and operational innovations in agriculture, addressing sustainability, productivity, and smart farming practices. Key words: Agri-operations, smart farming, precision agriculture, sustainability, food supply chains. _______________
Track Chairs: Dr. Sunil Tiwari, Bristol School of Business, UK; Dr. Sachin Kamble, EDHEC Business School, Lille, France This track explores the intersection of IS and healthcare, focusing on digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and health information systems. Key words: Information systems, healthcare analytics, digital health, e-health, decision support. _______________
Track Chairs: Dr. Omar Bentahar, IAE Metz, University of Lorraine, France; Dr. Smail Benzidia, IAE Metz, University of Lorraine, France This track invites contributions on the role of IS in managing projects and supply chains, emphasizing integration, coordination, and performance optimization. Key words: Project management, supply chain information systems, ERP, coordination, integration. _______________
Track Chair: Dr. Abdessamad Raghibi, Ibn Zohr University, Morocco This track explores the multidimensional impacts of climate risks on emerging economies, focusing on financial vulnerability, access to financing, policy responses, and resilience strategies. It aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on how climate-related risks shape economic stability and sustainable development in these regions. _______________
Track Chair: Dr. Wissal Ben Arfi, Paris School of Business, France This track focuses on the critical nexus between water resources and climate change, highlighting innovative strategies for sustainable management under increasing environmental pressures. We invite papers addressing water scarcity, resilience planning, adaptive governance, and climate-smart technologies. The track encourages dialogue among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to develop integrated approaches for a more sustainable water future. _______________
Track Chairs: Dr. Manuel Alector Ribeiro, Surrey Business School, University of Surrey, UK; Dr. Senija Causevic, Rabat Business School, UIR, Morocco This track explores the concept of “sustainable tourism”, examining and explaining regenerative models, sector conflicts (e.g., tourism versus deep-sea mining), and how African nations can assert their marine sovereignty to ensure tourism benefits local communities. We welcome submissions focusing on all of Africa, from the north to the south, at all stages of research, including work in progress and completed studies. The themes to explore include, but are not limited to: Decolonising Development: New Paradigms and African Sovereignty; Economic Justice and Inclusive Finance; The Spatial Squeeze: Governance, Conflict, and Coastal Access; The Authenticity Crisis: Beyond Greenwashing and Certification ; The Climate Frontier: Risk, Ethics, and Resilience; Innovating the "Blue Offer": Diversification and Heritage; Tourism as Regeneration: Conservation Finance and Net-Positive Impact; Political conflict, ocean grabbing, injustice and suffering versus tourism and the blue economy. _______________
Track Chair: Dr. Muzhar Javed, Rabat Business School, UIR, Morocco Organizations today are navigating a VUCA world characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. Within this context, the future of work is being reshaped by rapid technological disruptions—particularly artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, robotics, and digital transformation—while simultaneously facing pressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This track invites research that explores how Responsible Human Resource Management (HRM), Responsible Organizational Behaviour (OB), and Responsible Leadership can evolve to address these disruptions and challenges. The focus is on balancing technological advancements with human dignity, ethical decision-making, and sustainable outcomes. We welcome theoretical, empirical, and practice-based contributions that critically examine responsibility in managing people and leading organizations in a technology-intensive, sustainability-driven future. _______________
Track Chair: Dr. Fauzia Syed, Rabat Business School, UIR, Morocco In recent years, people have started to rethink what work, management, and leadership mean. Organizations are dealing with fast technological changes, changing workforce demographics, global uncertainty, and growing demands for purpose and sustainability. How people work, cooperate, and build their careers is changing faster than traditional management ideas can keep up with. This track invites contributions from scholars and practitioners exploring how individuals and organizations adapt, humanize, and innovate to remain sustainable and competitive. It integrates four perspectives that together define organizational transformation in the twenty-first century: (1) Adaptive Organizations and the Future of Human Potential - agility, resilience, and continuous learning as foundations of renewal, (2) Inclusive and Humane Workplaces in the Post - Algorithmic Era - rehumanizing work, fostering belonging, and balancing AI with empathy, (3) Entrepreneurial Mindset, Innovation, and Sustainable Competitiveness - leveraging creativity, intrapreneurship, and digital innovation for renewal, (4) The Future of Work, Technology, and Human Agency - the evolving meaning of work in the age of AI, automation, and hybrid structures, identity, motivation, and human contribution, and human agency protection, ethics in digital contexts. _______________
Track Chairs: Dr. Albrecht Fritzsche, IEDC Bled School of Management, Slovenia; Dr. Senija Causevic, Rabat Business School, UIR, Morocco; Dr. Reinhard Bachmann, University of London, UK Trust can be described as a fundamental mechanism that plays a crucial role in social interaction at various levels. It is essential for simplifying complexity in social systems, allowing individuals and organisations to navigate uncertainty and establish relationships. The track encourages research and ongoing studies that explore the different components of trust within complex systems, emphasising the connections between social sciences, philosophy, engineering, and management. Possible research topics include, but are not limited to: trust in digital technology such as artificial intelligence, robots, and big data; the role of institutions as mediators of trust; leadership within organisations and system trust; the impact of social media and echo chambers on core trust; the meaning of truth and perceptions of trustworthiness; system trust and leadership in organisations; trustworthy education to foster trust; healthcare AI and trust; trust and autopoiesis in social systems; and others. We welcome contributions that combine both theoretical insights and practical examples to enhance our understanding. _______________
Track Chair: Dr. Youssef El Archi, Centre for Tourism Research, Development and Innovation, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Portugal The tourism and leisure sectors are undergoing a profound transformation driven by rapid technological innovation and changing consumer expectations. Emerging technologies-such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, virtual and augmented reality, smart tourism systems, blockchain, and mobile applications-are reshaping how consumers search for information, make travel decisions, and experience destinations (Pencarelli, 2020; Buhalis et al., 2019). This track aims to explore the interplay between technology adoption and consumer behavior in the context of tourism and leisure. It seeks to understand how technology influences tourists’ perceptions, motivations, satisfaction, and loyalty, as well as how organizations can strategically leverage innovation to create sustainable and personalized experiences. Topics of interest (include but are not limited to): Determinants of technology adoption in tourism and leisure; The role of digital platforms and social media in shaping tourist behavior; Artificial intelligence, personalization, and consumer experience in tourism; Virtual and augmented reality applications in travel decision-making; Smart tourism ecosystems and data-driven consumer insights; Trust, privacy, and ethical concerns in technology-enabled tourism; Post-pandemic shifts in digital consumer behavior; Technology acceptance models in tourism contexts; The impact of gamification and immersive technologies on leisure activities; Cross-cultural perspectives on digital adoption in tourism. The track will foster interdisciplinary dialogue and contribute to the development of theoretical and practical insights into: How technologies reshape consumer decision-making and behavior; How tourism and leisure organizations can enhance competitiveness and sustainability through digital innovation; New frameworks and models explaining technology adoption and consumer experience. _______________
Track Chairs: Dr. Michael Oyedele Oyenuga, School of Business, Woxsen University, India; Dr. Emmanuel Mogaji, Keele Business School, Keele University, UK; Dr. Nnamdi Madichie, School of Business, Woxsen University, India This track explores how marketing and brand strategy are evolving in response to global volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. It will focus on how organisations, particularly in emerging markets, can build resilient, ethically aligned, and culturally grounded brands that foster trust, drive sustainability, and engage stakeholders meaningfully. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: Strategic brand narratives for climate-conscious and socially responsible businesses; Ethical marketing practices and experiential value creation; Digital storytelling and consumer engagement in sustainability transitions; Marketing innovation for MSMEs and social enterprises; Cross-cultural branding and inclusive communication; Metrics and KPIs for purpose-driven marketing impact. _______________
Track Chair: Dr. Fauzia Jabeen, College of Business & Economics, United Arab Emirates University, UAE In today’s rapidly evolving VUCA environment, entrepreneurial and innovation-driven solutions are critical for addressing complex sustainability challenges. This track invites contributions that investigate how entrepreneurs, innovators, and ecosystem actors develop and scale sustainable business models that balance economic viability with social equity and environmental stewardship. We encourage research examining sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship, social and green ventures, circular economy practices, inclusive and frugal innovation, and the role of emerging technologies such as AI, digital platforms, blockchain, and renewable energy in enabling sustainable transformation. Submissions may focus on the institutional, cultural, regulatory, and ecosystem-level enablers or constraints that shape entrepreneurial behavior toward sustainability and offers robust theoretical and practical insights. _______________
Track Chairs: Dr. Samuel Fosso Wamba, TBS Education, Toulouse, France; Dr. Khaled Hussainey, Bangor Business School, Bangor University, UK; Dr. Slimane Ed-Dafali, ENCG, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco In recent years, the business context has recognized a variety of changes in the processes and strategies of companies and institutions. The current extent of ecological, energetic and social issues all over the world has proved to have negative consequences on the financial outcomes and resilience of companies. Hence, investors, communities and policymakers demand that companies adopt more proper environmental, social and governance ESG practices. These initiatives push firms to implement their operations and core activities while ensuring that they do not harm the environment or social welfare. At the same time, firms adhere to good governance practices of transparency, accountability, equity and legitimacy. However, with increasing challenges of ESG risks (including unfair working conditions, carbon emissions, symbolic ESG activities, greenwashing, unreliable ESG data, etc.), it is now more important than ever for managers, investors and regulatory bodies to find solutions to overcome these emerging issues. This track aims to analyze and explore the potential benefits, drivers, enablers and barriers of fintech and metaverse in order to develop more proper ESG practices and reporting. We invite academics to investigate further into this field and to explore how to leverage these advanced technologies to refine ESG frameworks. Our topics of interest include but are not limited to: Fintech innovations in sustainable finance and ESG integration; Metaverse for ESG data analytics and reporting; Blockchain applications for transparent ESG reporting; The environmental impact and governance challenges of the Metaverse; Policy, governance and regulatory frameworks for digital sustainability integration. _______________
Track Chair: Dr. Said Azelmad, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Moulay Ismail University, Morocco This Track explores the convergence of eGovernment, in the era of Management 4.0, and digital transformation in financial management. It focuses on Morocco’s modernization efforts to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public expenditure management. This track encourages collaboration among academics, practitioners, and policymakers to leverage eGovernment for fiscal sustainability and good governance. It emphasizes institutional frameworks and managerial innovations that link eFinance with good governance and sustainability, in relation to the themes below. Topics of Interest (include but are not limited to): eGovernment for Sustainable Public Financial Governance; Digital Transformation, AI and Integrated Financial Management Systems; Institutional Capacity-Building for Fiscal Sustainability; eProcurement and Digital Public Procurement Systems for Good Governance; Data Analytics and AI and XAI for Transparent Budgeting; Sustainability and Accountability in the era of eFinance; Public–Private Collaboration in Digital Fiscal Innovation. _______________
Track Chair: Dr. Hanae Lrhoul, School of Information Sciences, Morocco In a VUCA business environment, the ability to access, reuse and co-create knowledge has become a strategic capability. Opening research outputs and educational resources is therefore not only a matter of transparency; it builds a shared knowledge infrastructure that widens access to information, reduces the costs of mobilizing scientific knowledge, and accelerates technology transfer. When this openness is strategically aligned with business needs, it becomes a lever for innovation, competitiveness and sustainability. This track examines how open access, open data, open educational resources, open science to society and its challenges, open science on sharing of information for the benefits of society, businesses, and science; and open innovation can strengthen organizations, especially in African contexts. It will show how shared and interoperable knowledge systems can support digital transformation, enable university/industry/society collaboration. _______________
Track Chairs: Dr. Nikhilesh (Nik) Dholakia, University of Rhode Island, USA; Dr. Delphine Godefroit Winkel, Toulouse Business School Casablanca, Morocco In today’s world that appears to be hyperconnected, sustainability is no longer just a policy concern, it has become a digital performance. From AI-driven recommendation engines shaping our purchasing habits to algorithmic “green” badges on e-commerce platforms, the promise of ethical consumption is increasingly mediated by data, machine learning, and behavioural design. Consumers are invited to "do good" with every click, but behind the glossy interface lies a more profound contradiction: sustainability has become a product, its values packaged, sold, and optimised for profit. This track questions the rise of performative sustainability in the digital age-where greenwashing is not just about misleading claims, but about subtle manipulation through personalisation, predictive analytics, and emotional branding. As AI systems learn what we value, they reinforce consumer behaviours that align with corporate narratives, turning moral choices into algorithmically guided transactions. We ask: Can genuine ethical agency survive in an environment where every decision is anticipated, curated, and monetised? Drawing on critical discourse analysis, post-consumerist theory, and digital sociology, this session challenges the myth that individual consumption can drive systemic change. Instead, it asks us to rethink how ethics, technology, and power intersect in the marketplace—urging us to look beyond the screen and question who controls the story of sustainability. Potential topics include, but are not limited to: Greenwashing in the Age of Activist consumers: When Sustainability Becomes a Branding Tool; From Ethical Shopping to Resistance: Reclaiming Agency in Consumer Culture; Digital Platforms and the Algorithmic Shaping of Sustainable Desires; Can Consumers Be Agents of Change, or will they remain simple targets?
|
