June 2 , 2026: The sixth edition of the Management Education and Research Colloquium (MERC 2026) concluded successfully at the Indian Institute of Management Kashipur, bringing together scholars, faculty members, researchers, and practitioners from across the country for two days of intellectual exchange, research presentations, and academic networking.
The colloquium commenced on 29 May 2026 with registration and kit distribution, followed by the inaugural ceremony. The event began with opening remarks by the Student Organising Committee, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and an inspiring address by the Director of IIM Kashipur. Participants also had the opportunity to interact informally during the inaugural networking session and group photograph.
The first day featured two distinguished keynote sessions. Prof. Anand Nair delivered an engaging session on “Reimagining Management in an Era of Poly-Crisis: Navigating Technology, Sustainability & Resilience,” highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing contemporary organizations. Later in the day, Prof. G. Sridhar presented thought-provoking insights on “The Entangled Marketplace: Marketing Systems in a Polycrisis World,” encouraging participants to rethink market dynamics in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain environment.
The evening concluded with a keynote address by Prof. Edward Freeman, renowned for his contributions to stakeholder theory. His session, “Business and the Polycrisis: A Stakeholder Approach,” emphasized the role of businesses in creating value for a broad range of stakeholders while addressing complex global challenges.
The second day began with a keynote lecture by Prof. Jeffrey M. Wooldridge, who spoke on “Simple, Flexible Strategies for Estimating Causal Effects with Staggered Interventions.” The session provided valuable methodological insights for researchers working with causal inference and longitudinal data. This was followed by an interactive workshop conducted by Prof. Sushanta Kumar Mishra on “Understanding Nonlinear Relationships,” equipping participants with practical tools and perspectives for advanced research analysis.
A major highlight of MERC 2026 was the presentation of research papers across multiple thematic tracks. Scholars from diverse institutions presented their ongoing and completed research, receiving valuable feedback from track chairs, discussants, and fellow researchers. The discussions fostered interdisciplinary learning and encouraged future research collaborations.
The event concluded with the Valedictory Ceremony held on the evening of 30 May 2026. The ceremony celebrated the contributions of participants, faculty members, reviewers, track chairs, and organizing committee members who played a vital role in the success of the colloquium. The much-awaited Best Paper Awards were also announced during the ceremony, recognizing outstanding scholarly contributions presented during the conference.
Best Paper Award Winners:
- Winner – Radhika R, IIM Lucknow, Paper Title – The Relational Cost Of Paradoxical Leader Behaviors
- 1st Runner Up- Sweta Gupta, IIM Lucknow, Paper Title – Algorithm Versus Manager: Perceived Fairness In Evaluation Procedures
- 2nd Runner Up – Monika Alhan, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Paper Title – A Self Determination Perspective: Employee Engagement In Metaverse Based Training
In their closing remarks, the organizers expressed gratitude to all speakers, participants, and stakeholders for their enthusiastic engagement and support. MERC 2026 once again reaffirmed its commitment to fostering rigorous academic inquiry, meaningful dialogue, and collaborative knowledge creation. Participants are scheduled to take part in a nature excursion on 31 May 2026, providing an informal opportunity for networking and interaction beyond the conference sessions.
