Bhubaneswar, December, 2019: Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur (IIM-S), one of the most promising and innovating management institutions among the new generation IIMs of the country hosted the 13th Annual ISDSI Conference, an International Conference of Indian Subcontinent Decision Sciences Institute (ISDSI). The theme of the three-day conference was “Managing Industry Transformation in Post-Digital Era”. The main objective of this conference was to provide a platform for academicians, researchers and practitioners to disseminate research, providing insights into the challenges, opportunities, emerging strategies and analytical tools in the domain of decision making, present case studies on application of tools and techniques and explore cutting- edge ideas, results and share experiences. The conference was attended by over 300 professors, scholar and industry managers from USA, China, Europe, New Zeeland, South Africa and India. More than 200 research papers were presented during the 3 days of the conference. The participants from India included directors and deans of many IIMs, ISB, MDI, IITs, JNU, NITs, XLRI.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, President, ISDSI and Director, Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur said, “The world is now moving from the digital to the post digital age. Modern and innovative technologies will continue to test us and create new and complex challenges for us. With the advancement of technology, we must also keep on reinventing ourselves to survive in this era. The research focus of IIM Sambalpur is around 3 D’s (Digitalisation, De-carbonisation and Democratisation of Business) which fits perfectly with the focal theme. This conference is an effort to keep the industry updated on current and future developments and help the stakeholders prepare for the disruptive period that we are about to enter. The post digital era will witness the emergence of Quantum Computing, Block chain systems and Bit Coin currency and all these will impose radical disruptions in industry as well as in management and governance. The University, Management Institutes and Industry will have to acquaint with this disruptive change in order to remain relevant in the post digital era.” 

The three days of the conference witnessed workshops, panel discussions and keynote addresses by dignitaries from the country and across the globe. Among the noteworthy personalities were Prof Ronald Uhlig, National College of Professional studies, San Diego, USA, Prof. Antony Paulraj, Department of Entrepreneurship, Marketing & Management Systems, Nottingham University Business School, China, Prof. Vijay R. Kannan, President, Decision Science Institute, USA, Mr Anurag Batra, Chairman & Editor-In-Chief, BW Businessworld, Prof. Runa Sarkar, IIM Calcutta, Prof Kamlesh Mehta, National University, San Diego, USA, Prof. Ramachandran Natarajan, College of Business, Tennessee Tech University Cookeville, USA, Prof Arun Elias, Victoria Business School, New Zealand, Dr. Sudhansu Sarangi, IPS, Commissioner of Police of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, Prof B Metri, Director, IIM Trichi, Prof Bharat Bhaskar, Director, IIM Raipur and Prof Chandan Chowdhary, Sr Associate Dean, ISB Hydrabad.

All the sessions stayed in line with the main theme while suggesting ways on how management institutes and the industry stakeholders can continue to thrive in the post digital era and the role of B-schools in this age. The sessions focused on how leaders can make the best use of available resources to leverage traditional strengths and capacities to the fullest. This will require a new thinking, making sense of changing markets, developing new strategic directions and energizing people. Leaders will have to think bigger and different, to harness the growth potential of new markets and technologies, to redefine markets in their own vision and engage in more relevant and inspiring ways. They will have to be able to define new purpose and strategy, innovate business models and brands, harness networks and movements, to create a positive impact and make a real difference to people’s lives.

The Indian Subcontinent Decision Sciences Institute (ISDSI), a region of the DSI, is an interdisciplinary global think tank organisation of dedicated to the advancement of the science and practice of education and research about managerial decisions. The Institute promotes excellence in research and advancement and seeks to serve current and future developmental needs of graduate students, faculty, and industry practitioners. To pursue this mission, the Institute facilitates the development and dissemination of knowledge in the diverse disciplines of the decision sciences through publication, conferences, and other services.