University of Southern Punjab

1st International Research Conference on Business Management
(April 12, 2026)

1st International Research Conference on Business & Management (IRCBM 2026)
Transforming Global Business through Innovation, Sustainability, and Digitalization

Introduction

To be hosted at the Southern Business School, University of Southern Punjab, Multan, Pakistan, on 12 April 2026, the 1st International Research Conference on Business & Management (IRCBM 2026) reflects the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, impactful research, and the advancement of knowledge that supports sustainable economic and organizational development.

Located in the historic city of Multan, the conference will provide a vibrant academic environment featuring scholarly presentations, keynote sessions by renowned national and international experts, and opportunities for publication in HEC Y-category recognized journals. The event also offers a valuable platform for networking and collaboration among researchers, academicians, industry professionals, and policymakers.

The International Research Conference on Business & Management stands as a premier academic forum dedicated to exploring how innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation are reshaping contemporary business practices across the globe. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving market dynamics, the conference emphasizes forward-looking strategies, responsible business models, and digital solutions that enhance organizational resilience and competitiveness.

The conference will serve as a multidisciplinary platform for intellectual exchange across key domains of business and management. It will highlight innovative research and practical insights in areas such as entrepreneurship, digital business analytics, sustainable and green management practices, strategic management, finance and fintech, marketing, human resource management, and public policy. Through this collaborative and research-driven engagement, IRCBM 2026 aims to foster new ideas, strengthen academic–industry linkages, and contribute meaningful solutions to emerging global business challenges.

Pre-Conference Workshops

As part of the 1st International Research Conference on Business & Management (IRCBM 2026), the Southern Business School, University of Southern Punjab, is pleased to offer a series of specialized pre-conference workshops designed to enhance research capacity and academic excellence.

One of the featured pre-conference workshops is titled “Writing High-Quality Research Papers for HEC-Recognized and Impact Factor Journals.” This workshop is specifically designed for faculty members, researchers, doctoral scholars, and postgraduate students who aspire to publish their work in reputable national and international journals. Led by experienced researchers and academic editors, the session will focus on developing strong research manuscripts, structuring papers according to journal standards, selecting appropriate journals, and effectively responding to reviewers’ comments. Participants will gain practical insights into improving research quality, increasing citation potential, and aligning scholarly work with international publication benchmarks.

Another important component of the pre-conference activities is the workshop on “Developing Competitive Research Proposals for International Scholarships and Research Grants.” This session aims to support early-career researchers and aspiring scholars seeking funded research and higher education opportunities at the global level. Facilitated by senior academicians and experienced proposal reviewers, the workshop will guide participants through the complete proposal development process—from identifying relevant funding opportunities and understanding donor expectations to formulating clear research objectives, methodologies, and impact statements. Participants will also receive guidance on proposal structuring, budgeting fundamentals, and presenting research ideas convincingly. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped with practical tools and confidence to develop strong, competitive proposals for international scholarships and research grants.

Submission Guidelines / Call for Papers (CFP)

The 1st International Research Conference on Business & Management (IRCBM 2026) invites high-quality research contributions that examine how innovation, sustainability, and digitalization are transforming global business environments and socio-economic systems. Scholars, researchers, practitioners, and postgraduate students are encouraged to submit original and unpublished research aligned with the conference theme and its specialized tracks.

Conference Tracks

Authors may submit abstracts under any of the following tracks:

Track 1: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Track 2: Digital Transformation and Business Analytics
Track 3: Sustainable Business Practices and Green Management
Track 4: Strategic Management and Corporate Governance
Track 5: Marketing, Consumer Behavior, and Brand Management
Track 6: Finance, Banking, and FinTech
Track 7: Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior
Track 8: Economics, Public Policy, and Development Studies

All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer-review process to ensure academic rigor, relevance, originality, and contribution to theory and practice.

All submissions must be original and free from plagiarism. Papers with a similarity index exceeding 19% (excluding references) will be rejected without review. The conference strictly adheres to the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan, ethical research and publication guidelines.

Abstract Formatting Guidelines
Authors must adhere to the following standards:

Requirement Specification
File Format
Microsoft Word (.docx) or PDF
Font & Size
Times New Roman, 12 pt
Spacing
1.5-line spacing
Word Limit
Word Limit Abstract: 150–300 words (excluding references)

Submission Process

  • All abstracts must be submitted electronically through the online submission portal.
  • Each submission should include a title page and an anonymized version of the abstract for blind review.
  • Note: Submissions received after the stated deadline will not be accepted. Authors are advised to complete submissions well in advance to avoid technical issues.

Important Dates

Activity Deadline
Final Abstract Submission Deadline
March 02, 2026
Full paper Submission
March 15, 2026
Attendees Registration
March 30, 2026

Publications

Selected high-quality research papers presented at the 1st International Research Conference on Business & Management (IRCBM 2026) will be considered for publication in HEC-recognized journals, subject to successful completion of the peer-review process, compliance with individual journal guidelines, and incorporation of required reviewer revisions.

The potential publication outlets include:

  • Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences
  • Jinnah Business Review
  • Journal of Management and Administrative Sciences
  • iRASD Journal of Educational Research (JER)
  • Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Publication decisions will be made by the respective journal editorial boards in accordance with their established review policies and publication standards

Conference Committees

Patron

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar

Rector, University of Southern Punjab

Advisor

Prof. Dr. Hayat Ahmad Awan

Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences

Chief Organizer

Dr. Muhammad Azeem Ahmad

Head, Southern Business School

Organizing Committee

• Dr. Zeeshan Ahmed
• Mr. Muhammad Hammad
• Mr. Imran Farooq
• Ms. Ume Farwa

Management & Sponsorship Committee

• Ms. Nida Athar
• Ms. Khadija Hassan
• Mr. Ali Ahmad
• Ms. Samra Kausar
• Ms. Sonia Hassan

Publication Committee

• Dr. Ayesha Rasheed
• Dr. Lala Rukh Shabbir
• Dr. Abdul Rauf Kashif
• Dr. Mishal Khosa
• Dr. Nadir Munir Hassan
• Dr. Zeeshan Ahmed

Social Media Committee

• Mr. Sadam Rasool
• Ms. Kiran Kausar
• Ms. Nimra Babar
• Mr. Sohail Aziz