“Focus on solution-oriented research to address challenges the industry facing today,” Experts advised scholars at IIM Kashipur’s MERC

With 295 participants from premier institutes of the country, Northern India’s largest three-day-long Scholars’ Conclave, Management Education And Research Colloquium (MERC), kick-started on Friday at the Indian Institute of Management, Kashipur.

MERC is a scholars’ conclave pioneered by IIM Kashipur to celebrate knowledge, innovation, and collaboration in the field of management education and research. It is a dynamic platform where brilliant minds from nationwide converge to share their groundbreaking research, exchange ideas, understand the latest research trends, and foster meaningful collaborations.

Researchers and scholars spanning from a dozen IITs and NITs, 10 IIMs, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University, Delhi University, Central University, and other premier institutes of the country have gathered to present their research papers and get insightful suggestions from experts and race for the best paper award. Apart from government institutes, scholars from private institutes have also turned up in large numbers at the conclave.

With close to 50% female participants, IIM Kashipur received 720 papers but shortlisted 300 applications with topics such as artificial intelligence in E-commerce, India’s COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy, Exposing online shopping, unintended consequences of lotteries, the life of Gig workers, and another relevant research.

The three best research papers will be awarded with a sum of Rs 25,000, Rs 20,000, and Rs 15,000, respectively.

Emphasized the importance of research in the volatile management industry, chief guest of the Conclave, Dr. Jai Advani, Managing Director, PwC Company with over two decades of experience, said, “Research and industry were considered as different aspects, but with evolving technology, now the industry needs the support of researchers to address the challenges or fix the loopholes of the industry. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry is on the path of digital advancement, and researchers can play an important role here.”

Speaking on the future prospects of the research, he said, “Many automobiles, cybersecurity, IT, and others were spending a decade of time and money on research and development to develop the product or enhance their operations. Bangalore alone has over 500 R&D units of MNCs. The industry needs solution-oriented research, which improves operations.”

“It’s time for a platform where academia-industry collaborate and address the challenges the industry faces today,” he added.

After Dr. Advani, guest of honor, Dr. Anu B Gupta, a well-known economist, and former professor at the University of California, addressed the researcher, giving them the mantra of the three RRRs to the scholars: Risk, Research, and Remuneration, the key to success in research and industry.

Moreover, IIM Bangalore’s professor of Finance, Prof. Sankarshan Basu, Prof. Neharika Vohra from IIM Ahmedabad, and Prof. Jason Bennett Thatcher, University of Colorado Boulder, USA, will address the researchers in the next two days.

Apart from the paper presentation, MERC 2024 includes workshops on research methodology to assist participants in improving their methodological rigor. There will be panel discussions on interdisciplinary research and Climate Change and Sustainability.

 With a theme of making micro, small, and medium enterprises sustainable, research papers have been received on many subjects, like OBHR, IT, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Operations and Strategic Management, and communication.

MERC has thus established itself as a national-level collaborative platform for researchers and academicians. This can be gauged from the fact that this time, there has been a 400% increase in applications as compared to last time.

Dr. Sabyasachi Patra, Chairperson, Doctoral Programme, and convenor of MERC, said, “We are thrilled to host over 300 participants from premier institutions across India, with an overwhelming 720 responses spanning 10 various tracks, including Communications, Economics, IT and Systems, Marketing, Organizational Behavior, and Human Resource Management, Operations & Decision Sciences, Public Policy, and Governance, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship, Sustainability in MSME, and Finance and Accounting. This year saw a 400% increase in paper submissions compared to last year, with Finance & Accounting and Marketing receiving the most responses (330 papers).

Speaking at the event, MERC Convenor Prof. Somnath Chakrabarti, Dean (Academics), said, “For the doctoral scholars participating in this conference, MERC is an invaluable stepping stone in their academic journeys. It offers them a platform to present their research, receive constructive feedback from experts, and refine their skills as researchers. This exposure not only enhances their research capabilities but also prepares them to become future leaders in academia and industry.

He further said, “It is a space where theories are challenged, methodologies are debated, and new ideas are born. Over the next few days, you can present your research, engage in stimulating discussions, and receive feedback from peers and experts across various disciplines.”