*Call for Papers � Research and Pedagogy
International Conference on Business and Sustainability: regenerate
Portland State University, Center for Global Leadership in Sustainability*
/*regenerate*/: How can sustainability inspire creative solutions?
Innovative approaches? New ways of solving economic, social and
environmental challenges? The theme of this year�s conference is
regenerate. In the midst of a difficult economic time sustainability
provides both an ethos and an operating principle for deriving new
methods to revitalize our organizations and societies. Through the lens
of regenerate, a series of presentations, interactive case study
sessions and keynote addresses during this two day event will provide
immediate value to those seeking ideas for sustainability-focused
inspiration and implementation in their organizations.
The Center for Global Leadership in Sustainability at the School of
Business Administration in Portland State University is pleased to
announce its third annual International Conference on Business &
Sustainability. This year�s conference will be held November 5-6, 2009
in Portland, Oregon, USA. As in the prior years, the conference will
include both academic and practitioner forums. It will begin on Thursday
morning with registration and breakfast followed by a full day of
keynote speakers and workshops. Practitioner speakers include innovative
business leaders and social entrepreneurs in sustainability from
national and international organizations. Friday, November 6th, is
devoted to academic presentations. As in prior years, several research
tracks will be presented concurrently.
New this year, several panels of instructors with experience teaching
sustainability in business schools will provide guidance and materials
relevant to their disciplines. These panels will provide educators
interested in teaching sustainability with tools and techniques for
building sustainability issues into their classes.
Papers relating to the following topic areas are invited from academia,
industry, and non-profit organizations. All disciplinary perspectives,
especially multidisciplinary approaches, and research methods are
welcome. A wide range of papers will be considered, including but not
limited to conceptual, empirical, experimental, and case studies. A
partial list of possible topics includes:
EMPLOYEES AND ORGANIZATIONS
1. Employees as change agents and champions
2. Building creativity into organizations� sustainability initiatives
3. Leaders and managers in the sustainability-inspired organization
4. Transforming organizational cultures in the pursuit of sustainability
5. The importance of �making the business case� in sustainability
initiatives
6. Employee volunteerism as a source of restoring morale and loyalty
7. Determining the value of ecological and social pathways to sustainability
8. Recreating strategic frameworks for the Age of Sustainability
OPERATIONS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
1. Designing and implementing sustainability procurement practices
2. Preparing operations and supply chains for carbon regulations
3. Logistics planning in a water and carbon constrained environment
4. Engaging suppliers as partners in corporate responsibility
5. Decision criteria for local versus non-local sourcing
6. Converting supply chains to sustainability value chains
7. Creating value through product stewardship and take-back
8. Non-Governmental Organizations as new sources of value creation along
the supply chain
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INCLUSIVE BUSINESS
1. Delivering on community investment initiatives
2. Inclusive business as a new model of empowerment
3. Social mission and for-profit: Approaches for maximum value creation?
4. Restructuring institutions to create market access for the poor
5. Risks and rewards for social entrepreneurs
6. Revitalizing local economies through empowering business models
7. What determines �appropriate technology� in social ventures?
8. Constellations of partnerships for effective social venturing
THE VALUE PROPOSITION AND CONSUMERS
1. Contextual influences on sustainability-based purchasing decisions
2. The rise (or fall) of values-based consumerism
3. Creating trust and legitimacy of eco-labels and certification systems
4. Communication strategies for social and/or environmental product and
service attributes
5. Sustainability and generation-based segmentation
6. Emerging models of consumer engagement in sustainability
7. Consumers� perception of local versus global
8. Cross-sector partnerships in sustainability-focused marketing
ACCOUNTING AND MEASUREMENT
1. Sustainability reporting and rethinking the assurance function
2. Accounting�s role in valuing sustainability projects
3. Measuring operational activities in non-monetary terms
4. Accounting for the environmental and social impacts of public spending
5. Presentation issues for the triple bottom line
6. Addressing ecosystem service values in organizational reporting
7. Creating measures for social sustainability
8. Certifications and their impact on business value
Please note: Papers related to the theme of Regeneration are welcome
from all disciplines.
Information for Contributors
Individuals from academia, business and government are invited to submit
research papers, research abstracts, and proposals for workshops,
panels, and symposia and that contribute to advancing sustainability.
All submissions should have a clear sustainability focus. We encourage
papers that are cross-disciplinary in nature; that is, they could
involve more than a single traditional discipline. We also encourage
submissions in which academic researchers collaborate with design
practioners to inform theory and methods with the latest real-world
applications.
New this year�There is growing demand for instructors who are skilled at
teaching sustainability in Business Schools. To address this, we are
offering a number of teaching panels where experienced instructors will
provide guidance and advice. Authors are encouraged to submit any
theoretical or applied works benefiting teaching. Teaching related work
may also include innovative course design topics such as effective
delivery methods, assignments, cases, or projects. Submissions may be in
the form of completed papers, extended abstracts, presentation
proposals, or panel discussion proposals.
Authors presenting academic research may submit either 1) a research
paper that will undergo a blind review by at least two referees or 2) a
non-refereed research abstract of 300 words maximum. All submissions
should be submitted electronically following the detailed instructions
provided below. All research papers accepted and presented at the
conference will be published in abstract form in the conference proceedings.
The submission of a research paper or research abstract means that the
authors certify that the research is not copyrighted and it has not been
accepted for publication in a journal. Further, authors certify their
intent for at least one author to register for and attend this meeting
to present the paper or abstract. The copyrights for all forms of
presentation at this meeting will remain with the authors.
Submission Deadlines
The submission deadline for refereed research papers is August 1, 2009.
Only completed papers or 5-10 page works-in-process will be accepted for
review. Papers will be subject to double-blind review by academic and,
if appropriate, practitioner reviews. The submission deadline for
non-refereed research abstracts and teaching-related works is also
August 1, 2009. Please send an electronic copy of the papers, abstracts
or teaching-related works to Mellie Pullman at
mpullman@pdx.edu.
Notice of acceptance or rejection will be sent out by September 1, 2009.
All presenters are expected to register for the conference. In addition,
registration is required for the paper or abstract to be included in the
proceedings.
For further information or questions regarding this conference please go
to the conference website at:
http://www.sba.pdx.edu/sustainabilityconference09/
Conference Schedule
Thursday, November 5, all day: Conversations with Industry Leaders on
Regeneration plus an evening wine reception and Keynote Speakers.
Friday, November 6, all day: Sharing Academic Perspectives - This day
will consist of concurrent tracks of academic paper presentations and
business functional area sustainability teaching workshops (i.e.,
teaching Sustainable Supply Chain, Marketing, Management, etc). Paper
presentations will include discussant comments by academic and industry
representatives to ensure that both theoretical and practical aspects of
the papers will be considered. The format will be designed to foster
productive discussion of these academic papers.
Conference Registration:
The conference fees are shown below.
Academics
Early Registration (prior to September 30, 2009): $125
Normal Registration (after September 30, 2009): $175
General participants
Early Registration (prior to September 30, 2009): $175
Normal Registration (after September 30, 2009): $225
Non-PSU Students: $100
PSU students: $50
The fee includes breakfast, lunch and breaks on both days (including a
Thursday night wine reception at the Hotel). In addition, the fee
includes admission to the premiere of the Portland State Sustainability
Speaker Series on Thursday night. The fee does not include lodging.
Registration and conference hotel information will be available at the
following website:
http://www.sba.pdx.edu/sustainabilityconference09/
About Portland
Portland is one of the world�s leading cities in fostering sustainable
business and development. The conference will include opportunities to
learn from many area and international businesses and other
organizations that are integrating purposeful design for sustainability
into their operations. In addition, Portland is a beautiful city, with a
thriving downtown and diverse, eclectic neighborhoods. Its coffee shops,
bookstores, wine bars and brewpubs provide a community feel that
entrances the souls of residents and visitors. Its creative culture,
innovative companies, and industry leaders provide a business vitality
that supports new entrepreneurs and global enterprises.
For further information, please contact:
Mellie Pullman at:
Center for Global Leadership in Sustainability, SBA Room 230
Portland State University
P.O. Box 751
Portland, OR 97207
503.725.4768
mpullman@pdx.edu
http://www.sba.pdx.edu/sustainabilityconference09/