India : The second day of the Doctoral and Early Career Academics (ECA) Colloquium & Conference commenced with a recap of the enriching discussions and activities from Day One. Key sessions from the previous day included a panel on sustainability and SDG Goals, featuring Ms. Shubhi Kesarwani (CEO, Gurujal) and Mr. Ankit Agarwal (Founder-CEO, Phool.co), moderated by Prof. Prajapati Trivedi. Additionally, an Interactive CESIM Simulation Workshop was led by Prof. Ritu Srivastava, Faculty member (MDI Gurgaon), Mr. Rohan Jugran, and Mr. Abdul Bazi, empowering participants with hands-on tools for fostering sustainability in classroom instruction.

The day began with conference papers and case studies, where scholars explored cutting-edge topics in sustainability, risk management, and finance.

Storytelling-Theatre: An engaging session moderated by Prof. Neera Jain, featuring storytellers such as Mr. Sandeep Kochhar (CEO, Blew Minds), Mr. Vineet Viren Chopra (Senior Facilitator, Transform Me Learning), Ms. Anshu Daga (Founder of The Inner Startup) and Ms. Tanya Mathur Bhattacharya (Business Storyteller & Coach), focused on the art of storytelling and theatre as a tool for communication and leadership.

Reflecting on storytelling as a pedagogical approach, Prof. Neera Jain stated, “Storytelling isn’t just an art—it’s a pedagogical tool. By integrating narratives from history, mythology, and personal experience, we can inspire future thinkers to drive change.”

Mr. Vineet Viren Chopra shared his perspective, stating, “Storytelling is not just about narrating events; it’s about creating an emotional connection that inspires action. Leaders and educators must master the art of storytelling to drive transformation and leave a lasting impact.”

Mr. Sandeep Kochhar, emphasising the importance of authenticity in leadership, remarked, “Leadership today demands vulnerability. Sharing our struggles creates a safe space for others to open up, leading to genuine, trust-filled interactions.”

Ms. Tanya Mathur Bhattacharya, focusing on the universal power of storytelling, shared, “When we tell our stories, we bridge gaps, foster understanding, and connect in ways that transcend boundaries. Teaching storytelling is my way of empowering others to find their voice.”

Ms. Anshu Daga on the transformative power of stories said, “Storytelling is not just about sharing experiences; it’s about sparking self-reflection and unlocking potential. When we weave narratives that resonate, we inspire others to take meaningful action.”

The Editor’s Panel brought together renowned academic voices, including Prof. Sumit Kundu ( Associate Editor, Journal of Business Research), Prof. Pawan S. Budhwar (Aston University), Prof. Vijay Pereira (Editor-in-Chief, International Studies of Management and Organisation), Prof. Elizabeth Rose (Co-Editor-in-Chief, Academy of Management Collections), and Prof. Constantin Blome (Co-Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Operations & Production Management), moderated by Prof. Jyotsna Bhatnagar and Prof. Rohit Sindhwani. The panel delved into the evolving trends and expectations in academic publishing.

“To tackle global challenges, particularly sustainability, researchers must adopt a proactive mindset,” said Prof. Sumit Kundu, emphasising the need for a proactive mindset in global strategy and research. “Integrating innovative approaches into global strategy and addressing mental wellness is vital as we prepare future leaders to navigate complexities across regions and disciplines.”

Building on this theme, Prof. Pawan S. Budhwar urged scholars to leverage their PhD journeys to address pressing global challenges. He said, “The PhD journey is a unique opportunity to address pressing global issues like sustainability. By embracing interdisciplinary collaboration and pursuing impactful research, scholars can contribute to real-world solutions that benefit society at large.”

Prof. Vijay Pereira highlighted the transformative role of AI in modern workplaces, stating, “Artificial intelligence is reshaping the workplace, from recruitment to training and employee management. It’s vital to explore both its potential benefits and challenges to create balanced outcomes.”

Prof. Elizabeth Rose underscored the importance of fostering high-quality research from emerging scholars, noting, “The next generation of Indian scholars holds immense promise. By fostering quality submissions and addressing futuristic themes, we aim to inspire research that meets global standards.”

Prof. Constantin Blome urged researchers to prioritise Indigenous contexts, remarking, “Many researchers rely heavily on secondary data from the West, missing the rich opportunities in their backyards. We must take pride in our local contexts and use them to address challenges unique to our environment.”

Prof. Jyotsna Bhatnagar drew inspiration from nature, encouraging researchers to embody resilience and focus. She remarked, “Never miss embodying the qualities of an ant: diligent, persistent, and focused when it comes to doing the best research work.”

Prof. Rohit Sindhwani likened research to a dynamic and ongoing journey, stating, “Research is not a sprint; it is a marathon where the goalpost keeps changing. So, better innovate than lag.”

Concluding Events: The day concluded with the announcement of the Best Paper Awards, recognising excellence in research with a cash prize of ₹50,000, sponsored by CESIM, and the Best Case Award, with a prize of $200, sponsored by Emerald Publishing.

For the Best Paper Awards, the First Prize was awarded to Meenakshi Bisla (Northcap University, Gurgaon), while the Second Prize was shared by Mohit Verma (O.P. Jindal Global University) and Mansi Panwar (Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore). The Third Prize was jointly awarded to Tanuja Agarwala (FMS, Delhi University) and Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (BR Ambedkar University).

For the Best Case Awards, the First Prize went to Dr. Saradhi Gonela and Dr. Kakoli Sen (Woxsen University) along with Dr. Shruti Gill (IILM Institute, New Delhi). The Second Prize was tied between Prof. Ruchi Agarwal (MDI Gurgaon) with Pallavi Singh (FPM Scholar) and another team comprising Dr. Anshu Sharma (O.P. Jindal Global University), Prof. Jyotsna Bhatnagar (Dean, Research, MDI Gurgaon), and Puneet Bindlish (Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam). These accolades underscore the remarkable efforts and achievements of scholars driving innovation and academic excellence.

The valedictory session celebrated the success of the conference, and the evening ended on a cultural note with an enthralling performance by the Odissi Darshan Nritya Academy.