10th & 11th December, 2025
Sustainability Focused Growth: Redefining Business Success in a Dynamic Environment
Great Lakes, Gurgaon, hosted the 4th International Research Conference on Sustainable Business on December 10th & 11th, 2025, under the aegis of the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development. Focused on the theme "Sustainability Focused Growth: Redefining Business Success in a Dynamic Environment," the conference brought together academicians, industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers for two days of impactful dialogue and exchange. The Chief Guest, Mr. Param Puneet Singh, Managing Director & Strategy & Consulting Global Network at Accenture, delivered an insightful address outlining the ATLAS Framework, which centers on adaptability, technological capability, leadership resilience, workforce agility, and sustainability.
Param Puneet Singh, Managing Director, Strategy & Consulting Global Network, Accenture)
Pre-conference Doctoral Session
The conference opened with a rigorous pre-doctoral programme designed to sharpen research capabilities among emerging scholars.
Prof. Robert Mai, Grenoble Ecole de Management, France
Prof. Robert Mai guided scholars through the logic of causality, experimental design, manipulation checks, and validity. He emphasized methodological precision and its application to contemporary marketing and sustainability research.
Prof. Ashwini Deshpande, Ashoka University
Prof. Ashwini Deshpande contextualized India's low female labour force participation, explaining how structural and measurement gaps obscure women's economic contributions, and underscored the importance of creating demand for female labour.
Dr. Raj Krishnan Shankar, Great Lakes Chennai
Dr. Raj Krishnan Shankar outlined the foundations of strong theory, the inductive–deductive continuum, and the importance of conceptual clarity. His guidance offered young researchers a roadmap to develop publishable work.
Fireside Chat
Moderated by Prof. Harish Kumar, the fireside conversation brought together Prof. Mai, Prof. Deshpande, and Dr. Shankar for a candid dialogue on academic publishing. Key insights included:
- Clarity of contribution is a prerequisite to avoid desk rejection
- Dangers of premature submission
- Balancing AI tools with an authentic scholarly voice
- Embracing reviewer feedback as an iterative learning process
Industry Panel Discussion: Designing for Circularity
Panelists
Vice President, South Region at UN Global Compact Network India
President at Confederation of Indian Food Trade & Industry (CIFTI)
Chief Executive Officer at Development Alternatives
Sr. Director & Global Head – Foundation at Brillio
Partner & Leader - ESG & Sustainability at Pierag Consulting
Industry Panel Discussion: Designing for Circularity
A powerful panel featuring Mr. Shrashtant Patara, Mr. Thakur Pherwani, Mr. Abhishek Ranjan, and Ms. Sarika Gosain, moderated by Mr. Sanjay Kahjuria, examined the operational and strategic imperatives of circularity.
Key takeaways included:
- The inevitability of circular models in future supply chains
- Circularity as a value-creation driver rather than a CSR obligation
- The need for ecosystem-level transformation.
Prof. Sudhakar Balachandran, Associate Professor, University of Illinois Chicago
Expert Sessions
Publishing in High Impact Journals
Prof. Sudhakar Balachandran led an insightful session on structuring manuscripts, framing contributions, and understanding editorial expectations.
Prof. Russell W. Belk Professor of Marketing; Kraft Foods Canada Chair in Marketing, Schulich School of Business, York University
Keynote Address
The keynote for WCSB 2025 was delivered by Prof. Russell W. Belk, globally renowned scholar of Consumer Culture.
Prof. Belk explored how sharing, subscription, and streaming economies shape contemporary consumption patterns, identity, and sustainability. His culturally rooted insights offered attendees a nuanced view of shifting consumer ecosystems.
Dr. Sanghamitra Bhattacharyya, Chair – Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, unveiled her consumer research report highlighting that visible environmental impact remains the strongest driver of sustainable choices among consumers.
A special cultural performance curated in collaboration with SPIC MACAY added a reflective and aesthetic dimension to the conference.
The evening concluded with a Gala Dinner, offering faculty, speakers, and delegates ample opportunity to network and build meaningful professional connections.
Knowledge Partner
Gallery
