International Conference throws light on emerging technologies and circular economy  

Emerging technologies and the circular economy are closely intertwined, offering opportunities for sustainable innovation and resource optimisation. Technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and the Internet of Things can enable better tracking, monitoring, and management of resources throughout their lifecycle, promoting circularity. These technologies can enhance supply chain transparency, enable efficient waste management, and support the development of sustainable products and services. By leveraging emerging technologies in the context of circular economy principles, businesses and industries can further transition towards more sustainable practices, reduce waste generation, conserve resources, and create new avenues for economic growth while minimising environmental impact.

Thus aligned with the above-mentioned context, Apeejay School of Management (ASM) in Dwarka recently organised an ‘International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Circular Economy’ in association with AICTE in its campus.

Dr. Alka Munjal, Director at ASM, was the convener and Anuj Kumar, Assistant Professor, ASM was the co-convener. The organising team also included Dr. Vernika Agarwal, Dr. Chhaya Wadhwa, Dr. Akshita Arora, Dr. Ranjit Kaur, and Dr. Pragya Arya from Apeejay School of Management. 

The conference commenced with the felicitation of Lt. Gen. PJS Pannu, Former Deputy Chief, Indian Integrated Defense Staff (Operations); Dr. Pavan Duggal, Chairman of International Commission on Cyber Security Law; Mr. Virjesh Upadhyay, Chairman, Dattopant Thengadi, National Board for Workers Education and Development, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Govt. of India; and Dr. Shatruddha Tomar, Consortium for Educational Communication along with keynote speakers Dr. Asif Ali Syed, Associate Professor at Aligarh Muslim University and   Dr. Prateek Kalia of Masaryk University.

Addressing at the inaugural ceremony, Dr. Alka Munjal, discussed the emergence of the circular economy and how emerging technologies can help in achieving the sustainable goals of the circular economy. Further, Lt. Gen. PJS Pannu deliberated on artificial intelligence and Dr. Pavan Duggal discussed the emergence of technologies and how those technologies are impacting human life. 

The two-day conference witnessed more than 150 academicians and research scholars present their research papers in ten tracks. Around twenty sessions were chaired during which feedback was exchanged and papers were judged. 

The conference saw participation from more than five countries and twelve different states of India. The session chair (s) included the following names:

Track 1- Technology and Education

·  Dr. Anoop Pandey, Professor, HNB Garhwal University, Uttarakhand

·         Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Professor, UAIMS, Panjab University

Best paper: Independent higher education educators in England: Tutors behavioural characteristics preferred by mature students on business management course – Nazim Uddin, Dr. Rahaman Hasan, Maksim Ul Alam, Dr. Nick Pape. 

Track 2- Emerging Technologies

·         Dr. Asif Ali Syed, Associate Professor, FMSR, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

·         Dr. Shalini Vermani, Associate Professor, ASM, Dwarka

Best paper: Nomophobia phenomena and Social media usage: A Bibliometric analysis – Shagun Tomar, Dr. Manisha Gupta, and Madhu Rani

Track 3- Circular Economy and Finance

·         Dr. Dimpal Vij, Principal, AKP, PG College, Khurja, U.P.

·         Dr. Urvashi Varma, Associate Professor, ASM, Dwarka, Delhi

Best paper: Technology for governance: A boon or bane- Dr. Jayasri Indiran

Track 4- IB and Circular Economy

·         Dr. Shamsher Singh, Professor, BCIPS, Dwarka, Delhi

·         Dr. Archana Bhatia, Associate Professor, D.A.V. Centenary College Faridabad

Best paper: Fitness gadgets to impress: Mapping prestige related psychological antecedents towards purchase intention of international wearable fitness tracking device – Pushpinder Singh and Dr. Satinder Kumar

Track 5- Operations and Supply Chain Management

·         Dr. Narayan Baser, Associate Professor, P.D.E.U, Gujarat

·         Dr. Shirmila T., Associate Professor, Madras Christian College, Chennai

Best paper: Essentialism as a path to sustainable consumption: Back to basic approach – Dr. Abhilasha Chauhan and Prerna Goyal

Track 6- Digital Marketing and CRM

·         Dr. Shikha Gupta, Professor, Shahid Bhagat Singh College, Delhi University

·         Dr. Rinku Mahindru, Associate Professor, M.U.S.B, Gurugram

Best paper: Technology powered consumer behavior in online grocery shopping – Nishtha Ranjan

Track 7- Emerging Technology and Marketing

·         Prof. Dr. Jyoti Rana, Dean and Professor, Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, Haryana

·         Dr. Rashi Taggar, Associate Professor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Jammu

Best paper- Channelizing education 5.0 for sustainable technology empowerment: Potential challenges to academicians- Palak Verma, Dr. Vernika Agarwal

Track 8- Emerging Technology and General Management

·         Dr. Kamal Kant Sharma, Professor and Dean- Chandigarh University, Chandigarh

·         Dr. Srirang Jha, Associate Professor, ASM, Dwarka, Delhi

Best paper: A case study on scientific evidence, public opinion and ground reality using SAP-LAP hills – Dr. Supriya Lamba Sahdev and Dr. Lakshman Kumar Yadavalli

Track 9- Business and HR Analytics

·         Dr. Minakshi Kaushik, Professor, TIIPS, Greater Noida

·         Dr. Ishita Adhikari, Associate Professor, ASM, Dwarka, Delhi

Best paper: Effective talent management on talent retention in select health care sector in Hyderabad city with moderation of HR analytics – Venkata Naga Manjula P

Track 10- SMEs and Entrepreneurship

·         Dr. Meghna Chhabra, Professor, Delhi School of Business, Delhi

·         Dr. Maninder Kaur, Director and Professor, Guru Nanak Institute of Management, Delhi

Best paper: A study on entrepreneurial intentions of impact entrepreneurs in Gujarat – Dr. Heena Thanki and Dr. Narayan Baser

Dr. Vandana Sharma, Associate Professor of Information Technology spoke during track 7 as special session speaker on digital technologies. The session chair (s) have judged ten best papers composed of one best paper from each track.

Moreover, prior to the conference, Dr. K. Mathiyazhagan, Associate Professor, Thiagarajar School of Management and Dr. Nimit Gupta, Professor at The North Cap University, Gurugram, had taken a pre-conference workshop for all the participants. During the pre-conference workshop, both the experts discussed the essentials of research paper and case studies publications.

At the valedictory, Dr. Anoop Pandey and Dr. Sonia Singh, Director, Strategy and Planning, Toss Global Management, UAE, joined as Guests of Honour. Along with the guests, Dr. Alka Munjal and Prof. Anuj Kumar presented best paper awards to the winners.  

Expressing her view about the two-day conference, Dr. Rashi Taggar of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University in Jammu said, “I cherished the moments spent with the ASM team and invited guests and I am touched by the hospitality and support of the ASM team. This event stimulated new research ideas. I am going back with beautiful memories. Prof. Anuj was continuously following up on our accommodation and other arrangements. Really wonderful experience.”

Further Dr. Anoop Pandey, Professor, HNB Garhwal University, Uttarakhand, added, “It was a great event. The way Dr. Alka Munjal and Prof. Anuj Kumar managed this power-packed event with the entire team of ASM is commendable. The schedule, food, accommodation, felicitation everything was up to the mark. I wish all the success to the ASM family.”

Resonating similar thoughts,  Dr. Shirmila T., Associate Professor of Madras Christian College, Chennai, highlighted, “It was a great learning experience with a galaxy of intellectuals under one roof. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay, hospitality and learning at ASM, Delhi.”

Similarly, Pushpinder Singh, a participant from Punjabi University, said, “I guess words won’t be enough to justify my appreciation and gratitude towards ASM. This is the first conference I attended outside Punjab, and I am glad I did it with ASM. I’m so glad that I have presented at this conference.”

Another participant Shagun Tomar from Sharda University said, “I would like to express my gratitude for the award and the opportunity. It was a well-managed event and the comments provided by session chairs will help us in improving the manuscripts.”