Conference | SDMIMD

10th International Economics Conference

The 10th International Economics Conference was successfully hosted by SDMIMD, Mysuru, on November 27, 2025 on the theme “Economic Growth and Sustainable Development: Emerging Trends.”

The event was inaugurated by Maj. Gen. Rajiv Narayanan (Retd.), AVSM, VSM, Professor of Practice at IIT Madras, who delivered the inaugural address vividly narrating the changing landscape of the geo-politics and its implications on the Indian Economy. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. M. S. Sriram, Professor at IIM Bangalore. He emphasized the importance of innovating and adopting sustainability-oriented development models to make development more inclusive and sustainable.
Dr. (Lt. Col.) S. N. Prasad, Director, SDMIMD, delivered the opening remarks and stressed on need for the revival of co-operative models for agricultural sustainability. Dr. Venkatraja B., Associate Professor – Economics and Chairperson of the Conference presented a brief review of the global uncertainties and the challenges they pose to the countries like India. Deliberating the challenges of the development and ways of strengthening the resilience was pointed as the key purpose of the event.

In a technical session Mr. Anupam Bajpai, National Head – CSR, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd., New Delhi, spoke on how to leverage CSR for inclusive and sustainable growth in India. Additionally, a panel discussion on “Inclusivity and Sustainability: Strategic Pathways to Viksit Bharat” brought together eminent experts, including Dr. P. G. Yogindra, Former Executive Director, HAL; Mr. Ananta Hegde, Chief General Manager, Bank Note Paper Mill India Private Limited, Mysore; Ms. Beena Ramachandran, Senior Vice President, HCL; Mr. Praveen Urs, Director – Climate Change & Sustainability, KBS Certification Services Ltd.; and Dr. (Lt. Col.) S. N. Prasad, Director, SDMIMD. The session was moderated by Dr. Venkatraja B. The panel deliberated the strategic aspects of inclusivity, responsibility and sustainability practices to be adopted to make India a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The conference concluded with the valedictory session delivered by Ms. Dipti Despande, Principal Economist at CRISIL Ltd, Mumbai. While presenting the macroeconomic outlook of the Indian economy, she said that India is on the right spot of growth amidst global uncertainties, but private investment and healthy fiscals of states are critical areas to deal with.

The conference had discussions on 163 research papers aligned with the theme across multiple track sessions. A total of 215 participants, including academicians, experts, research scholars, and practitioners from various institutions across the country and a few from abroad took part in the event. The conference provided a valuable platform for academic dialogue, knowledge exchange, and meaningful discussions on emerging trends in economic growth and sustainable development.

The event was conceptualised, designed and executed by the Conference Chairperson Dr B Venkatraja, Associate Professor of Economics, SDMIMD and was meticulously convened and coordinated by Prof. Venkatesh Goudar and Ms. Gayithri of SDMIMD.

13th International Finance Conference

The 13th International Finance Conference on Emerging Trends in Corporate Finance and Financial Markets was held under the theme “Indian Financial Market: Resilient Amid Global Headwinds.” Bringing together eminent academicians, industry experts, and researchers, the two-day event facilitated rich knowledge exchange through technical sessions and paper presentations.

The conference was inaugurated on October 17th by Dr. Tirthankar Patnaik, Chief Economist, NSE Ltd., whose keynote addressed the evolution of Indian capital markets and the strengthening macroeconomic environment.

Dr. (Lt. Col) S. N. Prasad, Director of SDMIMD, spoke on India's financial market transformation and the interplay of financial intelligence and human imagination in AI. Conference Chairperson Dr. M. Sriram highlighted the macro factors strengthening India's financial resilience amid global challenges.

Technical Session 1 by Mr. Ramkumar Sukumar of ROC 360° discussed AI-driven finance, digital CFO systems, and talent decentralization shaping corporate finance.

On Day 2, Mr. Jyothiprakash emphasized the critical role of fintech in MSME lending, supply chain financing, and AI-enabled credit risk assessment. Across nine specialized presentation tracks, the conference featured discussions on digital payments, financial inclusion, risk analytics, AI-based financial modelling, behavioural finance, sustainability, and rural financial literacy.

Organized in collaboration with the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC), the conference fostered meaningful industry–academia dialogue and showcased forward-looking financial research. The overwhelming participation of scholars and practitioners reinforced the event’s objective of advancing insight into emerging trends in Indian and global financial markets.

Third International Leadership Conference

SDMIMD, Mysuru, successfully hosted the 3rd International Leadership Conference on the theme “Leading in a Disrupted World: Reimagining Leadership for Complexity, Sustainability, and Human-Centric Innovation.” This prestigious event was organized in collaboration with the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) – SDMIMD Centre for Management Excellence.

The conference was inaugurated with a keynote address by Ms. Susheema V, Co-Founder & JMD, SYConE CPMC Pvt. Ltd., who spoke on “From Leadership to Exponential Futures.” In her insightful talk, she emphasized the impact of the changing geopolitical landscape, the disruptions shaping today’s business environment, and the need to redefine business strategies in an increasingly competitive world. She highlighted the importance of adopting an exponential mindset for leaders in the dynamic global context.

While reimagining leadership, Ms. Susheema underlined the necessity for leaders to design innovative projects and build futuristic development models. She also stressed that true leadership lies in inspiring and motivating people through impactful initiatives.

Dr. (Lt Col) Prasad S. N., Director, SDMIMD, Mysuru, delivered the inaugural address, focusing on the essence of great leadership. He stated that effective leadership is about taking responsibility and driving meaningful change within organizations and society.

Dr. L. Gandhi, Conference Chair and Associate Professor – OB & HRM, SDMIMD, provided a detailed conference briefing and outlined its objectives.

A highlight of the event was a thought-provoking panel discussion on “Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of Technology.” Distinguished industry leaders shared valuable perspectives on balancing technological advancement with human-centric values in leadership.

The conference also brought together leading experts, academicians, and industry professionals who presented their research, innovative ideas, and perspectives, making the event a rich platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative learning.

1st International Operations Conference on Re-engineering Business Ecosystem: Synergies and Innovations in Operations and Beyond (SIOB-2025)

August 18, 2025, Mysore, India – The SDMIMD is currently hosting the 1st International Operations Conference on Re-engineering Business Ecosystem: Synergies and Innovations in Operations and Beyond (SIOB-2025). The one-day conference has brought together industry leaders, academic scholars, and students to discuss the evolving role of operations management in organizational transformation and technological innovation.

The conference began with a formal lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolizing the illumination of knowledge and progress. The lamp was lit by Dr. Anand Sasikumar, Conference Chair; Dr. S. N. Prasad, Director, SDMIMD; and Mr. Sreekanth Murugan, Chief Guest. Dr. Prasad invited the Chief Guest to inaugurate the event, after which the dignitaries jointly unveiled the conference slides. Dr. Anand Sasikumar introduced the theme “Integrating Operations Management with Emerging Trends and Disciplines,” emphasizing the growing significance of interdisciplinary approaches in today’s business landscape.

In his keynote address, Mr. Sreekanth Murugan spoke on “Collaborative Ecosystems: Aligning Operations with Open Innovation”. He highlighted open innovation, integration strategies, and advances in warehouse automation and robotics. The session also featured insights from UPS’s client onboarding process and a video demonstration of its highly automated warehouse system.

A research workshop on AI tools for research and writing was conducted by Dr. Binju Saju, Assistant Professor, Adi Shankara Institute of Technology and Engineering. The technical session on “Transforming Supply Chains with IoT, Robotics, and 5G” will feature insights from Mr. Rohit Agarwal (Ericsson), Mr. Shrini Sarangapani (The Timken Company), and Mr. Bhupinder Singh Chawla (Infosys), moderated by Mr. Sunil Bhardwaj, Managing Partner, ImpactEazer Consulting. The day will conclude with a valedictory address by Dr. Subramani Ramakrishnan, Vice President, UPS India Technology Center, followed by closing remarks from Dr. (Lt. Col.) S. N. Prasad, and the vote of thanks by Dr. Kannadas S.

During the inaugural session, 26 research papers were registered for presentation, covering a wide spectrum of contemporary topics in operations management. These presentations are expected to encourage lively discussions and the exchange of practical and research-driven insights among participants.

The 1st International Operations Conference reaffirms SDMIMD’s position as a leading academic institution committed to advancing research, fostering innovation, and encouraging global knowledge exchange in the field of operations management. The event continues to set high standards for academic discourse and industry engagement in India and beyond.

6th International Conference on Marketing – “Marketing in the AI Era: Reshaping Global Marketing”

The inaugural ceremony of the 6th International Conference on Marketing at SDMIMD, Mysuru, was graced by Mr. Rajeev Krishnan, a visionary leader who has been the Vice president of Target Corporation in the US and the Ex-MD & CEO of SPAR/Max Hypermarket. In his keynote address he spoke about the importance of every company having a DNA that tells its story and marketing has to always has to take into perspective the differences and a deep understanding of the consumer that is critical for success. India is very vast and has immense scope and everyone has opportunity to do well but passion & purpose is critical. In his inaugural remarks (Lt. Col.) Dr. S.N. Prasad talked about the pros and cons of AI in marketing quoting several examples. Dr. Keerthan Raj, Conference Chairperson briefed about the conference and welcomed the gathering.

The conference provided a platform for the presentation of very interesting research papers on AI IN Marketing by participants from all over the country. There was a panel discussion with eminent panelists from corporate and academic groups, Capt. Vaibhav Goutam Suresh, Deputy Director, School for Aviation & Aerospace Management, Mr. Rajesh Gotur, Mphasis, Mr. Gajana Kamath, Amazon India and Dr. Nalini Palaniswamy, Prestige Institute of Management sharing their thoughts and perspectives. The valedictory program was graced by Ms. Jyothika Nayak, s senior strategist with SAP, Robert Bosch India and has multidimensional experiences in business and marketing strategies and she shared her insights with the audience.

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SDMIMD Hosted the 9th International Economics Conference

The two-day International Economics Conference on the theme “Economic Growth and Sustainable Development: Emerging Trends” was held on November 21-22, 2024. Mr. CSV Ramana Kumar Vice president at Wipro Ltd inaugurated the conference and delivered a keynote address. The conference featured a special talk by Prof. Trilochan Sastry, Professor at IIM Bangalore who is a luminary in the field of governance and social impact. On November 22, a panel discussion was held on “Being Responsible and Sustainable in the New Age: Challenges and Opportunities”. The experts in the panel were Mr. Suguru Kawashima, CFO-Findy, Japan, Dr. AKM Shahidullah, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, Dr. G S Ganesh Prasad, ANSSIRD, Government of Karnataka and Dr. Sunil Kapadia, Consultant- BFSI, Pune. The discussion was moderated by Dr (Lt Col) Prasad S.N, Director, SDMIMD Mysore. Dr. Balu Kenchappa, Chief General Manager and Ombudsman at Reserve Bank of India delivered the valedictory address to the conference. Across two days 144 papers were presented and deliberated by research scholars, academics and practitioners on the various issues related to the theme of the conference. Dr (Lt Col) Prasad S.N, Director, SDMIMD Mysore delivered opening and closing remarks to the conference. Dr B Venkatraja, Conference Chairperson introduced the theme of the conference and delivered the vote of thanks. The discussions across two days emphasized that economic development is inevitable, while on the path of progress having a check on environmental degradation is of paramount significance.

Ramana Kumar, VP-Wipro talks on the Economy and Environment

The Indian economy has made significant strides in recent years, but climate change remains a critical challenge, stated Sri. Ramana Kumar CSV, Vice President at Wipro, during his keynote address at the 9th International Economics Conference titled Economic Growth and Sustainable Development: Emerging Trends organised by Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD) on November 21, 2024.

Ramana Kumar, a well-known macroeconomic analyst with over three decades of industry experience, emphasized the importance of economic growth while underscoring the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss. He highlighted the devastating consequences of human-induced environmental degradation and the urgent need for systematic solutions. He also mentioned that India is the fastest-growing economy in the world and as of now it ranks 5th in the world and by 2025 it is expected to be fourth in the world and by 2027 India is expected to be the third largest economy in the world. We are faced with a huge challenge, but we already have many of the solutions, Kumar said, referencing frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN Convention on Climate Change, and the Paris Agreement. He stressed three key areas for action: reducing emissions, adapting to the impacts of climate change, and securing financing for green initiatives. Kumar urged the adoption of the recycling, repurposing, and reusing model to contribute to sustainability.

Distinguished Speech by Prof. Trilochan Sastry

Prof. Trilochan Sastry delivered an invited talk to the delegates of the 9th International Economics Conference on “ Economic Growth and Sustainable Development: Emerging Trends” on November 21, 2024. His talk focused on inequality, social impact and sustainable development. He emphasized the need for addressing disparities in agriculture, and migrant labourers through targeted interventions like cooperatives and inclusive policies. Successful initiatives like Operation Flood were cited as models for sustainable development, concluding the session with a call for action against inequality. Prof. Girish Gopalrao chaired the session. Conference delegates, Faculty and students were present.

Panel Discussion on Sustainability

A panel discussion on “Being responsible and sustainable in the new age” was organised on November 22, 2024 as a part of the 9th International Economics Conference on “Economic Growth and Sustainable Development: Emerging Trends”. The panel speakers included Mr. Suguru Kawashima-CFO Findy, Japan, Dr. AKM Shahidullah, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, Dr Sunil Kapadia, Consultant BFSI Pune, Dr. GS Ganesh Prasad, ANSIRD, Govt of Karnataka and the moderator for the panel discussion was Dr. (Lt.Col) SN Prasad, Director SDMIMD. The key insights from the panel discussion were that Suguru Kawashima emphasized the role of technology, AI innovation, and Japan-India collaboration in driving sustainable business practices. Dr. AKM Shahidullah highlighted ecological sustainability, work-life balance, gender empowerment, and resource conservation for future generations. Dr. Ganesh Prasad discussed data-driven insights on sustainable development goals, rural indicators, and agricultural implications in India. Dr. Sunil Kapadia focused on renewable energy expansion, green finance, and global sustainable practices. In conclusion, the moderator, Dr. SN Prasad highlighted the key takeaways of the discussion and touched upon sustainable growth, innovation, and its impacts on long-term goals.

Dr Balu Kenchappa, Senior Banker, RBI Spoke on Financial Sector Stability

Dr Balu Kenchappa Chief General Manager and Ombudsman at Reserve Bank of India delivering the valedictory address to the 9th International Economics Conference on “Economic Growth and Sustainable Development: Emerging Trends” on November 22, 2024. In his speech, Dr Balu Kenchappa narrated the significance of fixing the appropriate interest rate depending on the changing circumstances. He analysed how the interest rate, inflation, and economic growth are interlinked. His talk also emphasised the role of the central bank in managing the debt, exchange rate, reserve management and risk management. Dr. (Lt.Col) S N Prasad, Director SDMIMD delivered closing remarks to the conference and Dr. B Venkatraja, Conference Chairperson summed up two days of deliberations and presented vote of thanks. Conference delegates, Faculty and students were present.

SDMIMD Hosted the 9th International Economics Conference

The two-day International Economics Conference on the theme “Economic Growth and Sustainable Development: Emerging Trends” was held on November 21-22, 2024. Mr. CSV Ramana Kumar Vice president at Wipro Ltd inaugurated the conference and delivered a keynote address. The conference featured a special talk by Prof. Trilochan Sastry, Professor at IIM Bangalore who is a luminary in the field of governance and social impact. On November 22, a panel discussion was held on “Being Responsible and Sustainable in the New Age: Challenges and Opportunities”. The experts in the panel were Mr. Suguru Kawashima, CFO-Findy, Japan, Dr. AKM Shahidullah, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, Dr. G S Ganesh Prasad, ANSSIRD, Government of Karnataka and Dr. Sunil Kapadia, Consultant- BFSI, Pune. The discussion was moderated by Dr (Lt Col) Prasad S.N, Director, SDMIMD Mysore. Dr. Balu Kenchappa, Chief General Manager and Ombudsman at Reserve Bank of India delivered the valedictory address to the conference. Across two days 144 papers were presented and deliberated by research scholars, academics and practitioners on the various issues related to the theme of the conference. Dr (Lt Col) Prasad S.N, Director, SDMIMD Mysore delivered opening and closing remarks to the conference. Dr B Venkatraja, Conference Chairperson introduced the theme of the conference and delivered the vote of thanks. The discussions across two days emphasized that economic development is inevitable, while on the path of progress having a check on environmental degradation is of paramount significance.

International Family Business Enterprises Conference (IFBEC) 2024

The International Family Business Enterprises Conference (IFBEC) 2024, co-organized by SDMIMD along with the Foundation for Research, Education, and Development (FRED); Witten Institute for Family Business (WIFU), and Konan University, concluded successfully with three days of vibrant discussions, paper presentations, and collaborative engagements. Held from August 29 to 31, 2024, the conference was a unique platform for business leaders, scholars, and researchers to share innovative ideas and explore emerging trends in family business enterprises.

An inspiring inauguration ceremony was graced by Dr. Prasad S.N., Director, SDMIMD, along with esteemed guests from the partner institutions. The inauguration set the stage for groundbreaking conversations aimed at shaping the future of family businesses on a global scale. Business professionals from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Germany, and Japan participated in the discussions, fostering impactful connections and knowledge-sharing.

The final day of the conference, August 31, 2024, was hosted at SDMIMD's campus, where scholars from around the world presented their research on family business enterprises. This session, which included both in-person and virtual presentations from researchers in the USA, Germany, Russia, UK, and China, showcased cutting-edge insights in the field of family business research. The event facilitated a rich exchange of ideas, contributing to the advancement of academic and practical knowledge in the sector.

These interactions allowed for an exchange of best practices and innovative strategies to enhance the sustainability and success of family businesses globally.

SDMIMD Hosts Insightful 5th International New Age Marketing Conference

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SDMIMD proudly hosted the 5th International New Age Marketing Conference - Marketing in the age of digital transformation: strategies for sustainable success, a confluence of innovative minds and thought leaders in the field of marketing. The conference commenced with a lamp lighting ceremony by dignitaries including Dr. Anandakuttan B. Unnithan, Mr. Manoj Pasangha, and SDMIMD’s own faculty and students, symbolizing a bright future for marketing in the digital era.

Dr. Keerthan Raj, the Conference Chair, introduced the theme, emphasizing innovation and growth through dynamic new age marketing, highlighting the submission of 80 knowledge-rich research papers. Director Dr. (Lt. Col) S.N. Prasad extended a warm welcome and shared his vision on the marketing evolution, from word-of-mouth to the digital transformation of today, underscoring technology’s role in reshaping strategies and customer engagement.

Keynote speaker Dr. Anandakuttan B. Unnithan delved into the digital disruption's impact, drawing parallels between past and present marketing tools, and illustrating the profound changes in banking and media. His captivating talk touched on the art of customer conversion and the predictive potential of connected technologies.

Mr. Manoj Pasangha continued with a compelling discourse on the constancy of marketing principles amidst shifting mediums, the transformation of consumer behaviors, and the power of data analytics. His presentation covered pivotal strategies for the digital age, from content marketing to SEO, and the need for adaptability and customer-centric approaches.

The conference featured paper presentations that showcased cutting-edge marketing insights and concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. S. Saibaba, expressing gratitude to all contributors. The valedictory address promises further enrichment with esteemed speakers including Dr. Rangan Varadan, Shri S N Rao, Dr. Tathagata Ghosh, and Mr. Stanley Jacob, ensuring a continued tradition of excellence at SDMIMD.

11th International Conference for “HR for Organisational Sustainability”

The conference was inaugurated by Mr. C K Suresh, the Founder Director of ATMA Foundation. Dr. S N Prasad, Director SDMIMD, delivered the welcome address and elaborated on the impact of the pandemic on work dynamics, leading to hybrid education and remote work. Dr. Mousumi Sengupta, the Conference Chair, stressed the role of HRM in nurturing organizational sustainability through governance, innovation, and empathy. Mr. Suresh, as the Chief Guest, shared insights on sustainability, discussing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and emphasizing the triple bottom line—Economic, Environmental, and People aspects. The conference was held on December 21-22, 2023.

The valedictory address of the conference was delivered by Dr. Dharma Prasad, CEO, Prosetta Bioconformatics. Dr. Mahesh Rao, CEO, Aashaya Design Solutions, Mr. Ravichandra Bekal, CHRO, Wurth Elektronik India Pvt. Ltd. And Dr K Anantha Gowda, CHRO, Nandi Economic Corridor Enterprises Limited were the other distinguished speakers, during the conference.

During the 2 days of the conference, more than 125 participants discussed and deliberated on the topics, such as, talent Management, corporate sustainability, Emotional Intelligence, Stress Management, HR analytics, HR governance, Global HRM, Change management, work life balance, ethical leadership, diversity management, and Green HRM.