Shillong, December 19: The 26th Society of Operations Management (SOM) 2023 Conference, hosted by IIM Shillong, reached its conclusion, capping three days of insightful deliberations on the theme “Sustainability and Resilience in Operations Management.”
Supported by esteemed partners, including the Indian Council of Social Science Research, Emerald Publishing, EBSCO, and TLS Group, the conference attracted an array of participants, contributing to the Doctoral Colloquium and the main conference.
SOM 2023 received a notable 258 papers authored by 513 individuals representing 89 institutions. The submissions encompass contributions from all 21 IIMs in the country.
With approximately 137 authors, 88 authors from IITs, 21 authors from NITs, 113 authors from other leading B-schools in the country, 89 authors from University, 28 authors from industry, and 37 international authors who submitted their papers for the SOM 2023 conference.
In his welcome address, Prof D P Goyal, Director, IIM Shillong, reflected on the institution’s remarkable 15-year journey. Highlighting IIM Shillong’s global standing and unique responsibilities as the sole IIM in the North East, he mentioned the institution’s mission of creating and disseminating knowledge for sustainable development.
Prof Goyal emphasized the alignment of SOM 2023’s theme with IIM Shillong’s core mission, focusing on practical values and sustainability. The Community Immersion Program, an integral part of the curriculum, was hailed for connecting students with the real problems of North Eastern states, fostering resilience and compassion.
Highlighting the rich diversity of this year’s student cohort, where 52% are female, Prof Goyal underscored IIM Shillong’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and enriching educational environment.
During the inaugural address, Shri Atul Kulkarni, member BoG, IIM Shillong, delved into Sustainability in Operations Management. Reflecting on the post-COVID landscape, he introduced the ROAD framework (Resilient, Offshoring, Agility, Disruption) and highlighted India’s exemplary role during the pandemic, demonstrating the potential for exponential growth.
Shri. Kulkarni emphasized the need for India to become a sustainable and efficient supplier of quality goods to the world, addressing challenges in logistics and garnering support from operations management interventions. He called on institutions like IIM Shillong to bridge the gap, especially through initiatives like the Community Immersion Program, aiding corporate India in understanding the region better.
The conference also featured keynote sessions by eminent speakers, including Prof. Jose Arturo Garza Reyes from the University of Derby, Prof S.G Deshmukh from IIT Delhi, Prof Britta Gammelgaard from Copenhagen Business School, Prof Devinder Banwet from the University of Engineering and Management.
Prof Ravi Shankar from IIT Delhi, and Prof. Vidyasagar Potdarfrom Curtin University. Additionally, a session on Digital Horizons was conducted by the conference Technology Partner on their vision.
As the SOM 2023 Conference concludes, participants are urged to carry the acquired knowledge and that these shared learnings cultivate enriched experiences that reverberate far beyond the confines of these three days, becoming enduring sources of inspiration in their professional and personal endeavors.
