Track 9: Leadership Research & Practice in the Context of Changes in the World of Work (ADCLOD)

Key Details

Host Centre: Ashank Desai Centre for Leadership and Organisational Development (ADCLOD)

Submission Requirements: Extended Abstract (1000 words)

Submission Link:  https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=imrc2025 

 Awards: Two Best Papers: INR 10,000 each

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Call for Papers

Track 9, hosted by the Ashank Desai Centre for Leadership and Organisational Development (ADCLOD), invites papers that explore how the current advances in technology, societal, and political context are affecting those who do the work, who supervise work, and those who design work. With focus on recent research, theoretical advancements and practical applications, this track aims to propel the field of leadership studies forward by fostering scholarly inquiry and facilitating the dissemination of ideas on the future of work. 

The advent of Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4), aided by the release of generative technologies, has led to ‘transformation of systems of production, management and governance’ ((Lokuge at el., 2019; Schwab, 2015). IR4 impacts broadly and globally because of its multi-pronged interface between physical, psychological, digital and biological worlds. Disruptions in technology have been accompanied by labour market disruptions and nature of work (Schlogl et al., 2021). Some challenges owing to the current state of development and adoption of technology have been documented (Santana & Cobo, 2020). The integration of older employees, agility in designing new structures, maintaining satisfaction with work, talent management, stress management due to concerns of job precarity, sustainable HRM, addressing work and personal needs of employees, training in new skills have been identified as issues that need to be addressed by leaders in organizations (Suseno et al., 2023). 

While in the literature there is increasing focus in the literature on some of the challenges of IR4 the literature is also rife with speculation on the consequences of IR4 and disruptive technologies. This track invites papers that move the speculations and document further research on the implication of IR4 within organizations. Any topic that studies the people aspects of the IR4 and all the disruptive technologies are welcome. Research using all methodologies are welcome.

Empirical and theoretical papers that address topics such as (this list is not inclusive of all possible topics)-

• New insights into the role of leadership in the successful adoption of IR4.
• Critiquing research directions in times of change.
• The impact of change on demographic, generational, and socio-cultural dynamics.
• Exploring the impact of political leadership on organizational functioning. 
• The Impact of Digitalization and AI on Shaping the Future of Work.
• Exploring change models to facilitate Digitalization in Organizations.
• The skills that are required for meeting the demands of digitalization among a variety of job roles and functions.
• Reimagining Education and Training Approaches for the Emerging Realities of Work.
• Implications for unionized voice and regulation.
• Sustainable human resources.
• Emerging job roles, job polarization, job redundancies etc among organizations.
• Role of leaders in shaping strategies for the workforce and the workplace.
• The role of leaders and HR professionals in aiding transition to hybrid organization models.
• Designing of reward systems for non-conventional work arrangements.
• Nurturing and monitoring the wellbeing of employees in the current context.
• Fostering and measuring job satisfaction, commitment, engagement in the current context.
• Exploring issues of emerging ethics in the current context and the role of the leader in handling them.

Papers accepted in this track are expected to contribute significantly to scholarly discourse by offering novel insights, advancing theoretical frameworks, and providing evidence-based recommendations for leadership practice in the current context. This track serves as a vital platform for scholars, practitioners, and thought leaders to engage in rigorous discussions, share research findings, and exchange innovative ideas at the intersection of theory and practice in leadership.

We invite extended abstracts and proposals for symposiums. All submissions will be blind peer reviewed. Thus, do ensure that you follow the guidelines for submission.

A symposium will have 4-5 papers on a theme or topic. The symposium must include a 250-word description of the theme and its significance and the extended abstracts of all the papers to be presented in the symposium. If the proposal of the symposium is accepted then the proposers of the symposium will be responsible for ensuring that all papers included in the proposal are presented.