Academic Symposium

2026 Call for Extended Abstracts and Papers 

Scholars are invited to submit science-based research that advances resilient food and bioeconomy systems as our industry navigates profound environmental, geopolitical, technological, and societal transformations that are fundamentally reshaping how we produce, distribute, and consume food globally. Authors of accepted papers and posters will present during the academic Symposium of the IFAMA 2026 World Conference, in Cork, Ireland on 15–16 June, 2026.The theme: Rooted in Resilience, Revitalizing agri-food systems for an uncertain tomorrow,

We welcome submissions that provide sound management guidance for food and agribusiness stakeholders on these contemporary challenges:

Climate change and environmental sustainability
Food and agribusiness managers must balance long-term economic and environmental sustainability while managing immediate climate shocks. Challenges include designing sustainable business models, engaging stakeholders in eco-friendly innovation, and managing climate risks and compliance, among others.

Financial strategy and economic risk management
Economic volatility requires agribusiness managers to develop sophisticated financial planning, risk mitigation, and strategic positioning capabilities.

Human capital and organizational development
Agribusiness managers must address evolving workforce requirements, leadership development needs, and organizational learning capabilities in rapidly changing environments.

Corporate and supply chain resilience
Political instability, trade disruptions, and commodity market volatility require sophisticated risk management capabilities and strategic flexibility from agribusiness leaders.

Digitalization and the future of agri-food systems
Emerging technologies—including AI, automation, biotechnology, blockchain, and digital finance—are transforming agri-food systems. Managers must navigate opportunities in data intelligence, precision agriculture, smart sustainability solutions, and digital consumer engagement while addressing implementation challenges and strategic positioning.

Consumer health and corporate responsibility in food systems
Consumers increasingly prioritize health and nutrition in purchasing decisions, creating challenges for food companies navigating stringent governmental regulatory frameworks requiring scientific substantiation of health claims and corporate accountability under sustainability reporting directives.

Social issues in farming and due diligence
New due diligence legislation requires companies to identify and address human rights and environmental impacts throughout agricultural supply chains. Critical concerns include child labor, gender inequality, and inadequate living wages for smallholder farmers. Improved access to resources, land rights, and financial services represents both a social imperative and strategic opportunity for sustainable agricultural development.

Authors will be asked to identify 1–2 hot topics when uploading their proposals or papers into the manuscript submission portal.

Theme 1: Internal organization & HRM
Studies focusing on talent acquisition, skills development, succession planning, knowledge management, and organizational culture transformation provide frameworks for building adaptive organizational capacity.

Theme 2: Organizational behavior, leadership & change management
Research examining technology adoption, change management, digital capability development, and innovation diffusion offers insights for managers navigating technological transitions while maintaining competitive advantage.

Theme 3: Supply chain (network) management & organization
Research addressing supplier diversification, scenario planning, crisis response protocols, and stakeholder relationship management during uncertainty provides guidance for navigating complex global markets and maintaining operational continuity. Topics include supply chain analysis, organizational theory, social life cycle assessment, and LCA-based ecolabel methodology.

Theme 4: Entrepreneurship & innovation management
Research examining innovative business models, entrepreneurial strategy, and commercialization pathways in food and agribusiness explore new venture creation, innovation financing, digital ecosystem development, sustainability-driven entrepreneurship, and intrapreneurial approaches. 

Theme 5: Strategic management, economics & control
Research addressing portfolio diversification, financial instruments, investment decision-making under uncertainty, and performance optimization offers tools for balancing profitability, growth, and sustainability objectives. Topics include circular economy, green finance, and investment strategies.

Theme 6: Marketing management & consumer behavior
Research on health-driven product innovation, transparent communication strategies, and inclusive nutrition positioning across diverse socioeconomic segments provides guidance for competitive positioning

Research opportunities include frameworks for climate adaptation, sustainability implementation, stakeholder coordination, and performance measurement systems balancing environmental stewardship with operational efficiency. Comparative analyses across diverse agricultural contexts and regulatory environments offer valuable insights for strategic decision-making.

Authors will be asked to identify 1-2 themes when uploading their proposals or papers into the manuscript submission portal

Best Paper Competition

The aim of the Best Paper Competition is to attract and recognize research that distinctively rises above the normal criteria of selected Symposium presentations and offers authors a double-blind peer-review process and opportunity to be published in IFAMA’s journal, in the IFAMR 2026 Conference Edition. Authors are invited to submit their best scientific research for consideration in the Best Paper Award competition. To participate, please submit a full paper by 13 January, 2026. 

Best Paper Chair: Ram Acharya
Professor, New Mexico State University, USA

For questions about the Best Paper Competition, please email: acharyar@nmsu.edu.

Case Conference & Teaching Cases

The International Food and Agribusiness Management Association is committed to developing and showcasing best practice in case study writing, teaching, and learning to promote problem-solving and knowledge transfer skills in the next generation of agri-food management talent.

The Case Conference track of IFAMA’s academic Symposium is directed at a broad audience of professionals who are interested in developing effective food and agribusiness related cases and using them as learning tools, as well as for those interested in the specific case topics discussed. The Teaching Case Workshop also includes “featured cases” that are structured to provide constructive feedback to the case writers on their cases and discussion leadership skills. By modeling the case discussion process, we hope to encourage others to write cases or use cases (and the case discussion method) in their classes. IFAMA will showcase the best teaching case studies and recognize the Best Teaching Case with an award.

Case Conference Co-Chairs: 

Bernardo Piazzardi, Executive Director at MBA in Agribusiness Universidad Austral, Argentina
Susana Falcão, Executive Director, Fondation Ondjyla, Switzerland
Rocío Reina Paniagua, Professor of Business Policy, San Telmo Business School, Spain

For questions about the Case Conference, please email: BPiazzardi@austral.edu.ar.

Special Issue and Publication

Authors are invited to submit their best research and case studies for inclusion in the 2026 Conference Special Issue, published in IFAMA’s Journal, the International Food and Agribusiness Review (IFAMR).

The 2026 Scientific Review Committee will identify full papers that meet the criteria for inclusion in the Special Issue and those papers will be nominated as a finalist for the Best Paper Competition. Papers nominated for Best Paper are sent to the BPA Chair for a comprehensive and fast-track double-blind peer review. For more information, contact Ram Acharya, acharyar@nmsu.edu.

Symposium Chairs

Scientific Committee

TBA
 

Verena Otter
Associate Professor for Supply Chain Network Organisation & Innovation, Business Management & Organisation (BMO) Chair Group; Wageningen University, Netherlands

Tracy Bradfield
Lecturer in Economics of Sustainable Business, Department of Economics, University College Cork, Ireland