The Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) of The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) will host the 4th International Conference on Management and Entrepreneurship (ICOME 2025) on 11thSeptember 2025in hybrid mode (both online and on-site) at the Centre of Excellence for Water and Sanitation (CEWAS), Ratmalana.
This conference, a flagship event of the Faculty of Management Studies, reflects OUSL’s ongoing commitment to advancing management and entrepreneurship education in Sri Lanka since its establishment in 1980.
Under the theme “Shaping the Future: Innovation, Leadership, and Entrepreneurial Excellence,” ICOME2025 aims to bring together a diverse group of local and international scholars, academics, industry professionals, and policymakers to explore emerging trends, advancements, and challenges in management and entrepreneurship.
It will serve as a platform for sharing innovative ideas, fostering collaborative discussions, and generating actionable insights that will shape the future of business practices, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
By addressing the evolving needs of the global business landscape, ICOME 2025 seeks to inspire sustainable growth, drive innovation, and strengthen the connections between academia and industry. Since its inception in 2022, ICOME has become a premier academic platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration among global researchers. This year, the conference will feature five key thematic tracks and is calling for papers from April 2nd, 2025, to June15th, 2025.
= Accounting, Finance, and Banking
= Work, Organization, and Digital Society
= Marketing, Supply Chain Management and Procurement
= Human Resource Management and Best Practices
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship
In addition to scholarly paper presentations, ICOME 2025 will feature a range of interactive sessions aimed at fostering deeper engagement and stimulating innovative thinking. These include the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, Doctoral Colloquium, Mini Symposium, and the Industrial Forum.
These sessions are designed to strengthen the collaboration between industry and academia, provide a platform for emerging ideas, and encourage dynamic discussions that inspire practical solutions for contemporary business challenges. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts, showcase their work, and gain valuable insights from both academic and industry leaders.
A major highlight of the conference will be the distinguished keynote speakers:
Dr. Gerasimos Balis, PGR Director at the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Bristol, United Kingdom. Dr. Balis is an expert in entrepreneurship, design thinking, and systems thinking. His research focuses on creating university spinout companies, promoting female entrepreneurship in tech, empowering communities through social entrepreneurship, and enhancing nursing entrepreneurship competencies.
His teaching is driven by research on service design for entrepreneurship, using design tools to help entrepreneurs learn faster and achieve greater success.
Dr. Alvise Favotto, Deputy Director of Internationalization, Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. Dr. Favotto specializes in management control systems, corporate accountability, and corporate social responsibility.
His research focuses on labour relations and sustainable business practices. With numerous prestigious research grants and over 17 publications in world-ranked journals, Dr. Favotto continues to influence discussions on corporate governance and ethical business practices.
As the nation’s premier open and distance learning institution, The Open University of Sri Lanka invites scholars, professionals, researchers, and industry leaders from all corners of the globe to contribute to this intellectually enriching event.
ICOME 2025 promises to be a dynamic platform for meaningful dialogue, discovery, and development in the ever-evolving field of management and entrepreneurship. This conference will not only showcase cutting-edge research but also provide valuable opportunities for networking, collaboration, and professional growth.
The discussions and insights shared during ICOME 2025 will help shape the future of business practices, leadership, and innovation, offering participants a chance to influence the trajectory of the management landscape in Sri Lanka and beyond.
We encourage all who are passionate about advancing the field of management to submit their research and be a part of this significant event.
Whether you are an academic, a business practitioner, or an aspiring entrepreneur, ICOME 2025 will provide an invaluable opportunity to explore new ideas, gain knowledge from thought leaders, and contribute to the global conversation on the future of management.
For more information, including paper submission guidelines and registration details, please visit the official website of the Faculty of Management Studies, OUSL at https://icome.ou.ac.lk/ or contact Dr. Aruna Shantha (Conference Chair – 0718373534) and Dr. Ishara Lakmali (Conference Secretary – 0776750929).
