Sustainability at the Crossroads: What’s Next?
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Istanbul is excited to welcome esteemed academics and business leaders for the prestigious Strategic Management Society’s (SMS) 44th Annual Conference, taking place from October 19th to 22nd.
We are honored to host one of the limited pre-conference extensions ahead of this renowned event.
Titled “Sustainability at the Crossroads: What’s Next?”, the extension, coordinated by the Sabancı Business School organizing committee, aims to foster convergence by bringing together various stakeholders in the sustainability field. The goal is to catalyze collaborative efforts toward developing sustainable business models for the future.
Today’s grand societal challenges are unprecedented. The economic growth aspirations of firms historically have been driving carbon emissions and environmental pollution. A staggering $44 trillion, half of the world’s GDP, relies on nature. Climate risks jeopardize global wealth, quality of life, and economic growth. Despite heightened awareness and sustainability efforts, these grand challenges persist, demanding urgent action.
“Globalization is evolving into a multi-stakeholder, empathy-focused common culture of life, beyond the transfer of goods and people” which places sustainability at the epicenter of this “cultural revolution”, says Sabanci Holding CEO Cenk Alper at the 54th Davos Summit in 2024.
Addressing grand challenges in general, and considering environmental impact while accelerating economic performance in particular is a hitherto unsolved mystery facing organizations which, once solved, can unlock the potential for paving the way for a new “mission-driven capitalism”. Hence, it becomes imperative for scholars, businesspeople, consultants, and government officials to navigate these uncharted waters collectively.
However, sustainability is at a crossroads, marked by fault lines between developed and developing economies, academia and industry, varying political ideologies, and the dichotomy between businesses genuinely committed to sustainability and those who merely see it as a public relations exercise. We plan to deeply examine the topics such as the differing approaches to sustainability between developing and developed countries, potential synergies between profit-driven corporations and public institutions, and corporate social responsibility initiatives and their impact on society and the environment.
Through an engaging program, the extension strives to provide a platform for diverse stakeholders to learn from one another and engage in meaningful dialogue. Participants will have the opportunity to glean insights from keynote speeches delivered by leading scholars and executives, engage in panel discussions featuring both academics and practitioners and cultivate valuable connections through networking opportunities. By facilitating such interactions, this extension endeavors to catalyze collaborative efforts towards sustainable business models of the future.
1. STRATEGY & SUSTAINABILITY: THE ACADEMIC VIEW
This academic plenary session provides a comprehensive overview of the latest sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility research. Esteemed scholars will present key findings, explore competing theories, and identify research frontiers. By consolidating the academic landscape, this session serves as a foundation for the day’s discussions, inspiring collaborative research and informing practical business strategies. Attendees will gain valuable insights to drive impactful initiatives towards a sustainable future.
08.30 - 09.00 Registration & Breakfast
09.00 - 09.10 Welcome speech
Ayşegül Toker - Sabancı Business School
09.15 - 09.30 Opening speech
Cevdet Alemdar - Mobility Solutions SBU President at Sabancı Holding
09.35 - 10.50 Strategy & Sustainability: The Academic View
Moderator: Remzi Gözübüyük - Associate Professor of Strategy at Sabancı Business School
Jonathan Doh - Rammrath Chaired Professor in International Business at Villanova University
Rodolphe Durand - Joly Family Chaired Professor in Purposeful Leadership at HEC Paris
Olga Hawn - Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Jasjit Singh - Professor of Strategy and the Paul Dubrule Chaired Professor of Sustainable Development at INSEAD
10.50 - 11.15 Coffee Break
2. STRATEGY & SUSTAINABILITY: INSIGHTS FROM SECTOR LEADERS
This executive roundtable will explore the strategic integration of sustainability. The session is designed for business leaders seeking to enhance their organization’s sustainability performance and academic researchers interested in impactful research. C-suite leaders will share insights on their organization's, as well as, the business ecosystem's role in addressing challenges, key progress points, and obstacles. By fostering open dialogue, this session aims to identify actionable strategies for accelerating initiatives, leveraging technology, and influencing industry standards.
11.20 - 12.35 Strategy & Sustainability: Insights from Sector Leaders
Moderator: Murat Tarakçı - Professor and Chair of Innovation Strategy at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
Cevdet Alemdar - the Energy, Environment and Climate Change Round Table Leader at TUSIAD & Mobility Solutions SBU President at Sabancı Holding
Tankut Turnaoğlu - AmCham Turkey Chair, CEO and Chairman of the Board -Turkey, Caucasus & Central Asia at Procter & Gamble
Cahit Erdoğan - Assistant General Manager - Commercial and SME Banking Management at Yapı Kredi Bank
Cenk Koçdor - Chief Sales Officer at Brisa Bridgestone Sabancı
12.40 - 13.35 Light Lunch
3. SUSTAINABILITY IN EMERGING MARKETS
This session scrutinizes the complexities faced by emerging markets in balancing rapid growth with sustainability imperatives. By contrasting challenges with those of developed regions, particularly the EU, participants will explore how sustainability can be transformed into a competitive advantage. With local practical insights as a case study, this session brings together academia, business, and consulting perspectives to address the most pressing issues.
13.40 - 14.55 Sustainability in Emerging Markets
Moderator & Speaker: Alvaro Cuervo-Cazurra - Professor of International Business and Strategy at Northeastern University
Sinziana Dorobantu - Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at NYU Stern School of Business
Elif Seçgin - Principal at Boston Consulting Group
Irina Surdu-Nardella - Professor of International Business & Strategy at Warwick Business School
Mehmet Üvez - Deputy Head of Turkey and the Head of Ankara Resident Office at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Özlem Ünlüer - Sustainability Director at Beko
15.00 - 15.25 Coffee Break
4. STORIES FROM THE TRENCHES: SUSTAINABILTY JOURNEYS
This session offers a deep insight into the realities of implementing sustainability strategies. Sustainability leaders will share firsthand experiences, challenges, and triumphs. They will aim to uncover how sustainability has transformed business models, corporate cultures, and strategic direction. We will discover the motivations driving these leaders, the balance between short-term gains and long-term vision, and the critical steps needed to advance sustainability initiatives.
15.30 - 16.45 Stories from the Trenches: Sustainability Journeys
Moderator: Ata Can Bertay - Director of Corporate Governance Forum & Assistant Professor of Finance at Sabancı Business School
Pınar Akçayöz De Neve - Private Sector Partnerships Program Analyst at UN Women
Gamze Gökçen Pilevne - General Counsel, Senior Compliance Officer, ESG Coordinator & Corporate Secretary at Mercedes-Benz Türk
Dicle Kocaoğlu - Sustainability Leader at Ford Otosan
Giulio Nardella - Associate Professor of Sustainability & Global Strategy at ESCP Business School
Derya Özet Yalgı - Sustainability Director at Sabancı Holding
16.45 - 17.00 Closing Remarks
Nüfer Yasin Ateş - Hüsnü Paçacıoğlu Chair in Management and Associate Professor of Strategy and Organization at Sabancı Business School
17.00 - 18.30 Guided Museum Tour & Networking Cocktail
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1) Click the 'Register' link in this webpage. This will direct you to the SMS event registration webpage.
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"Sustainability At The Crossroads: What’s Next?" is a gathering designed for a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about driving positive change in academia and the business world.
Whether you are a researcher, educator, entrepreneur, corporate leader, or policymaker, your unique perspective and expertise are welcome.
This event offers a vital platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, where we can all learn from each other and work towards a more sustainable future.
"Sustainability At The Crossroads: What’s Next?" is a gathering designed for a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about driving positive change in academia and the business world.
Whether you are a researcher, educator, entrepreneur, corporate leader, or policymaker, your unique perspective and expertise are welcome.
This event offers a vital platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, where we can all learn from each other and work towards a more sustainable future.
For sponsorship opportunities and to discuss how we can customize a package that meets your goals, please contact: habibe.acik@sabanciuniv.edu or nufer.ates@sabanciuniv.edu
Why sponsor us?
- Opportunities for being keynote speakers, panelists, moderators, and participants
- Chance to share corporate experience with global academic participants and local sustainability leaders
- New collaboration opportunities
- Valuable connections with the academic world
- Latest global developments
- Current research findings
- Insights on sustainable growth
Your sponsorship will not only demonstrate your leadership in sustainability but also contribute directly to the success of an event dedicated to shaping actionable strategies and fostering a community dedicated to global change.
Sakıp Sabancı Museum
Emirgan, Sakıp Sabancı Cd. No:42, 34467 Sariyer/Istanbul/Türkiye
Please note that there will be shuttle buses between Bomonti Hilton Hotel in Sisli to the Museum in Emirgan both in the morning and evening.
Parking opportunities: The capacity of the museum car park is limited to 30 vehicles. If the parking lot is full, vehicles cannot be taken inside the Museum gate, but there can be parking opportunities in Ispark areas along the coastal road.
Land transport: The closest bus stop is Emirgan-Cinaralti on the coastline.
Bus lines that regularly pass from this stop:
- 22RE Kabatas - Resitpasa
- 25E Kabatas - Sariyer
- 22 Kabatas - İstinye Dereici
- 40 Taksim - Sariyer
- 40T Taksim - İstinye Dereici
- 42T Taksim – Bahcekoy
- EL1 Emirgân - 4. Levent Metro Ring
- EL2 Emirgân - 4. Levent Metro Ring
- 59RH Rumeli Hisarustu - İstinye/Haciosman Metro
Ferry lines: There are ferry services from Emirgan pier to İstinye, Kanlica, Kandilli, Anadoluhisari, Bebek, Arnavutkoy and Cengelkoy.
There are trips to Besiktas and Kadikoy from the Istinye sea bus pier.
To ensure you stay connected throughout our event, we offer complimentary Wi-Fi access for all attendees.
For specific instructions or assistance regarding the network name and password, please refer to the event staff or visit the information desk.
Event language is English. There will not be translation services for the event.
The Strategic Management Society (SMS) is an individual member-based organization that is unique in bridging the worlds of reflective practice and thoughtful scholarship while supporting the development and dissemination of strategic management insights and fostering contacts and interchange around the world.
Founded in 1981, SMS enjoys the support of over 3,000 members, representing 1,100+ institutions and organizations in 70+ countries.
SMS offers several conferences throughout the year that bring together top scholars, executives, and consultants from around the world to explore a unique theme that addresses the current business landscape and the strategic challenges facing business leaders today.
The SMS Annual Conference brings together around 1,000 attendees alternating between locations in Europe and North America. As the largest SMS event, the Annual Conference is host to the SMS Awards ceremony, in addition to workshops, panels, research presentation sessions, and networking opportunities.
Extensions are one-day topical workshops held in a city close to the Annual Conference location that take place in the days leading up to or following the conference. Extensions offer an in-depth exploration of a topic related to the Annual Conference theme.
Extension registration is separate from conference registration.
Conference registration is not required for participation in an Extension.
The SMS Annual Conference is the annual general meeting of the Strategic Management Society. This year’s SMS conference will include the “Strategic Management of Fault Lines, Contradictions, and Divergences” theme in Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center.
The strategic management evolved with new paradigms, methodologies, and new questions. As evidenced by the number of interest groups in SMS, strategic management branched into sub-areas by building on the fundamentals of economics, sociology, psychology, and other fields.
This conference examines the fault lines, contradictions, and divergences among strategic management paradigms in scholarship and practice.
Istanbul, with deep historical roots in multiple civilizations across millennia, is perhaps the best location for this theme.
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