MDRC 2025: Management Doctoral & Researcher's Colloquium 2025 Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Kolkata Campus Kolkata, India, December 10-12, 2025

Management Doctoral and Researcher’s Colloquium (Hybrid) - 2025

Securing Business Growth & Sustainability: Management and Economic Perspectives

10-12 DECEMBER 2025

About Indian Institute of Foreign Trade

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) was set up in 1963 by the Government of India as an autonomous organisation to help professionalise the country's foreign trade management and increase exports by developing human resources, analyzing and disseminating data and conducting research. IIFT is engaged in research projects and consultancy for various governments and leading corporate houses and multi-lateral bodies. Research occupies a crucial place in the spectrum of IIFT’s activities because of the institutional emphasis on a pervasive interface between research and training. IIFT Kolkata offers Doctoral Programs in Economics and several Management disciplines like General Management & Strategy, Finance, Marketing, IT, and Quantitative Techniques. The institute also conducts MDP for both government bodies as well as private corporate firms based on their needs.

About Management Doctoral and Researcher’s Colloquium 2025

Earlier editions of Management Doctoral and Researcher’s Colloquium (MDRC) organized by the Research Division of IIFT Kolkata has received a wide recognition from the researchers across various Universities and Institutions in India. The enthusiastic and positive responses from the participants during the previous Colloquiums inspire us to continue this effort. Special workshop sessions will be introduced to help the Ph.D. students to streamline their research thought sand have a well-defined Ph.D. thesis. A few invited Researchers may also participate in the MDRC.

Objective

• Opportunity to discuss ongoing research with other doctoral students and leading academicians in the field of management.
• Attract Doctoral Scholars working in various fields of Management and Economics, which will help in knowledge sharing, understanding and promoting the best practices/barriers and motivate researchers to address the new research gaps/issues.

Call for Extended Abstract/Papers

• Type I: Research Design Presentation - Scholars who are in their initial stages of Ph.D. Research/ completed their coursework/ made progress in research proposal are expected to participate under this track. Participants are not expected to present detailed technical analysis and are requested to follow the following structure for paper submission: Introduction, extensive literature survey, research gaps, objectives, proposed hypothesis, proposed methodology, expected contribution to the literature.
• Type II: Advanced Research Paper Presentation - Research scholars who have made progress in Doctoral Thesis work/are about to submit their thesis/ have submitted their thesis/ are waiting for defense are expected to participate. Participants are requested to follow the following structure for paper submission: Introduction, extensive literature review, research gaps, objectives, hypothesis, methodology, interpretation of results, conclusion and policy/ managerial implications.

Paper Submission Guidelines

The participants may submit an Extended Abstract (not exceeding 750 words) / Full paper (not exceeding 7000 words) in the following format:

1. Introduction and motivation

2. Literature Review

3. Objectives

4. Data & Methodology

5. Results and findings (only for Type II)

6. Contribution & Conclusion

MDRC 2025 - Key Benefits

Publication Opportunities: 

• All Submitted and accepted abstract for MDRC will be published in a "Book of Abstract" (with ISBN).
• Selected Quality Submissions may also be considered for publication in Foreign Trade Review (FTR) (ABDC B Ranked Journal) & other reputed journals provided, they fulfill the quality standards and fit into their aims & Scope.

Methodology Workshops:

Several workshop on important Research Methodologies will be organized as part of the MDRC:

• Structural Equation Modelling
• Sustainability tools and frameworks
• Bibliometrix & Systematic literature review
• Interpretive Structural Modelling
• Time Series Analysis
• Strategic Management Workshop

Detailed workshop agenda will be mailed to the participants whose paper will be shortlisted for presentation.

Best Paper Award:

All full Paper submissions may beconsidered for best paper awards by the stipulated time in the following core disciplines:

• Accounting/Finance
• Economics
• Business Strategy/HR/Organisational Behaviour
• Trade Logistics/Operation Management/Supply Chain Management
• Marketing
• Quantitative Techniques/Information Technology.

Important Dates:

• Registration Starts - 1st July 2025
• Submission of Abstract/Full Paper - 1st October 2025
• Communication of Acceptance - 20th November 2025
• Completion of Registration Process - 25th November 2025