After a successful inaugural workshop in 2024, we are pleased to invite submissions for the second Centre for Sustainable Business (CSB) Paper and Idea Development Workshop which will take place in London, UK.

The workshop will be formed of two parts, each with a different objective: gathering feedback and fostering the generation of new ideas. In the first part, participants will present their ongoing work in an innovative format, with most of the session dedicated to receiving comprehensive, constructive feedback from their peers. This feedback will be instrumental in refining and advancing their work-in-progress papers, with the aim of enhancing their potential for publication. The second part offers the opportunity to engage with new colleagues and collaboratively explore fresh research ideas relevant to the field of sustainable business. Through an interactive, creativity-driven approach, participants will work together to develop actionable concepts for new research papers and proposals.

CSB envisions a future where businesses and societies no longer question the rationale behind sustainable practices, but instead focus on the urgent need for actionable solutions. This workshop is designed to identify and address the sustainability challenges that will be critical in both the short and long term. The goal is to gain deeper insights into how businesses and entrepreneurs can proactively prepare for the upcoming wave of sustainability issues. Drawing on concepts such as prescience—anticipating the knowledge and skills required by managers and entrepreneurs to navigate an uncertain future—and prospective theorizing—developing innovative solutions to emerging sustainability challenges—we invite submissions from scholars who offer a forward-looking perspective on sustainable business. We are particularly interested in contributions that explore potential future scenarios and take a constructive approach to guiding businesses in their preparations for these challenges.

We welcome conceptual and empirical paper submissions that create novel insights regarding the following three themes:

• Emerging crises: Identifying the next wave of social and environmental issues

While significant challenges such as achieving net zero emissions and addressing poverty remain largely unresolved, emerging issues like biodiversity preservation and social justice are increasingly highlighting the growing complexity of the sustainability agenda. Despite this, the business sector has been slow to fully recognize the urgency of proactively addressing these next-generation challenges. We are looking for submissions that explore novel social and environmental issues and demonstrate how firms and entrepreneurs are actively engaging with and adapting to these evolving demands.

• Putting impact central: Identifying ways for business to live in harmony with socio-ecological systems

Sustainability has become a central focus for businesses, with many increasingly committing to address social and environmental challenges. Despite these efforts, questions remain regarding the true impact of corporate sustainability initiatives, including ESG investing, impact entrepreneurship, and circular business models. Data on critical metrics, such as the Planetary Boundaries and the Sustainable Development Goals, presents a sobering outlook on current progress. In light of this, we invite submissions that explore how firms, entrepreneurs, and investors evolve their practices to prioritise positive societal and environmental impact, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between business and socio-ecological systems.

• Anticipating unintended consequences: Identifying side effects of sustainable business solutions and ways to address them

A growing number of sustainable business solutions are entering the market, offering products and services that claim to be net-zero, eco-friendly, fair trade, organic, and free from modern slavery or deforestation, often backed by certifications. However, many of these solutions may not effectively address the core issues they are meant to solve, and in some cases, they can even exacerbate related social and environmental challenges. Digital innovations, such as AI-driven sustainability solutions, are a key example, where there is often a lack of understanding of the potential negative impacts when scaled. We encourage submissions that explore how firms and entrepreneurs proactively anticipate and mitigate the unintended consequences of their sustainability initiatives. We are particularly interested in examining how such efforts reshape the landscape of sustainability strategies and drive more impactful, responsible solutions.

To apply for participation in the workshop, please submit a work-in-progress paper by sending it to sustainablebusiness@kcl.ac.uk, before the deadline of January 31st, 2025.

Only submissions meeting the following criteria will be considered for the workshop:

• Papers must be work in progress and fall broadly within one of the three themes.
• Paper length must be between 5,000 and 10,000 words, including references, tables, and figures.

There is no workshop fee. Coffee and lunch will be provided. Costs for travel and stay is for participants’ own expense. Please note that due to space constraints and the aim to stimulate feedback, creativity and discussion, there will be limited spaces available.

Agenda

09:00 - 09:30AM	Registration and breakfast
09:30 - 09:45 AM	Welcome and workshop opening   Jonatan Pinkse, Catherine Tilley & Laura Spence
09:45 - 12:00 AM	PechaKucha presentations (10 slides x 20 seconds)
12:00 - 01:00 PM	Presentation feedback and Q&A
01:00 - 02:00 PM	Lunch break
02:00 - 02:15PM	Creating fresh ideas for sustainable business research Jonatan Pinkse
02:15 - 03:15 PM	Breakout groups to brainstorm and refine research ideas
03:15 - 03:45 PM	Comfort break
03:45 - 05:15 PM	Consolidation and feedback session
05:15 - 05:30 PM	Closing remarks