Partners with Florida International University and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India for the two-day event
12 January 2024, Bengaluru: The Centre for Corporate Governance and Sustainability (CCGS) at IIM Bangalore hosted a two-day international conference on, ‘The Changing Landscape of Corporate Governance & Sustainability: Walking the Talk’, at the IIMB campus (will be good if the dates can be mentioned). This edition of the conference assumes greater significance as the centre celebrates its 20th year, coinciding with the Golden Jubilee year of IIM Bangalore. The conference is jointly partnered by Florida International University and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.
The international conference is an initiative aimed at bringing industry and academia together to deliberate on the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) aspects with focus on corporate governance and adoption of sustainability practices.
Welcoming the delegates, Dr. Rishikesha T Krishnan, Director, IIMB, said. “Over the years, CCGS has contributed immensely in research related to sustainability and governance. The centre has done extremely well in terms of facilitating training, collaborations and workshops. We are also happy to have very strong academic partnerships with other institutes as this has enabled us to deepen the research and academic dimensions of the centre.”
The conference saw participation from CEOs, Board members, senior executives, academic leaders, practitioners, and policymakers inclined towards the ESG space. The conference delved deeper into various aspects of corporate governance and sustainability, and focused on the role of leaders, board members and entrepreneurs in seamless execution and adoption.
Delivering the keynote speech at the event, Mr. C.K. Venkataraman, MD, Titan Company, said, “The subject of governance has significantly expanded in the last decade to encompass more than just the financial aspects of corporate management. It now includes corporate responsibility towards society and the planet, emphasising Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. As the world undergoes dramatic changes, the expectations and ethics landscape has evolved. With a rising number of young people as both employees and customers, organisations face increasing internal and external pressures. This changing landscape also highlights the importance of regulation compliances as per the stipulated parameters, prompting companies to recognise their overall responsibilities towards society, vendor partners, employees, and other stakeholders. It is important for leaders of corporations and startups to understand the various facets of sustainability and then work towards them so that they can create a meaningful impact.”
The international conference offered a platform to the stakeholders to share knowledge and ideas, with the stress on current opportunities, trends, challenges and scope of research in the field of corporate governance and sustainability. The sessions also included research paper presentations by academics from India and abroad and showcased keynote addresses, panel discussions, fostering in-depth discussions.
Delivering the academic keynote speech, Dr. Sanjai Bhagat, Prof of Finance, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado, USA said, "With the evolving landscape of corporate responsibilities, it is imperative to find a balance between job creation and environmental impact. We must address the internal inconsistencies of stakeholderism and recognise the global responsibility in reducing carbon emissions. Our commitment to sustainable investment in India aligns with international trends, fostering a dialogue on ESG performance and investor returns."
Paper presentations included academic topics like Board Governance, Disclosures, Risk Management, ESG, Business and Governance, Audit, Climate Change, and Diversity and Inclusion.