As the digital revolution forges new frontiers, it is increasingly clear that innovation bears a dual-edged sword, capable of both elevating and eroding business and management practices. The International Conference on Resource Sustainability (icRS) series serve as an international platform for researchers and practitioners around the world with diverse background and expertise to share the most recent ideas, outcomes, and practices on resource sustainability. The icRS RIDE 2025 on Responsible Innovation Management in the Digital Era is convened with the recognition that while innovation management has reshaped our interactions and economies, showcasing remarkable growth and potential, it also presents a myriad of challenges that must be navigated with caution and foresight.

The conference seeks to illuminate the path toward a future where innovations, particularly within the digital era, are managed with a deep sense of responsibility and ethical consideration. By examining the intricate interplay of business management, regulatory considerations and societal norms that impact responsible innovation management, we aim to foster a dialogue that promotes sustainable business models and practices that are sensitive to the needs of diverse global communities. As a call to scholars, industry leaders and policymakers to explore how responsible innovation can address and mitigate the darker aspects of technological advancement, this conference is dedicated to investigating responsible innovation strategies in marketing, management, supply chain, and entrepreneurship disciplines.

icRS embraces interdisciplinarity, welcoming contributions from ANY discipline including natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering on ANY aspect of resource sustainability. We define resource broadly, including physical resources, biological resources, and "misplaced" resources:

• physical resources: metals, non-metallic minerals, energy, water, etc.
• biological resources: food, forestry, land, ecological systems, etc.
• "misplaced" resources: air emissions, water pollutants, solid waste, etc.

icRS RIDE 2025, hosted by University of Nottingham Ningbo China will include invited keynote speeches, parallel sessions, and poster presentations on a variety of topics related to resource sustainability. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Responsible marketing innovation in the digital era

• Big data analytics and marketing innovations
• New product development
• Sustainable consumer behaviour
• Green marketing & ethics
• Sustainable and green brand management
• Price transparency
• AI and sustainability

Responsible management/business model innovation in the digital era

• ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)
• Responsible innovation metrics and performance
• Ethical considerations in innovation management
• Stakeholder engagement in innovation processes
• Social/ethical impacts of innovation technologies
• Sustainable business model innovation
• Innovation in social entrepreneurship

Responsible supply chain management in the digital era

• Supply chain transparency and traceability
• Environmental impact reduction in supply chains
• Circular economy models
• Sustainable packaging and distribution
• Green logistics and carbon footprint reduction
• Collaboration for sustainability across the supply chain
• Renewable energy in supply chain operations
• Waste management and recycling policies

To encourage participation, we will ONLY call for abstracts to submit for the conference. However, authors will have options to select to submit full papers in addition to abstracts to be considered for special issues in supporting journals and the conference’s best paper award.

We also welcome proposals to organize special sessions at icRS RIDE 2025.

icRS RIDE 2025 is in-person only. There will be no option for online presentations.

icRS RIDE 2025 is sponsored by the flagship journal in sustainable resources management Resources, Conservation & Recycling (RCR; 2023 Impact Factor: 11.2) and its sister journal Resources, Conservation & Recycling Advances (RCRADV; 2023 Impact Factor: 5.4). High quality papers presented at icRS RIDE 2025 will be recommended to special issues in these journals as well as other supporting journals.

Important Dates

• December 30, 2024: Deadline for submitting abstracts and special-session proposals
• February 15, 2025: Acceptance of abstracts
• February 28, 2025: Submission of full papers
• March 15, 2025: Early bird registration
• April 25-27, 2025: Conference

icRS RIDE 2025 welcomes submissions of abstracts, full papers, and special session proposals on topics related to sustainable management of resources.

Abstract

All authors who wish to present at the conference should submit an abstract. Abstracts should be submitted in plain text with no more than 300 words, with a clear description of the research questions, importance, and relevance of the research scopes, methods, and results and main findings or expected results and findings. All abstracts must be submitted to the paper management system and will then be peer-reviewed. The abstract should be written in clear and concise English. At least one author of an accepted abstract should register in order to keep the presentation in the program. To submit your abstract, please visit https://culta.kensingtonedu.cn/icrs or scan the QR code below.

Full papers (optional)

Authors of accepted abstracts can choose to submit a full paper manuscript. The accepted full papers would be considered for publication in the book series “Responsible Innovation in Industry” in Springer Nature or one of the special issues associated with this conference. You don’t need to submit a full conference paper if you decide to present your work with an abstract only. All submitted full papers are eligible for the conference’s best paper award. Template of the conference paper can be found at this link.

Sustainable Futures Special Issue Submission: The selected full-paper manuscripts will be reviewed as a cohort for this special issue of Sustainable Futures. All submissions will go through Sustainable Futures’ double-anonymized review and follow journal standard norms and processes. The detailed information will be confirmed in due course.

Special session proposal

The conference also seeks proposals for related workshops and special sessions. Proposals for workshops or special sessions are due February 15, 2025, by email to Dr. Russa Yuan (Russa.yuan@nottingham.edu.cn).

Proposals must be no more than 2 pages, in 12-point font, single-spaced and should contain the following:

• A description of the workshop or special session, including its purpose, format, learning goals, content, and activities.
• An explanation of why the non-traditional format is needed to accomplish the learning goals.
• A schedule.
• A list of presenters/facilitators and their contact information, along with a brief description of their qualifications to successfully accomplish the stated goals.

About Ningbo China

Ningbo is located in the northeast Zhejiang province, facing the East China Sea. 7000 years old, populated with more than six million people and covering over 9,000 square kilometres, Ningbo is a rapidly growing city. Ningbo is one of eastern China's most important port cities and a famous cultural and historical site. Ranked 5th by Forbes list of 'the top cities for business in China, it is a thriving blend of enterprise, culture, education, tradition and entertainment.

Ningbo offers the opportunity to feel at home amongst an array of international shopping outlets, restaurants, clubs and bars. It also provides the chance to embrace culture and tradition. Unique temples and intricate streets house markets boasting a variety of antiques, textiles and delicious Ningbo cuisine. The city is a unique mix of modern buildings and traditional Chinese architecture, complimented with parkland and scenic spots. The surrounding area is known for its spectacular scenery and mountains, forests, beaches, lakes, and waterfalls are all within easy reach of the city.

Travel Information - How to Get to Ningbo?

Plane: Many people fly to Ningbo-Lishe International Airport (NGB). Several major airlines offer flights from the US and Europe with ongoing connections to Ningbo from larger Chinese cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Beijing. The airport is about eight miles southwest of the city center, and there is a regular shuttle bus service from the arrivals terminal to South Ningbo Railway station for ¥10. Taxis are also available and cost ¥50.

Train: Ningbo can be reached by train from most large cities and it is a relatively inexpensive option. A first-class return from Shanghai costs ¥450 and from Hangzhou, a first-class return is about ¥250.

Car: At 22 miles, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge is the world's longest spanning sea bridge and it has shortened the distance between Shanghai and Ningbo dramatically for drivers. Eastern China has good highways and you can drive all the way from Guangzhou in the south via the E60 toll road in about 14 hours.

Bus: Buses from Shanghai and Hangzhou terminate at South Bus Station. Other stations are North, West, East, and Zhongba. South Bus Station is in the Haishu district close to the rail station and just a short distance from the city center. Fares are reasonable and a return trip to Hangzhou is around ¥100.

Taxi: Taxis are widely available but most drivers don't speak English. Ask your hotel receptionist to write down your destination and the cross streets beforehand. Local taxi fare is ¥11 for the first three kilometers and ¥2.4 for every extra kilometer. Taxi fares are estimated to be ¥1,000 from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Ningbo and ¥450 from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to Ningbo.

Visa

Visa invitation letter will be available for download in the registration system after you complete the online registration.