IIM Sambalpur, one of India’s premier management institutions, hosted the Production and Operations Management Society (POMS) India International Conference 2025. The four-day conference,organised in collaboration with the POMS India Chapter, brought together leading global scholars, industry leaders and academicians, reaffirming the institute’s commitment to shaping the future of operations and supply-chain management in India and beyond.

The Production and Operations Management Society (POMS) US based is an international professional organisation representing operations and supply-chain management professionals worldwide. The conference underscored how geopolitical tensions, climate change, pandemics and rapid technological disruptions are fundamentally reshaping global supply chains, making resilience,digital integration and sustainability critical priorities for businesses across sectors. 

The inaugural conference was graced by Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, Mr. Sashi Shekhar Mohanty ,MD&CEO Essar Minmet Ltd, Chief Guest,Dr. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, National Educational Technology Forum (NETF)& Chairman NBA, Prof. Subodha Kumar, President, POMS,& FOX school Of Business,Prof. Sajeev A. George, President, POMS India Chapter, Prof. Chandan Chowdhury, Executive Director and, Indian School of Business (ISB), Prof. Nagesh Murthy, Associate Executive Director, POMS, Prof. Kaustov Chakraborty,Conference Chair, and Prof. Sandip Mukhopadhyay, Conference Co-Chair, IIM Sambalpur.

The conference featured a distinguished group of speakers from globally renowned institutions, including the University of Michigan(US), Scheller College of Business, Pamplin College of Business and Fox School of Business (USA), along with academicians from IIT Bombay, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Kozhikode and the Indian School of Business.

With more than 500 participants, students, research scholars, academicians and industry leaders, from top government & private institutions across the globe including MIT World Peace University, Royal Holloway University of London, UK, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, University of Liverpool, UK IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, XLRI,IIT Kharagpur, IIT Dhanbad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta,IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Visakhapatnam, IIM Udaipur, NIT Patna, IIM Sambalpur highlighted the importance of collaborative thinking in building supply chains that are adaptive, transparent and net-positive. The conference featured keynote sessions, panel discussions and research dialogues focusing on India￾centric operations management research, transitioning global supply chains from resilience to regeneration, and producing high-quality operations management research.

Speaking on the role of technology and management education, Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, said, “Global disruption is inevitable, impacting not just businesses but also institutions that train future leaders. Digitalisation,decarbonisation and democratisation are reshaping operations, and future managers must learn new technologies, embrace sustainability and practise inclusive business strategies. India has emerged as a major hub for Global Capability Centres, with 53% of global GCCs located in the country, making it a critical part of the global digital supply chain of services.”

Addressing the gathering, Mr.Sashi Shekhar Mohanty, Chief Guest, highlighted the fragility of today’s hyper-connected supply chains. “Today’s supply chains are deeply interconnected, and even small disruptions in materials or logistics can halt operations. Future managers must understand operations, energy, supply chains, and digital systems to deal with this complex and rapidly evolving world.”

Dr. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, National Educational Technology Forum(NETF),& Chairman NBA, said, “India’s infrastructure and digital initiatives have strengthened supply chains, ensured educational continuity during COVID, and positioned the country as a leader in digital transactions and operations innovation.”

Prof. Sajeev A. George, President, POMS India Chapter, said, “Geopolitics, climate change and rapidly evolving technologies demand that we reimagine global supply chains. The focus must move beyond cost and efficiency towards net-positive,resilient and sustainable futures that integrate social, economic and environmental dimensions.”

IIM Sambalpur continues to play a vital role in promoting research-driven excellence and advancing knowledge in operations and supply-chain management by connecting global experts, industry practitioners and scholars to address emerging challenges. By nurturing the next generation of leaders, the institute is helping build resilient, sustainable and future-ready supply chains, strengthening India’s position as a key contributor to global supply networks.

On the third day of the conference (15th), a Fireside Chat on ‘The B-School Conundrum’ will feature Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, Prof.Chandan Chowdhury, Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, and Prof. Vishal Talwar, University of Southampton, Delhi Campus, discussing how to balance placements, research, and entrepreneurship for sustainable impact.