Mysuru: Future corporate managers need to possess core skills such as solving complex problem, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, creativity, judgement and decision-making, people management and coordination with stakeholders to implement sustainable business practices, said Dr. Sebastien, Director of La Rochelle Business School (France), here recently.  

Delivering a keynote address after inaugurating the two-day 5th International Conference on ‘Economic Growth and Sustainable Development: Emerging Trends’ organised at Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute for Management Development (SDM-IMD), Mysuru, he said every company needs to justify its triple bottom line such as economy, environment and society and added that people, planet and profit are postulated as the central aspects of sustainability.  

He also raised concerns on increasing pressure on environment and opined that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could be achieved through responsible management of education. 

Dr. Sebastien argued for the need for industry-academia collaboration to instill sustainability practices. Further, he expressed his apprehension over ethical dilemmas and sustainability practices in business.

H. Gayathri, Deputy Director and Professor – Marketing, SDM-IMD, who spoke on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of United Nations which is built on the principle of “Leaving no one behind” focussed on the holistic approach to achieve sustainable development for all. 

Expressing concern on the impact of environment by economic growth and developments, she said India should focus on ‘Development and Environment’ with prosperity for all approach. 

B. Venkatraja, Conference Chair and Assistant Professor – Economics, SDM-IMD, introducing the conference theme said the event had been organised to deliberate on the factors driving growth and causing economic slowdown in the emerging global open market.
The two-day event featured technical sessions, invitee talks, panel discussions and paper presentations on different issues related to the conference theme.  

K.R. Anjana, General Manager – HR, Tata Consultancy Services, M. Indira, Professor of Economics, University of Mysore and Bharathram Lokkur, Director, Lokkur Investment Advisors Private Limited, delivered talks during technical sessions. 

The panel discussion on the conference theme had Gavin Melles, Professor of Sustainability, Swinburne University, Australia, R. Rajagopal, Founder and CEO, KnowGenix, Mumbai and Jyotsna Belliappa, Head- CSR Assurance at BlueSky as l members. The panel was moderated by M.R. Suresh, Professor, SDM-IMD.

Members from academia, industry and research scholars from different parts of the country and abroad presented more than 140 research papers and case studies on the theme. 

K.R. Viju Parameshwar, former President and CEO of Kluber Lubrication India Private Limited, was the chief guest for the valedictory session.