International Conference ICECH 2026: Strategic Orientation Amid Uncertainty and Business Transformation

On August 21-22, 2026, the 14th International Conference on Emerging Challenges (ICECH 2026) was held under the theme “Navigating Business Uncertainty and Transformation".

Presentation of gifts to co-organizing units

18 Discussion Sessions, Over 120 Research Papers

ICECH 2026 attracted nearly 200 participants, both in-person and online. In addition to domestic authors, the conference welcomed international researchers from countries including the UK, Italy, Australia, France, the United States, Indonesia, South Korea, and Taiwan. With a high volume of submissions, the organizing committee selected over 120 reports for presentation in the official sessions, alongside three keynote research papers delivered by leading speakers.

ICECH 2026 focused on key topics such as strategic transformation management, dual transformation, digital technology in management, green supply chain management, and smart finance especially relevant amid ongoing economic volatility.

Speaker delivers presentation during parallel session

Three International Speakers, Diverse Perspectives

Opening the program on the morning of August 21, Professor Hussain Rammal of the University of Adelaide (Australia) presented on Digital Twins as a strategic tool for sustainable and resilient global business operations. This technology has been adopted by major corporations such as Unilever and Siemens to guide their global activities.

Professor Hussain Rammal delivers keynote address

Professor Liu Zhenya (EM Normandie Business School, France), a leading expert in financial econometrics and fund management with experience at the IMF headquarters and JP Morgan Futures, spoke about managing fear and anxiety in investment amid market volatility and shifts in the global business environment.

Professor Liu Zhenya delivers keynote address remotely

The third plenary speaker, Professor Sudha Mani (Monash University, Australia), a marketing expert and co-editor of the top academic journal Industrial Marketing Management, addressed how to enhance multilateral cooperation in publishing high-quality scientific research for scholars from Vietnam a topic of growing concern as Vietnamese universities aim for top regional and global rankings.

When Academia Meets Practice: Business Transformation in an Uncertain Economy

A highlight of ICECH 2026 was the Industry Talk session, themed “Business Transformation in an Uncertain World.” The session was designed to facilitate direct exchanges between scientists and business leaders on three core issues: strategic orientation in an uncertain economy, technological transformation, and management for business transformation. The discussion was moderated by Professor Francesca Spigarelli (University of Macerata, Italy) and Associate Professor Pham Thi Kim Ngoc, Vice Rector of the School of Economics (Hanoi University of Science and Technology).

Industry Talk session addresses key business themes

On the first topic, strategy amid uncertainty, Dr. Chu Van Giap (Board Member, Vinachem) shared practical experiences in green transformation management within the chemical industry, providing insights into how businesses adjust strategies to adapt to changes in the business environment. For the technology transformation topic, Dr. Roberto Montanari (ReLab, Italy) offered practical perspectives highlighting the pivotal role of technology in corporate transformation. The third topic focused on management for business transformation, with Mr. Hoang Quoc Anh (Deputy Secretary General and CEO, Vietnam Independent Directors Association - VNIDA) discussing governance innovation during enterprise digital transformation.

Academic Impact and the Far-Reaching Value of ICECH 2026

ICECH 2026 featured sessions with research on contemporary issues impacting business operations, such as AI applications, digital transformation management, innovation, digital finance, ESG practices, sustainable supply chain development, and green consumer behavior. The event provided an opportunity for scholars to expand professional networks, exchange methodologies, and develop new research collaborations, fostering an open and practical academic environment for faculty, researchers, and students to access new trends and business practices.

The annual ICECH (International Conference on Emerging Challenges) has a 14-year history as a prestigious forum for economic experts, researchers, and scholars from Vietnam and around the world to share and offer practical solutions for emerging economies. ICECH 2026 focused primarily, though not exclusively, on Asia-Pacific countries.

Outstanding and high-quality research papers from the conference will have the opportunity to be published in reputable international journals such as The Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment (JSF&I) (ESCI, Q1), Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies (JABES) (ESCI, Q1), Journal of International Financial Management and Accounting (SSCI, Q1), Journal of Internet Commerce (SSCI, Q1), Pacific Asia Journal of the Association for Information Systems (ESCI, Q2), and L’Industria (Scopus, Q4).

The organizing committee presented Best Paper awards to the following authors:

- Francesca Spigarelli (University of Macerata, Italy), Lorenzo Compagnucci (University of Macerata, Italy), Donato Iacobucci (Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Italy), Francesco Perugini (Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Italy) for the paper “Parent Universities, Institutional Quality, and the Development of Academic Spin-Offs: Evidence from a Longitudinal Analysis.”

- Nguyen Thuy Anh and Nguyen Thi Nga Anh (Foreign Trade University, Vietnam) for the paper “Effects of Financial Literacy on Scam Vulnerability among Working Adults: Evidence in Vietnam”.

- Huy Viet Hoang (University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City) for the paper “Risk on Tap: Drinking Culture and Corporate Earnings Volatility”.

- Nguyen Ngoc Anh (VNU International School), Pham Thi Xuan Thoa, Tran Thu Hang, Vu Huong Linh, Hoang Quoc Viet, and Than Manh Thang (FPT University) for the paper “The Impact Of Big Data Analytics And Cloud Computing On Dynamics Capabilities And Product Innovation: The Moderating Role Of Technological Turbulence And Competition”.  

The organizing committee presents Best Paper awards to author groups.

Delegates and speakers at ICECH 2026 participate in a discussion session, August 22, 2026.