General Information

Conference scope

MESD'26 welcomes contributions on all topics related to the sustainable development of multinational enterprises.

20th Anniversary Edition

MESD'26 marks twenty years since the first MESD International Conference in 2006. The Berlin edition will celebrate two decades of international and interdisciplinary dialogue on multinational enterprises and sustainable development while looking ahead to the research, policy and managerial challenges of the coming years.

The anniversary refers to the MESD International Conference series, 2006–2026.

2026 thematic focus

Multinational Enterprises, Sustainability and Responsibility in Times of Crisis

Conference purpose

Within the broad MESD scope, the 2026 edition will examine how multinational enterprises respond to crisis conditions, how sustainability and responsibility commitments change under pressure, and whether crises hinder or accelerate genuine organizational and systemic transformation. Submissions do not need to address crisis contexts, provided they make a clear contribution to the broader MESD field.

Context

Periods of crisis may intensify tensions between short-term economic survival and long-term sustainability objectives. Multinational enterprises consequently face difficult strategic choices, ethical dilemmas and heightened institutional pressures.

Who should participate?

The conference is intended for academic researchers, doctoral students, policy makers, business leaders, sustainability professionals, representatives of NGOs and other stakeholders interested in any topic related to the sustainable development of multinational enterprises.

Organizing institutions

MESD'26 will be hosted by ICN Business School at its Berlin Campus and jointly organized by partner academic institutions including ICN Business School, Université de Lorraine – CEREFIGE, and international academic partners.