Conference scope: All topics related to the sustainable development of multinational enterprises are welcome.
2026 thematic focus: Multinational Enterprises, Sustainability and Responsibility in Times of Crisis.
Submissions do not need to address crisis contexts, provided they make a clear contribution to the broader MESD field.
One submission document only: MESD'26 requires one English-language extended abstract of up to 1,500 words. The extended abstract is the complete submission for review. Authors should not submit a separate short abstract or a full paper.
Essential requirements
MESD'26 extended abstract format at a glance
| Submission type | Extended abstract only |
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| Language | English |
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| Length | Maximum 1,500 words |
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| Review model | Single-anonymous review; author names and affiliations must remain in the file |
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| Page size and margins | A4; 2.5 cm margins on all sides |
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| Main text | Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.15 line spacing, left aligned |
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| References | APA 7th edition, author-date system |
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| File preparation | Prepare an editable DOCX file and a matching PDF; both files must be uploaded through the MESD'26 submission portal |
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How the word limit is calculated: the 1,500-word maximum includes section headings, the main text, in-text citations, footnotes or endnotes, acknowledgements, table text, and table or figure captions. It excludes the title, author and affiliation details, keywords, and the reference list. Submissions materially above the limit may be returned for shortening before review.
Front matter
Begin the document with the following information, in this order:
- Conference track: identify the most appropriate MESD'26 track.
- Title: use a concise, informative title in sentence case.
- Authors: give each author's full name in the agreed publication order.
- Affiliations: include department or unit where relevant, institution, city and country.
- Corresponding author: identify one corresponding author and provide a professional email address.
- ORCID iDs: optional but encouraged.
- Keywords: provide three to five specific keywords or short phrases.
Do not anonymize the document. MESD'26 uses single-anonymous review, so reviewers will see the authors' identities. Do not add a separate 150- or 200-word abstract: the 1,500-word extended abstract itself is the submission.
Recommended structure
The headings may be adapted to the type and stage of the work, but the extended abstract should give reviewers enough information to understand the question, approach, evidence and contribution.
1
Context and purpose
State the practical or scholarly context, the problem addressed, the research objective or question, and why the topic matters to the sustainable development of multinational enterprises and, where applicable, to the 2026 thematic focus.
2
Conceptual grounding
Identify the essential literature, concepts or theoretical perspective. Focus on the gap or tension that motivates the contribution rather than providing a broad review.
3
Method or approach
Explain the research design, data, sample, analytical method, case selection or conceptual approach with enough precision for reviewers to assess credibility.
4
Findings or expected insights
Present the principal findings when available. For research in progress, distinguish preliminary observations from expected results and explain the current stage of the work.
5
Contribution and implications
Explain the theoretical, methodological, managerial or policy contribution and its relevance to the sustainable development of multinational enterprises and, where applicable, to sustainability and responsibility in times of crisis.
6
Conclusion and limitations
End with the central takeaway, the main limitations and, where relevant, the next step needed to complete the research.
Different forms of contribution are welcome. Completed empirical studies should report their main results. Research-in-progress submissions should present a clear design and the evidence or insights available at the time of submission. Conceptual papers, case studies and practitioner contributions should make their analytical approach and intended contribution explicit.
Document layout
- Use A4 portrait pages with 2.5 cm margins on every side.
- Use Times New Roman throughout: 16 pt bold for the title, 12 pt bold for section headings, 12 pt for the body and 11 pt for affiliations, captions and references.
- Use 1.15 line spacing and 6 pt spacing after paragraphs. Do not compress character spacing or line spacing to meet the word limit.
- Use a single-column layout and left-aligned text. Do not use full justification, first-line indentation or decorative page backgrounds.
- Number pages in the footer. Do not add running headers, institutional logos or promotional material.
- Use built-in heading, list and table styles rather than manually simulating structure with bold text, tabs or repeated spaces.
- Define abbreviations at first use and use them consistently thereafter.
Tables, figures and equations
- Use tables and figures only when they communicate information more efficiently than prose; normally, no more than two visual items in total should be necessary.
- Number every table and figure, give it a concise caption and refer to it explicitly in the text.
- Provide the source below reproduced or adapted material and obtain any required permission before submission of the final version.
- Ensure that all labels remain readable at 100% view; use at least 9 pt text within tables and figures.
- Do not rely on colour alone to distinguish data. Use labels, patterns or symbols and check that the item remains understandable in greyscale.
- Do not submit screenshots of tables or paragraphs. Create tables with the word processor's table function and keep text as editable text.
- Add useful alternative text to informative figures in the DOCX file. For complex charts, also summarize the principal message in the surrounding text.
- Define all symbols in equations and number equations only when they are cited elsewhere in the extended abstract.
Citations and references
- Use the APA 7th edition author-date system consistently.
- Every source cited in the text must appear in the reference list, and every reference-list entry must be cited in the text.
- Include a DOI as a resolvable URL when one is available.
- Prefer original and directly relevant sources. Keep the reference list selective so that the submission remains focused.
- Do not use footnotes for routine bibliographic citations.
File preparation and naming
- Prepare the abstract as an editable .docx document and export a visually identical, searchable .pdf.
- Do not password-protect the file. Remove tracked changes, comments, hidden text and document properties that are not intended for reviewers.
- Use the file name MESD26_TrackNumber_CorrespondingAuthorSurname_ShortTitle, followed by the appropriate extension. Example: MESD26_Track3_Dupont_SupplyChainResilience.pdf.
- Check that fonts, symbols, tables, hyperlinks and page breaks display correctly in the exported PDF.
- Keep the editable DOCX after submission because it may be requested for the final Book of Extended Abstracts.
Writing and accessibility
- Write in clear academic English and use short, informative headings.
- Use inclusive and respectful terminology and explain specialized terms that readers outside the immediate field may not know.
- Use meaningful text for hyperlinks rather than long raw web addresses in the body.
- Ensure that the title, headings, tables and lists use real document structure so the file remains navigable with assistive technologies.
- Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy of the text, data, citations, translations and references submitted under their names.
Pre-submission checklist
- The file contains one extended abstract only; no separate short abstract or full paper is included.
- The counted content does not exceed 1,500 words.
- The conference track, title, all authors, affiliations, corresponding author and keywords are present.
- The purpose, conceptual basis, method or approach, findings or expected insights, contribution and limitations are clear.
- APA 7 citations and references correspond exactly.
- All tables and figures are numbered, readable, cited in the text and accompanied by necessary sources or permissions.
- The document contains no tracked changes, comments or password protection.
- The DOCX and PDF versions match and the file name follows the required pattern.
Formatting and scientific assessment: submissions should follow these instructions so that reviewers receive consistent and readable files. Minor correctable formatting issues will not replace scholarly assessment, but incomplete, unreadable or materially non-compliant submissions may be returned for correction before review.