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Réseau entreprise et développement durable
École des sciences de la gestion
Université du Québec à Montréal
1290, rue Saint-Denis, AB-6270
Montréal, Québec, H2X 3J7, Canada http://www.nbs.net/fr
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CALL FOR PROPOSALS!
Deadline: June 15th, 2015!
Second international Conference !
« Sustainability: Developing Solutions for SMEs »!
October 28-30, 2015 | Montreal, Canada!
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Context!
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SMEs represent 98% of all Canadian companies and play a significant role in Canada’s economic, social and environmental sustainability and their contribution is similar in many parts of the
world. Clearly, discussions aiming at solving the challenges in those areas must include SMEs
along with their characteristics and objectives.!
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The SME Council, an initiative led by Dr. Marie-France Turcotte and the Network for Business
Sustainability since 2012, gathers SMEs, government agencies and nonprofit organizations representatives, recognized as leaders in sustainability. Discussions held annually by the Council
initiate lead to annual reports entitled “SME Challenges”, widely distributed in Canada and
around the world. These reports provide information about the current sustainability challenges
faced by Canadian SMEs and guide researchers on investigation tracks leading to research-based solutions. The compiled results of those reports brought 3 recurring challenges to surface,
which in turn, will be the central questions of the conference.!
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1.
How can we develop in-house expertise in sustainability?!
The lack of knowledge on sustainability makes it complex for SME leaders to adopt concrete initiatives. A recent survey conducted by the Québec Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et
des Exportations reveals that the lack of information, capacity and resources count for nearly
60% of the reasons why businesses fail in achieving sustainable initiatives. SMEs express the
need to develop knowledge in order to inform their decision-making process and succeed in integrating sustainability in their business operations and strategy.!
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2.
How can the benefits of sustainability activities be quantified for businesses? !
Operational efficiency is crucial to businesses and particularly to SMEs. In such a context, tangible economic arguments regarding sustainability measures could allow SMEs to make rational
decisions. Even when they have no direct financial consequence, quantifying the social and environmental impacts of a sustainability trajectory could allow businesses better plan and support
those measures. !
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3.! How can SMEs keep competitive while marketing a responsible product? !
Finally, SMEs are looking for ways to increase the impact of their communications and marketing strategies. Carving out a market share for their sustainable products and services is a way
of making their efforts profitable and, on the other hand, to participate in the responsible
consumerism movement. Competition is tough though and SMEs are often overshadowed by
players with greater means to deploy their promotional campaigns. !
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Réseau entreprise et développement durable
École des sciences de la gestion
Université du Québec à Montréal
1290, rue Saint-Denis, AB-6270
Montréal, Québec, H2X 3J7, Canada http://www.nbs.net/fr
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Call for proposals!
This specific call for proposals aims at gathering academic articles presenting relevant knowledge and research results about the 3 above mentioned challenges. !
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All researchers are encouraged to submit. Proposals can be of a theoretical or empirical nature.
In all cases, they need to specify their particular objective, methodology or theoretical approach
as well as obtained results or theoretical developments. Authors submitting a proposal certify
that it is free of copyright and that it has not been previously published. Submissions can be
submitted in English or French.!
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Evaluation criteria!
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Clearly defined objectives and context;!
Clear demonstration of proposal’s contribution to enhanced knowledge on (one of) the mentioned issues;!
Availability of results (final or preliminary) or of a research conclusion;!
Quality of the written language!
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Members of the Scientific Committee!
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Marie-France Turcotte, École des sciences de la gestion, Université du Québec à Montréal;!
Cécile Bulle, École des sciences de la gestion, Université du Québec à Montréal;!
Sandrine Berger-Douce, École des Mines de St-Étienne;!
Chantal Hervieux, Sobey School of Business, St-Mary’s University;!
François Labelle, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières!
Françoise Quairel-Lanoizelée, Université Paris Dauphine;!
Jean Cadieux, Université de Sherbrooke;!
Luc Brès, Université Laval;!
Martine Spence, École de gestion Telfer, Ottawa University;!
Paul Shrivastava; John Molson School of Business, Concordia University;!
René Audet, École des sciences de la gestion, Université du Québec à Montréal;!
Stéphanie Bertels, Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University.!
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Important dates!
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A summary of the proposal of a maximum of 2 pages, excluding references and annexes, should
be submitted electronically before June 15th, 2015 at [email protected]. The summaries will be
evaluated by the Scientific Committee, in a double-blinded review process. This Committee will
be formed by specialists in business management and sustainability, joining in from different
universities. !
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A decision will be provided at the latest on July 2nd, 2015.!
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Réseau entreprise et développement durable
École des sciences de la gestion
Université du Québec à Montréal
1290, rue Saint-Denis, AB-6270
Montréal, Québec, H2X 3J7, Canada http://www.nbs.net/fr
Authors of accepted proposals for the conference may, if they so wish, submit a full text which
could be published in:!
1.
The Conference proceedings. Deadline for submitting will be September 1st, 2015.!
2.
A special issue of the Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences. Deadline for
submitting will be May 1st, 2016.!
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For more information!
Contact person: Jean-François Parenteau, Montreal office manager, Network for Business Sustainability!
Phone: 514-987-3000 ext. 7898 | Email: [email protected]!