Two-Day National Conference on Future of Work: Adapting to a Changing Landscape (29th – 30th November 2023) organised by the P.G. Department of Commerce, University of Jammu.

The Two-Day National Conference on “Future of Work: Adapting to a Changing Landscape” (29th – 30th November 2023) was organised by the P.G. Department of Commerce, University of Jammu. The conference aimed at reconciling the economic and environmental goals of the global community and acknowledged the crucial issues of human, environmental and economic sustainability affecting both the present and future generations in a global setting. This interdisciplinary conference provided a platform to researchers, educators, administrators and professionals from all fields to present their ideas, papers and cases from a global viewpoint where environmental, cultural, economic and social issues coexisted.

On 29th November 2023, the conference was inaugurated at Brig. Rajendra Singh Auditorium. The inaugural session commenced with lighting of the lamp and a Saraswati Vandana. This conference brought together eminent personalities from industry and academia to address the core and related issues on sustainable development. Sh. Rahul Sahai, Chairman, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Prof. Hardeep Chahal, Director, ICccR-HRM, University of Jammu, presented the formal welcome address, setting the tone for the conference. She extended her gratitude to the department for organising the conference.

The Conference Chair and Head of the Department, Dr. Jeevan Jyoti delved on the theme of the conference and plenary sessions. In her address, she emphasised that this conference will provide opportunity to students and scholars to pass on the legacy of the Commerce department to achieve academic as well as professional or industrial excellence. She urged to take the pledge to be always future ready and to take care of 3 P’s “People, Planet and Profit”.

Sh. Rahul Sahai, Chairman PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry graced the inaugural session by stressing upon changing business environment due to Artificial Intelligence. Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh was the keynote speaker. In his address, he highlighted the digital transformation of human resources from the transition of Industry 4.0 to 5.0, Education 5.0 and also emphasised the importance of Artificial Intelligence in education sector. The event was presided over by the Registrar, University of Jammu, Prof. Rahul Gupta, who extended his best wishes for the success of the conference.  On this occasion the former HOD’s of the Department of Commerce namely Prof. R.D Sharma, Prof. Santosh Gupta and Prof. Neetu Andotra were honoured.

Two Plenary sessions were held on the first day of the conference. The first Plenary session was on the theme “Navigating the Changing Landscape of Remote and Hybrid Work Environment”. The notable speakers were Prof. V.K Shrotryia, (Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi) and Mr. Gagan Jain, (Director, VKC Nuts Pvt. Ltd. J&K). The second plenary session was titled “Educate, Engage, Encourage: Triggering Awareness for Greener and Sustainable Practice”. The notable speakers for Plenary Session 2 were Prof. R. D Sharma (Former Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu and Noida International University) and Mr. Sandeep Ghunawat (Manager, Financial Inclusion and Development Department, RBI, Jammu).  

Conference Deputy Coordinator, Dr. Harleen Kaur, coordinated the whole event. Conference Coordinator, Dr. Tarsem Lal presented the formal vote of thanks. Other eminent dignitaries presented on the event were Prof. Alka Sharma, Prof. Vinay Chouhan, Prof. Anil Gupta, Prof.  B.C. Sharma, Prof. Sandeep Tandon, Dr. Vijay Sehgal, Dr. Komal Nagar, Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Dr. Sunil Kumar (Conference Deputy Coordinator), Dr. Rupa Mahajan, Dr. Sumeet Kour and Dr. Deepti Abrol.

On 30th November 2023, three technical sessions on ‘Sustainability & Finance’, ‘Sustainability & Marketing’ and ‘Sustainability & HR’ were held.

First technical session on Sustainability and Finance was chaired by Prof. Gurcharan Singh, School of Management Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab. It was co-chaired by Dr. Manoj Bhatt, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Jammu. Twelve research papers were presented in this session that focussed on green finance; digital financial literacy and inclusion; diversity and financial inclusion; E-Waste management and financial inclusion etc.

Prof. Ran Singh Dhaliwal, School of Management Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, chaired the second technical session on Sustainability and HR Management. Dr. Tirtharaj Bhoi, Senior Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of Jammu, co-chaired it. Twelve research papers were presented in the session. The session delved upon Professional Identity Development, Artificial Intelligence in HRM, Green HRM, Ambidextrous HRM, Diversity, Wellbeing & Happiness, Startups in Jammu and Kashmir, etc.

Third technical session on Sustainability and Marketing was chaired by Dr. Komal Nagar, Associate Professor, The Business School, University of Jammu. It was co-chaired by Prof. Neetu Andotra, Professor, Department of Commerce, University of Jammu. Their vast academic research experience truly inspired all researchers and industrialists present there. The session created an environment where ideas flourish and the spirit of inquiry thrived. Fourteen research papers were presented in the session, which centred around digital technologies on hospitality marketing to tourism practices, service ecosystem, innovation consumer usage intention, integration of block chain and intangible capability that has an immense scope in marketing.

The third Plenary Session was held with the theme “Uncovering the Value and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.” The keynote speaker was Mohd. Yaseen Kitchloo, IPS, (Senior Superintendent of Police, J&K Police Civil Secretariat). Conference Chair and Head of the Department, Dr. Jeevan Jyoti welcomed the dignitaries and extended her gratitude to all the participants who became part of the conference. They shared their views on the significance of values and ethics of Artificial Intelligence. He enlightened the participants about the various cyber laws and awareness about sources of leakage of personal information used by hackers. Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh extended his greetings to the department. Prof. Hardeep Chahal, Director, ICccR-HRM, University of Jammu, honoured the keynote speakers and applauded the efforts of the organising committee. Conference Coordinator, Dr. Tarsem Lal along with other dignitaries congratulated and distributed the certificates to all the participants. Dr. Harleen Kaur (Conference Deputy Coordinator) coordinated the session.

The event was sponsored by Mrs. Pooja Gupta (Nimbark Organic), Mr. Ashish Maharaj and Mrs. Bhawana (C3 institute), Ankush Sethi (Sethi Brothers Fashion Creator in Kashmir Art), Mr. Narinder Lamba (Medi Tech Pharma Distributor) and Ms. Taruni Bakshi (Exclusive Glamour & Tarot Card Reader). Conference Deputy Coordinator, Dr. Sunil Kumar presented the formal vote of thanks. Other members attended the plenary session were Prof. Neetu Andotra, Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Dr. Harleen Kaur (Conference Deputy Coordinator), Dr. Rupa Mahajan, Dr. Sumeet Kour and Dr. Deepti Abrol.