Women Empowerment Conclave 2025 | IIM Sambalpur
We invite academicians, practitioners, policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and institutions working in the space of women’s empowerment to contribute evidence-based, action-oriented case studies. Submissions should reflect interventions, initiatives, or research that have created measurable outcomes within India in recent years.
Key Themes:
The proposed call for cases aims to capsulate the transcendental moves adopted towards women empowerment in these four areas – entrepreneurship, education, healthcare and corporates. We intend to publish interdisciplinary evidence-based cases and suggested a list of tentative questions under each category that may be addressed, but not limited to.
Theme 1: Women in Entrepreneurship
- How can we create a more supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs in India?
- What strategies can women entrepreneurs use to overcome challenges and achieve success?
- How can policymakers and stakeholders promote women’s entrepreneurship in India?
Theme 2: Women in Healthcare and Hygiene
- How can we improve women’s access to quality healthcare in India?
- What steps can be taken to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in rural and underserved areas?
- How can we involve different stakeholders (government, corporate, NGOs & others) in promoting a more supportive environment for women’s health?
Theme 3: Theme 3: Women in Education
- How can educational institutions in India move beyond symbolic efforts and truly support women empowerment in day-to-day practice?
- What specific steps should be taken to create a gender-sensitive and supportive culture in schools, colleges, and universities?
- What kind of leadership is needed to build truly inclusive educational institutions?
Theme 4: Women in Corporates
- Why the gender gap exists across all industries despite of several initiatives taken by organisations?
- How can this gender gap be mitigated in the workplace?
- How can women corporate leaders act as catalysts for women’s empowerment in the workplace?
Accepted Case Formats
The submissions are expected in any of these four formats, given below:
Format 1: Real-time/Field-based Cases
Actual stories highlighting the dilemmas/problems in a real-life situation, either written by the protagonists or third-party observers. In this format, the authors are required to disclose the real identities of the situation (company, location, people, etc.) along with a consent to use document from the company/protagonist, entailing due permission from the concerned authority to publish the case. The submissions include the manuscript mentioning the storyline along with a teaching note for connecting theories with the dilemmas/problems, or possible solutions applied/recommended to the said context.
Format 2: Disguised Cases (Non-fictional)
Actual stories with real interventions may be written with anonymized names to maintain privacy. In this format, authors do not need to submit any publication permission document. The submissions include the manuscript mentioning the storyline along with a teaching note for connecting theories with the dilemmas/problems, or possible solutions applied/recommended to the said context.
Format 3: Action Research Cases
Single or multiple case situations were observed from the field actions in industries, government, society, or academic settings. It may include an on-going project that records the need/problem, set of activities undertaken to solve the issue and its impact on overall performance of organization.
Format 4: Perspective-Based Cases
These cases are in essay format where author highlight the government- led schemes, projects, industry-led initiatives and public private partnerships work that have substantially impacted women community. The case presents empirical data and insights to show the need of the intervention and its outcome.
The key points of difference among these four categories are:
| Dimension | Real-Time Case | Disguised Case | Action Research Case | Perspective Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Based on events as they are happening, written contemporaneously | Based on real events but with altered names/contexts to protect confidentiality | Evolved from iterative interventions in the field; part of an action research project | Case based on author’s viewpoint or theoretical interpretation, not field data |
| Purpose | Capture live decisions and evolving dilemmas | Preserve learning while maintaining confidentiality | Bridge theory and practice through intervention cycles | Illustrate a particular theoretical lens or normative stance |
| Data Source | Real-time interactions, interviews, observations, documents | Original field data, often interviews or documents, anonymized | Fieldwork done by the author in cycles (Plan–Act–Observe–Reflect) | Secondary data, author’s interpretation, or simulated narratives |
| Time of Writing | During or shortly after the event | After the event, with privacy adjustments | After multiple intervention cycles, often longitudinal | Flexible, based on conceptual or reflective approach |
| Real/Anonymity | Real, consent form needed | Always anonymous to protect identities | Typically semi-anonymous, consent form needed | Anonymous |
| Style | Narrative-driven, open-ended | Narrative with realistic detail and dilemma | Mix of narrative and process documentation | Conceptual, reflective, and argumentative |
| Word Limit | Max 6000 | 2000–4000 | Max 6000 | 4000–6000 |
| Disclosure | Consent to use form Ethical Declaration (Self) |
Ethical Declaration (Self) | Consent to use form Ethical Declaration (Self) |
Ethical Declaration (Self) |
Submission Guidelines :
Manuscript :
The manuscript must include a synopsis of the case dilemma/problem, followed by the case story and teaching note/possible solutions.
The case introduction must clearly outline the decision that needs to be made in relation to the case dilemma. The decision point must be forward looking and allow readers to step into the shoes of the decision-maker to understand the situation.
The case introduction must clearly outline the decision that needs to be made in relation to the case dilemma. The decision point must be forward looking and allow readers to step into the shoes of the decision-maker to understand the situation.
Word Count :
Mentioned in table above. Word limit includes manuscript with synopsis, tables, figures, references, and appendices. A brief synopsis as opening para is must, not more than 200 words.
Title :
The case title should be no more than ten words and should include the company name/keywords. It must be catchy and relevant.
Title Page :
The title page must include all authors’ names, affiliations, their short bios, their contact details (email), and an ethical declaration (format attached).
Formatting :
Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced, page number at the bottom right. No water marks or header/footers
Referencing Style :
American Psychological Association (APA)
Word format :
The document must be submitted in word. No PDF, JPG or any other forms are acceptable. All figure and tables must be in editable format.
Review Process
The case submission will undergo two-step peer review process, after submission:
- Preliminary Review will assess the suitability and fitment of case to over all theme of the conclave and initial feedback will be given.
- Academic Review will be undertaken, once the revised manuscript is submitted after addressing the initial feedback along with all disclosure statements.
Submission link/email
Submission link/email
Please submit the case to wec_2025@iimsambalpur.ac.in
Along with Consent to use form or Ethical declaration or both, whichever is applicable.
| Important Dates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Submission Deadline: |
August 15, 2025 |
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First Review Decision: |
September 15, 2025 |
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Final Decision: |
October 15, 2025 |
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Book Launch and Conclave: |
November 2025 |
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| Case Submission Committee | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Prof. Kakoli Sen |
kakolis@iimsambalpur.ac.in |
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Prof. Atri Sengupta |
atrisengupta@iimsambalpur.ac.in |
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Prof Sumita Sindhi |
sumitas@iimsambalpur.ac.in |
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Prof Merlin Nandy |
merlin@iimsambalpur.ac.in |
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Prof Shikha Bhardwaj |
shikhab@iimsambalpur.ac.in |
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Prof Shubhi Gupta
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shubhig@iimsambalpur.ac.in |
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- To help the participants in global networking, industry connections, and intellectual curiosity.
- To help the participants in recognizing and resolving challenging business problems by combining innovative approaches from several functional areas.
- To harness the full professional potential in accelerating participant’s current business / career by assisting the transition to a new sustainable entrepreneur / corporate career.
- To enhance the participant’s capacity to address problems from a broad perspective, emphasizing inclusivity and inventiveness.
- To expose the participants abreast of the international benchmarks for successful entrepreneur.
- To keep the participants up to date on the global standards & benchmarks and enhance the entrepreneurial abilities.
- To improve participants’ consulting abilities.
- Two-year MBA Degree program for Working Professionals/Entrepreneurs with minimum 50% marks in graduation and minimum 3 years work experience. Selection based on profile, SOP and interview.
- The weekend classes in blended mode using Experiential Learning Flipped classroom pedagogy will be held at IIM Sambalpur – Delhi Centre, ISID, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi and One week module at Sambalpur campus, Odisha
- CEO Immersion Programme and Support for Career counselling.
- The session will be taken by faculties from IIM Samabalpur, International Partner Universities and Industry experts
- Specialization in Data Science & Product Management, Entrepreneurial Innovation, Sustainability & functional domains
- The programme gives an option for international Immersion as well as Dual MBA degree from international universities
Contact Details
Indian Institute Of Management Sambalpur
For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to Ms Shivani Agrawal (shivania@iimsambalpur.ac.in/ 8249636697) or any case submission committee members.