STIM24 – Sustainable Technologies and Innovations for Managing SMEs Conference: A Resounding Success
Recently, Gisma University of Applied Sciences hosted the first Sustainable Technologies and Innovations for Managing SMEs Conference at our state-of-the-art campus in Potsdam, Germany. This hybrid event brought together professionals, academics, researchers, and students to discuss and explore innovative approaches to sustainable business practices, SME management, marketing strategies, entrepreneurship, and the integration of technology for sustainable development.
Diverse Perspectives, Rich Insights
The conference featured 34 insightful presentations from experts spanning Germany, Canada, France, India, Malaysia, Bangladesh, the UAE, the UK, and beyond. This diversity created a vibrant platform for exchanging ideas, fostering collaboration, and addressing global and local challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). We welcomed more than 90 participants from all around the world to this unique event, which offered also hybrid participation options.
Key Themes Explored
The discussions revolved around five critical areas:
- Sustainable Business Practices: Strategies for integrating sustainability into core operations.
- Innovative Management Techniques: Exploring new approaches for driving efficiency and impact.
- Marketing for Sustainable Growth: Leveraging marketing strategies to support long-term growth.
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Promoting creativity and adaptability in SME operations.
- Role of Information Systems: Harnessing technology to enable sustainable development.
Engaging and Collaborative Sessions
The event also featured a dynamic roundtable discussion at the end with the esteemed guests Prof Dr Ljiljana Markovic, Prof. Dr. Maurits van Roojen, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jacek Zawisza, Dr. Hamed Taherdoost and Prof. Valliappan Raju, emphasizing actionable solutions and partnerships, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable innovation. This highlight on day 2 of the conference formed a wonderful conclusion of this year’s conference.
Driving Sustainability in SMEs
The conference highlighted the critical role of sustainability in SMEs’ growth and competitiveness. By adopting practices such as energy efficiency, waste management, resource conservation, and responsible sourcing, SMEs can minimise their environmental footprint while achieving cost savings and enhancing their brand reputation.
Participants gained valuable insights into integrating innovative technologies and sustainable practices to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and contribute to global sustainability goals.
Building a Greener Future
Gisma University of Applied Sciences is committed to empowering SMEs and stakeholders with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive sustainably, anchoring actions and inputs in the United Nations’ SDGs. By facilitating discussions and sharing best practices, this conference served as a steppingstone to equipping SMEs to adapt to a greener, more competitive business landscape.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dear partners and co-organizers at CABMR / Ascensia Business School (France), University Canada West (Canada) and Perdana University (Malaysia) and are looking forward to our next collaborations.. Together, we’re building a future where sustainability and innovation go hand in hand.