Shaping the future of management and technology: Highlights from ICRMAT 2025

Nearly 200 papers authored by 647 researchers from 13 countries marked the 6th International Conference on Research in Management and Technological Innovation (ICRMAT 2025), held on November 7. The conference was jointly organized by Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI), Electric Power University (EPU), and Stanley College of Engineering and Technology (India), bringing together leading scholars in management and technology from around the world. The event aimed to promote academic collaboration, foster knowledge exchange, and establish a prestigious international platform for research and innovation.

Following the achievements of earlier conferences, ICRMAT 2025 provided a dynamic platform for scientists, researchers, and practitioners to explore pressing global challenges. The discussions particularly focused on the transformative roles of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the global pursuit of Net-Zero commitments, both of which are reshaping industries and defining new pathways toward sustainable development.

Overview of the Plenary Session at ICRMAT 2025

In the opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dong, Vice Rector of Hanoi University of Industry and Chair of the ICRMAT 2025 Organizing Committee, emphasized that the emergence of large-scale AI models has ushered humanity into a new era of dynamic knowledge creation and innovation. He noted that in this rapidly evolving landscape, strengthening academic cooperation and fostering interdisciplinary research are not only essential but also inevitable for the global scientific community in the 21st century. From nearly 200 submissions, a total of 57 scientific papers (28.7%) were accepted for presentation and publication after a rigorous double-blind peer-review process, reflecting the conference’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dong, Vice Rector of Hanoi University of Industry and Chairman of the ICRMAT 2025 Organizing Committee

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dong, Vice Rector of Hanoi University of Industry and Chairman of the ICRMAT 2025 Organizing Committee, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Le Cuong, Vice Rector of Electric Power University, take a commemorative photo with the keynote speakers

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dong, Vice Rector of Hanoi University of Industry and Chairman of the ICRMAT 2025 Organizing Committee, officially handed over the hosting flag to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Le Cuong, Vice Rector of Electric Power University.

The plenary session, chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Anh Tuan (Electric Power University) and Dr. Cao Thi Huyen Trang (Hanoi University of Industry), delved deeply into the conference’s core themes.

In his presentation titled “Net-Zero Commitments, ESG, and Corporate Green Innovation,” Prof. Dr. Duc Khuong Nguyen (De Vinci Higher Education, France) discussed the escalating climate crisis, noting that the world remains far from the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5–2°C. Using micro-level data from listed companies in Europe and China, his study revealed a significant and positive effect: “A 1% increase in Net-Zero commitment generates a 59.7% increase in green innovation efforts.”

Prof. Dr. Duc Khuong Nguyen, De Vinci Higher Education, France

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazim Hussain (University of Groningen, Netherlands) provided a critical perspective in his presentation titled “Does Greenwashing Pay Off? Evidence from the Corporate Bond Market.” He highlighted notable examples of greenwashing, such as HSBC, a major bank that publicly commits to sustainable finance but has been found financing highly polluting industries, and IKEA, widely recognized for its sustainable practices yet implicated in deforestation activities. Dr. Hussain posed an important research question: “If a company engages in greenwashing, does its borrowing cost increase?” Through analysis of the corporate bond market, he and his colleagues discovered that a one-standard-deviation increase in greenwashing leads to an additional borrowing cost of USD 0.36 million. Despite these additional costs, Dr. Hussain explained why some companies continue to greenwash. He noted that managers often make calculated risk decisions, assessing that bearing the cost of greenwashing is often easier than implementing fundamental changes to their business models.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazim Hussain, University of Groningen, the Netherlands

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Manh Chien (Université du Québec en Outaouais, Canada) delivered a compelling presentation titled “The Integration and Impact of Big Data Analytics in the Accounting Profession.”He noted that the accounting field is undergoing one of the most profound transformations in its history, as the emergence of technologies such as Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) continues to reshape how accountants work and think. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Manh Chien explained that many routine tasks traditionally carried out manually are now being automated. This evolution is redefining the accountant’s role, shifting from a data entry specialist to a strategic partner who contributes to business insights and decision-making. He also emphasized the challenge this poses for educators: universities must integrate data analytics effectively into their curricula to prepare students for the changing demands of the profession and for professional certification exams (such as the CPA), which are being restructured to reflect this technological shift.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Manh Chien from Université du Québec en Outaouais, Canada, delivered his presentation virtually at the conference

The plenary session in the afternoon continued with insightful presentations by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanitsorn Terdpaopong from Rangsit University, Thailand, who discussed “The Sustainability Paradox,” and Prof. Dr. Santosh Mehrotra from the University of Bath, United Kingdom, who explored the pathways of innovation in China, Vietnam, and India.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanitsorn Terdpaopong, Rangsit University, Thailand

Prof. Dr. Santosh Mehrotra, University of Bath, United Kingdom

In addition to the plenary sessions, ICRMAT 2025 further delved into specialized topics through ten parallel sessions, creating a vibrant academic atmosphere. A total of 57 accepted research papers were presented, covering a wide range of key areas in modern management and technology including Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Operations Management, Financial Management, Entrepreneurship, Corporate Social Responsibility, Communication Management, Information Technology, and Technological Innovation.

With its diverse range of topics, rigorous academic discussions, and meaningful international collaboration, ICRMAT 2025 once again affirmed its role as a prestigious forum for scholars, researchers, and practitioners in the fields of management and technology. The conference not only provided a platform for sharing innovative ideas and research findings but also fostered new partnerships and interdisciplinary approaches aimed at addressing the challenges of a rapidly changing world driven by technology and sustainability.