About the Conference

The Faculty of Economics and Administration at King Abdulaziz University is pleased to announce the call for papers for its 7th Scientific Conference titled:

"Future Frontiers for Businesses: Catalysts for Growth in a Transformational Economy"

In alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the conference aims to explore emerging economic and organizational perspectives that foster sustainable growth, competitiveness, and innovation at both regional and global levels. The conference also seeks to advance knowledge and provide scholarly contributions regarding the driving forces behind organizations, economies, and institutions in an era of rapid global transformation.

Serving as a premium platform for researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers, this conference reflects King Abdulaziz University's commitment to developing impactful research and enhancing its regional and international academic presence.

The conference welcomes both theoretical and empirical research that bridges academic rigor with practical relevance, contributing to the economic and organizational development of emerging and transformative economies.

Conference Objectives

  • Develop policy-relevant research and insights aligned with national and regional transformation agendas, including Saudi Vision 2030.
  • Advance high-quality research in business, economics, management, and public policy within transformative and sustainable economies.
  • Explore the integration of sustainability, governance, and digital innovation as primary drivers for long-term competitiveness and economic shift.
  • Examine emerging trends shaping the future of institutions, industries, labor markets, and capital systems.
  • Bridge the gap between academic research and practice by fostering collaboration among researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers.

Conference Tracks

Track One: Economic Diversification and Global Competitiveness

This track concerns research addressing macroeconomic and strategic shifts, as well as governance frameworks shaping the future of national industries and economies.

Topics include (but are not limited to):
  • Economic diversification and structural transformation
  • Global competitiveness, productivity, and sustainable value creation
  • Trade, investment, and global value chains
  • Sectoral transformation and emerging industries
  • Governance mechanisms and accountability
  • Institutional transformation
  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)

Track Two: Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence

This track covers research exploring how digital technologies and new service models are reshaping enterprises, industries, and economies.

Topics include (but are not limited to):
  • Digital transformation strategies
  • Artificial Intelligence in business and decision-making
  • Data analytics and intelligent systems
  • Smart organizations and integrated digital ecosystems
  • Cybersecurity and data governance
  • Healthcare systems and hospital management transformation
  • Digital health and tech-enabled healthcare services
  • Smart cities and integrated service systems

Track Three: Sustainable Business, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

This track focuses on innovation-led growth, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business practices shaping future economies.

Topics include (but are not limited to):
  • Entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems
  • SMEs and family businesses
  • Innovation-led growth and knowledge economies
  • Corporate innovation and intrapreneurship
  • Business model innovation and future business models
  • Service innovation and emerging industries
  • Sustainability and ESG integration
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
  • Green innovation and the circular economy

Track Four: Financial Transformation and Capital Market Development

This track addresses financial systems and investment dynamics supporting economic growth and stability.

Topics include (but are not limited to):
  • Capital market development and regulatory reforms
  • Financial Technology (FinTech)
  • Sustainable finance
  • Financial inclusion and financial literacy
  • Islamic finance and banking
  • Investment strategies and risk management
  • Venture capital, private equity, and startup financing
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and cross-border capital flows

Track Five: Organizations, Leadership, and Human Capital

This track concentrates on leadership, human capital, and organizational adaptability within rapidly shifting labor market and technological environments.

Topics include (but are not limited to):
  • Leadership and organizational effectiveness in transformative and uncertain environments
  • Digital leadership, change management, and organizational resilience
  • Human capital development, talent strategies, and workforce upskilling in digital and developing economies
  • The future of work, labor market shifts, and technological disruption
  • Organizational behavior, behavioral insights, culture, and performance in changing workplaces
  • Integrating AI in HR and talent management
  • Diversity, inclusion, and workforce engagement in emerging economies

Submission Guidelines

Submission Types

The conference welcomes submissions of both full research papers (in Arabic and English) and research posters (in Arabic and English) across all five conference tracks.

Guidelines for Full Research Papers

  • Submitted papers must be original and not previously published.
  • Full research papers should be between 6,000 and 8,000 words in length (including an abstract of 150-250 words).
  • All submissions undergo a rigorous peer-review process.
  • The APA referencing style (latest edition) must be strictly followed for all citations and references.
  • Selected papers will be published in the Faculty's journal or in a Web of Science-indexed journal, subject to review and editorial policies.

Guidelines for Research Posters

  • Submissions must align with one of the five conference tracks and their sub-themes.
  • Early-stage research and completed studies are both welcome.
  • Students can submit posters individually or as a team.
  • Abstract length: 150-250 words.
  • The abstract must clearly state: study objectives, methodology, main or preliminary findings, and relevance to the chosen track.
  • Abstracts can be submitted in either Arabic or English.

Poster Specifications & Design

  • Paper Size: Standard A0 (841 mm × 1189 mm), portrait orientation.
  • Word Count: Maximum of 500 words for the entire poster, with a limit of 50 words per text box.
  • Content: Title, author names, affiliations, contact info, introduction, objectives, methodology, results/key insights, conclusions, and references.
  • Design: Visually clear, concise, and appealing, incorporating graphs and tables while avoiding dense text blocks.

Submission & Presentation Process

  • Submit your abstract to the conference portal. Upon acceptance, authors will receive confirmation and preparation instructions.
  • Authors are responsible for printing and bringing their posters to the venue.
  • Posters will be displayed during dedicated interactive sessions (to be announced). Authors must be present to discuss their work with attendees.

Evaluation Criteria

Posters will be evaluated based on:

  • Relevance to conference tracks.
  • Originality and contribution to knowledge.
  • Clarity, visual appeal, and presentation quality.
  • Methodological rigor (where applicable).
  • Capacity for engagement and discussion.

Submission Templates

Research Paper Template

Important Dates

Submission Deadline:
May 31, 2026
Acceptance Notification: End of July
Conference Dates: December 1-2, 2026
Venue: King Faisal Convention Center

Registration Form

Click to open form

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding paper submissions, registration, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact the organizing committee via email at:
fea-scsreas@kau.edu.sa