Symposium details

Symposium details

Menu

Symposium details for International Symposium on Sustainable Development (ISSD) 2026​.

The International Symposium on Sustainable Development 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, a dynamic centre of economic growth, innovation, and social transformation, will provide a platform to explore how organisations, communities, and institutions can navigate sustainability challenges and advance meaningful transitions through innovation, responsible practices, and effective policies.

Under the theme “Transitions, Innovations, and Policies for Sustainable Development,” the symposium will bring together researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers to exchange insights on emerging approaches to sustainable development, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and explore pathways towards more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable futures.

Symposium programme

Time
Session
Room
08:00 - 08:30am
Registration and Welcome Coffee

Participant check-in and networking

 AB2 – Level 3
08:30 – 08:45am
Welcome and Opening Remarks

Professor Robert McClelland – Dean, The Business School, RMIT University, Vietnam

 Room 2.3.005 and 2.3.006
08:45 – 09:30am
Keynote Speech – Strategising for sustainable development? Towards a strategic approach to sustainability

Keynote Speaker: Professor Bert George – City University of Hong Kong

 Room 2.3.005 and 2.3.006
09:30 – 09:45am
Special Address – Industry Perspective on Sustainable Development and VIFC

Speaker: Mr Rich McClellan – CEO, Vietnam International Financial Centre (VIFC – HCMC)

 Room 2.3.005 and 2.3.006
09:45 – 10:45am
Roundtable – Strategy for Sustainable Development in the Age of AI

Moderator(s): Dr Tuan Chu

Panel: Ambassador Marc Knapper; Mrs Kashish Bhambi; Dr Hoa Thanh Nguyen; Mr Rich McClellan

 Room 2.3.005 and 2.3.006
10:45 – 11:00am
Tea break and group photo
  
11:00am - 12:15pm
Parallel sessions (A)
 Room 2.2.009, 2.3.004 and 2.3.005

Parallel sessions (A)

CFP alignment: Policy, institutions, and governance of sustainability transitions

Chair(s): Dr Le Ngoc Thao Nguyen, Western Sydney University, Vietnam

11:00 – 11:15am: ISSD2026_001
Multi-Level Governance Mismatches in Implementing SDG Localisation: A Comparative Policy Analysis in Transition Economies

Mohsin Fareed Shah – National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan

11:15 – 11:30am: ISSD2026_023
Digital Transformation as Dependency Reconfiguration: Explaining Implementation Friction and the Conditions for Sustainable Governance

Dien Thi Tran – Nghe An University, Vietnam

11:30 – 11:45am: ISSD2026_036
The Lasting “Tragedy of the Commons” in the Mekong Governance: Towards an Anthropocene Shift

Le Ngoc Thao Nguyen - Western Sydney University, Vietnam

Le Phuong Cat Nhi - Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, Vietnam

11:45am – 12:00pm: ISSD2026_052
Disaggregating Sustainable Competitiveness: Pillar-Level Evidence on Digital Technology Diffusion and Regional Heterogeneity

Phung Trung Kien - University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Vietnam

Pham Vo Nhat Bao - University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Vietnam

CFP alignment: Circular economy and production–consumption systems; sustainable consumption systems and structural change

Chair(s): Dr Anh Nguyen – RMIT University, Vietnam

11:00 – 11:15am: ISSD2026_021
When Context Travels with Measurement: A Meta-Analysis of Circular Economy Practices and Firm Performance

Uyen Tran Khanh - RMIT University, Vietnam

Anh Nguyen Van - Ton Duc Thang University, Vietnam

My Nguyen Hoang Ha - Western Sydney University, Australia

11:15 – 11:30am: ISSD2026_015
Circular Economy in Hospitality from Leaders and Organizational Stakeholders’ Perspectives: A Systematic Literature Review

Anh Thi Ngan Nguyen – RMIT University, Vietnam

11:30 – 11:45am: ISSD2026_014
Unpacking the Behavioral Determinants of SME Circular Transition: A Systematic Review using the ADO Framework

Trinh Thi Lan Pham – RMIT University, Vietnam

11:45am – 12:00pm: ISSD2026_032
Human-AI Collaboration as a Strategic Capability for Sustainable Development in the Digital Economy

Quan Dinh Hoang - RMIT University, Vietnam

CFP alignment: Digitalisation and innovation for sustainable systems; responsible technology, inclusion, and sustainability impact

Chair(s): Dr Chung Phan – RMIT University, Vietnam

11:00 – 11:15am: ISSD2026_004
An Industry 5.0 Perspective on Conversational GenAI for Sustainable Digital Banking: Trust-Based Adoption Mechanisms Across AI Familiarity Levels

Nguyen Le Uyen - Chang Gung University, Taiwan

Nguyen Le Vy - Chang Gung University, Taiwan

11:15 – 11:30am: ISSD2026_016
Towards Responsible Digitalization: Investigating How Digital Washing Undermines Sustainable Growth in the Banking Sector

Han Vu Ngoc Le – University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Nguyen Thi Thu - University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Vietnam

11:30 – 11:45 AM: ISSD2026_019
Balancing Innovation and Ethics? Generative AI in Personalised Learning from Students' Perceptions

Han Nguyen Ngoc Bui – Western Sydney University, Vietnam

Yong Huynh Kia - Ton Duc Thang University, Vietnam

11:45am – 12:00pm: ISSD2026_003
The Digital Divide and Harmonized Learning Outcomes: A Country-Level Bayesian Regression on World Bank Open Data

Lam Thanh Phong – Ho Chi Minh University of Banking, Vietnam

Time
Session
Room
12:15 - 1:00pm
Lunch break
 Room 2.5.005 and 2.5.006
1:00 – 2:15pm
Parallel Sessions (B)
 Room 2.2.009, 2.3.004 and 2.3.005
2:30 – 3:45pm
Parallel Sessions (C)
 Room 2.2.009, 2.3.004 and 2.3.005/ Hybrid
3:45 – 4:00pm
Coffee / AV Transition

Hybrid room reset before Editors’ Sharing Session

 Room 2.3.005 and 2.3.006
4:00 – 4:45pm
Editors’ Sharing Session – From Conference Paper to Journal Article

Moderator: Associate Professor Huy Pham

Panel: Professor Bert George; Associate Professor Toan Huynh; Professor Pervaiz K Ahmed

 Room 2.3.005 and 2.3.006
4:45 – 5:00pm
Best Paper Awards and Closing speech

Associate Professor Hiep Pham – Deputy Dean, Research & Innovation, RMIT University, Vietnam 

 Room 2.3.005 and 2.3.006

Parallel sessions (B)

CFP alignment: Financing sustainable and circular transitions; climate action and net-zero transitions across systems

Chair(s): Professor Pervaiz K Ahmed – Sunway University, Malaysia

1:00 – 1:15pm: ISSD2026_013
Greener, Smarter, Safer? The Stability Paradox of Digital Green Banking

Tin Huu Ho – University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

1:15 – 1:30pm: ISSD2026_027
Beyond Composite ESG: Pillar Heterogeneity, Corporate Tax Burdens, and Sustainable Finance Implications in European Markets

Ha Doan Ngan - Ton Duc Thang University, Vietnam

Ha Ha Pham – Ho Chi Minh City Open University, Vietnam

1:30 – 1:45 PM: ISSD2026_033
Balanced versus Uneven Green Transitions: Transition Architecture and Financial Integrity

Nhan Nguyen Thanh Pham – Ho Chi Minh City Open University, Vietnam

1:45 – 2:00pm: ISSD2026_056
Fostering Sustainable Development Through Disaggregated Renewable Energy Transitions in Vietnam: A Time–Frequency Perspective on the Moderating Role of GDP

Ngo Thai Hung – University of Finance-Marketing, Vietnam

CFP alignment: Digitalisation and innovation for sustainable systems; responsible technology and sustainability impact

Chair(s): Dr Huy Doan – RMIT University, Vietnam

1:00 – 1:15pm: ISSD2026_018
Orchestrating Human-AI Collaboration for Sustainable Organizational Development: An Integrated Multilevel Perspective

Anh Kim Khong – RMIT University, Vietnam

Nguyen Thi My Duyen - Ton Duc Thang University, Vietnam

1:15 – 1:30pm: ISSD2026_040
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Stock Investment Decisions: A Role of Technology Readiness Index (TRI) and Financial Literacy

Trang Minh Thai Phung – Saigon University, Vietnam

1:30 – 1:45pm: ISSD2026_049
Impact of Digital Financial Inclusion on Socio-Economic Stability in Asian Countries: An Integrated fsQCA-NCA Approach

Duong Minh Quan – Van Lang University, Vietnam

1:45 – 2:00pm: ISSD2026_053
The Behavioural Finance Aspects of Gen Z’s Investment Decision Making on Stablecoins: Evidence from Malaysia

Ammar Bin Asbi – INTI International University, Malaysia

CFP alignment: Sustainable consumption systems and structural change; regenerative consumption systems, markets, and behaviours

Chair(s): Professor Santha Vaithilingam – Sunway University, Malaysia

1:00 – 1:15pm: ISSD2026_043
Algorithmic Synchronicity, Engagement Dynamics, and Sustainable Consumption: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study of AI Shopping Assistants in Vietnam

Duy Khanh Phan - Binh Duong University, Vietnam

Bao Quoc Truong-Dinh - The University of Danang - University of Economics, Vietnam

Tram Phuong Le-Ngoc - The University of Danang - University of Economics, Vietnam

1:15 – 1:30pm: ISSD2026_044
Understanding Consumer Responses to Emerging Sustainable Retail Practices

Julian Ming Sung Cheng – National Central University, Taiwan

Bao Quoc Truong-Dinh - The University of Danang - University of Economics, Vietnam

1:30 – 1:45pm: ISSD2026_035
Conceptualising the Influencer–Creator Dichotomy: Theorising Influencer Longevity as a Switching Construct in Credibility- and Relationship-Based Persuasion

Thilina Dhananjaya Karunanayake - RMIT University, Vietnam

Tuan Le - RMIT University, Vietnam

Uyen Do - RMIT University, Vietnam

1:45 – 2:00pm: ISSD2026_005 (Online)
Driving Sustainable Entrepreneurial Success: Ecosystem and Psychological Factors among Indigenous Entrepreneurs

Dewan Mehrab Ashrafi – Curtin University Malaysia

Parallel sessions (C)

CFP alignment: Climate action and net-zero transitions across systems; policy, institutions, and governance of sustainability transitions

Chair(s): Dr Zin Yau Heng – RMIT University, Vietnam

2:30 – 2:45pm: ISSD2026_024
Carbon Pricing Policies and Corporate Renewable Energy Transition: The Role of Regulatory Quality

Rizwanur Rahman – Curtin University, Malaysia

2:45 – 3:00pm: ISSD2026_041
Who Should Bear the Risk of the Energy Transition? An Economic Theory of Optimal and Asymmetric Risk Allocation

Gaurav Gupta – Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India

3:00 – 3:15pm: ISSD2026_009
Beyond LPG Adoption: Measuring Capability-Adjusted Clean Cooking Use Gaps in India

Krishan Sharma - Bennett University, India

Nida Rahman - Bennett University, India

3:15 – 3:30pm: ISSD2026_022
Textile Waste Recycling Strategies in ASEAN Region: A Comparative Study

Thu Hien Phan - University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia

Le Quynh Anh Tran - Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam

CFP alignment: Digitalisation and innovation for sustainable systems; policy, institutions, and governance; sustainable production systems

Chair(s): Dr Binh Nguyen – RMIT University, Vietnam

2:30 – 2:45pm: ISSD2026_046
Digital Government, E-Participation, and Institutional Quality: Evidence from a Global Dynamic Panel

Kien Trung Phung – University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Vietnam

Nguyen Le Hung - University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Vietnam

2:45 – 3:00pm: ISSD2026_031
Bridging the Silos of Smart Food Safety Management Systems: A Text-Mining Review and a Multiple-Case Field Validation of an Interoperability Framework for Sustainable, Net-Zero Food Chains

Anh Lan Pham - RMIT University, Vietnam

Khanh Ngoc Phuong Nguyen – RMIT University, Vietnam

3:00 – 3:15pm: ISSD2026_030
From Communication Skills to the Digital Key Medical Opinion Leader: A Systematic Review and an Integrated Conceptual Framework of the Health Professional as Communicator

Long Nguyen Phi Duong – RMIT University, Vietnam

3:15 – 3:30pm: ISSD2026_017
Collaboration, Governance, and Digital Enablers as Pathways to Supply Chain Resilience: A Bibliometric Framework and Meta-Analytic Validation with a Construction Subgroup

Hieu Trung Tran – Van Lang University, Vietnam

Nguyen Thanh Ha - RMIT University, Vietnam

CFP alignment: Sustainable transitions across institutions, finance, consumption, and circular economy; hybrid delivery cluster

Chair(s): Dr Hanh Le and Dr Anh Dao – RMIT University, Vietnam; dedicated AV / online host required

2:30 – 2:45pm: ISSD2026_002
Which Institutional Dimension Is Most Associated With Green Finance? A Bayesian Model Averaging Analysis of a Twelve-Country Developing and ASEAN Panel

Lam Thanh Phong – Ho Chi Minh University of Banking, Vietnam

2:45 – 3:00pm: ISSD2026_010
Navigating Institutional Pressures through Open Innovation: Circular Entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka's Plastic Recycling Industry

Vijayapala Sinnathamby – University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

3:00 – 3:15pm: ISSD2026_054
Do Confucianism and Cultural Integration Facilitate or Inhibit Corporate Green Transformation? Evidence from China

Vikash Ramiah – University of Wollongong, Dubai

3:15 – 3:30:  ISSD2026_025 (Online)
The Ideological Subsidy in Sustainability Transitions: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Fatimah - Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia

Miftahul Hadila Fauzana - Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia

3:30 – 3:45pm: ISSD2026_037  (Online)
Green-Transition Performance and Public-Debt Dynamics Across Levels of Economic Development: Global Panel Evidence, 1991–2021

Phan Hải Anh – International School of Banking Academy, Vietnam

Timing note

Four 15-minute paper slots. For smoother delivery, each slot is recommended as 12 minutes presentation and 3 minutes immediate Q&A/transition.

Explore presentation guidelines
Transport to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Participants can fly to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, located in Ho Chi Minh City, and travel to the symposium venue by ground transportation.

Keynote speech

Strategising for sustainable development? Towards a strategic approach to sustainability.

Professor Bert George

The City University of Hong Kong

Professor Bert George is Full Professor at the Department of Public and International Affairs, Director of the research cluster for Brain, Behavior and Society, and Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong. He is Co-Editor in Chief of Public Management Review and is a Stanford top 2% cited scientist. His research focuses on strategic planning and management, red tape and Neuro Public Administration. He has published over 60 articles in leading academic journals and co-authored the sixth edition of the bestseller Strategic Planning for Public and Non-Profit Organisations. His work has been cited by the US White House, European Commission, World Bank, UNESCO, Deloitte Government Trends and many other governments and nonprofits across the globe.

Roundtable on Strategy for Sustainable Development in the Age of AI

Ambassador Marc Knapper

Former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam​; CEO of Knapper Global Advisors

Mrs Kashish Bhambi

Chief Technology Officer of DIGI-TEXX VIETNAM

Mr Rich McClellan

CEO of the Viet Nam International Financial Center (VIFC) in HCMC

Dr Hoa Thanh Nguyen

Vice Director of Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center

Dr Tuan Chu

Senior Lecturer & Associate Program Manager, Bachelor of Business, RMIT Vietnam

Editors' Sharing Session: From Conference Paper to Journal Article

Professor Bert George

Associate Dean of the College of Liberal, Arts and Social Sciences​, The City University of Hong Kong

Associate Professor Toan Huynh

Associate Professor in Applied Macroeconomic Analysis, School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London

Professor Pervaiz K Ahmed

Distinguished Research Professor, Director - Sunway Institute for Global Strategy and Competitiveness (IGSC)

Associate Professor Huy Pham

Cluster Co-lead, Sustainable Development and Consumption​, The Business School, RMIT Vietnam

Register to join
sustainability-week-2025-header-1440x450.jpg

Contact us

For enquiries, please contact us at: the.business.school@rmit.edu.vn