Conference Theme:
Flourishing in the VUCA World:
Building Business and Financial Market Resilience
Conference Dates: 17 – 20 June 2025
Venue: Garden Court Marine Parade Hotel, Durban, South Africa
The 3rd International Conference on Business Resilience, Continuity and Regeneration (BRCR Conference) will be hosted by the Business Rescue Unit, School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, University of KwaZulu-Natal, on 17 – 20 June 2025, in a picturesque, vibrant coastal city of Durban, South Africa.
In recent years, there has been swelling attention on the challenges of operating in the VUCA world – marked by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. This VUCA environment is inescapable. From the waves of COVID-19 and vaccination efforts to ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions, social and economic instability, rapid technological changes have become the norm. These dynamics have impacted markets and, more gravely, businesses. Resilience is vital for businesses and financial markets to thrive amidst the forces of VUCA. Thus, examining the resilience of businesses and financial markets has been a perennial topic for researchers in recent years.
The main aim of this conference is to create an effective platform for connecting, collaborating, and exchanging various research results and problem-solving modi operandi among academicians, postgraduate students, practitioner-researchers, policy-makers, and entrepreneurs from all four corners of the world.
We cordially invite all interested academicians, postgraduate students, entrepreneurs, policy-makers, and practitioner-researchers with multi disciplinary/inter-disciplinary research interests to participate and/or present their original, unpublished and high-quality research papers related to building business and financial market resilience in the VUCA world.
Keynote Speaker
Professor Gabriel Kabanda is the Head of Doctoral Programmes at the Graduate School of Business and Leadership, College of Law and Management Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He is a highly regarded academic and a distinguished Full Professor of Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, and Big Data Science. He has held various positions, including Vice President of the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Zimbabwe Open University, Adjunct Professor of Machine Learning at Woxsen University, Professor of Applied Business Informatics at the University of Zimbabwe Business School, Adjunct Professor of Cybersecurity at California State University, and Professor of Big Data Science at the National University of Science and Technology. He is a Fellow of the African Scientific Institute, Secretary General of the Africa-Asia Dialogue Network, Member of the African Union’s African Scientific Research and Innovation Council, and Board Member of Board of Trustees of Crown University Intl. Chartered Inc.
Conference Tracks
The conference will focus (but not be limited) on the following themes:
- Access to Finance
- Advertising
- Agri-Business and Food Security
- Artificial Intelligence
- Banking/Bank Risk
- Big Data Analysis
- Brand Equity
- Business Analysis
- Business Ethics
- Business Law
- Business Leadership
- Change Management
- Competitiveness and Small Businesses
- Consumer Behaviour
- Corporate and Public Governance
- Corporate Communication
- Corporate Finance
- Customer Behaviour
- Customer Relationship Management
- Development Economics
- Development Finance
- Development Studies
- E-commerce
- Economic Resilience
- Ecotourism
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
Matters - E-tourism
- Financial Distress Prediction
- Financial Economics
- Financial Institutions
- Financial Management in Tourism
- Financial Markets
- Financial Risk Management
- Hospitality Management
- Human Resources Management
- Humane Tourism Information Technology
- Innovation
- Internal Tourism
- Internet Economy
- Issues on Business Rescue
- Market Structure and Pricing
- Marketing
- Mobile Commerce
- Organizational Behaviour
- Organizational Culture
- Organizational Structure
- Poverty Studies
- Procurement
- Production Management
- Project Management
- Responsible Tourism
- Search Engine Optimization
- Small Businesses
- Smart Connected Products
- Smart Logistics
- Social Media and Services
- Strategic Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Business Turnaround and Rehabilitation
Management
Registration and Conference Presentation
Abstracts and full papers must be submitted at BRCR-Conference@ukzn.ac.za cc MatendaF@ukzn.ac.za. The language of conference presentations is English. Once the abstract is accepted, the author must send a full-text paper, including results, tables, figures and references. Please note that your conference registration will only be finalised after your payment of the registration fee is received and verified.
Conference Registration Fees
Note
The conference registration fee includes the following: registration, conference material, certificate of participation, breakfast, lunch, gala dinner, and excursion. There are no refunds but delegates can send substitutes at no additional cost.
Publications
1. Conference Proceedings: Full papers accepted for the BRCR Conference will be included in the Conference Proceedings (with an ISSN number) to be published after the conference.
2. Article Publication: The BRCR Conference has partnered with journals accredited by South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training and indexed in SCOPUS, UGC CARE List, IBSS, EBSCO, ProQuest, ABDC, COPERNICUS, SAJE, CABELL, SABINET, J-Gate, WoS, EconLit, DOAJ, ERIH PLUS, etc., to publish Special Issues featuring selected papers from the conference. These partner journals include the Interdisciplinary Journal of Economics and Business Law, Review of Business and Economics Studies, Journal of Academic Finance, Emerging Markets Case Studies, Journal of Contemporary Management, and the African Journal of Business and Economic Research. Please note that the final decision for paper publication will be evaluated based on peer review reports of the Journals. Additional publication charges may be incurred depending on the Journal selected. Emerald pay authors £100 (GBP) or the equivalent currency, upon publication of their case study in Emerging Markets Case Studies.
Important Dates
Closing date for submission of abstracts (max. 250 words): 31 March 2025
Abstract acceptance notification : 05 April 2025 (notification will be given 5 days after submission)
Due date for registration and payment of fees (early bird): 31 March 2025
Due date for registration and payment of fees (regular): 30 April 2025
Due date for submission of full papers (5000-8000 words): 30 April 2025
Conference dates: 17 -20 June 2025
Travel & VISA Information
There are direct local and international flights to the city of Durban’s King Shaka International Airport. The conference venue, Garden Court Marine Parade Hotel, is only 30 minutes away from King Shaka International Airport by car or taxi. For directions from King Shaka International Airport to Garden Court Marine Parade Hotel, click (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ya9zj37GTN5HTvjv8). To obtain relevant information about South African visas, please visit the website of South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs (here).
Sponsors/Exhibitors Packages and Fees
For more information on sponsorships and exhibition opportunities, please contact Professor Bomi Cyril Nomlala at Nomlalabc@ukzn.ac.za
Scientific Committee
Professor Jobo Dubihlela (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Professor Cecile Gerwel (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Professor Evelyn Derera (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Professor Josue Mbonigaba (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Professor Liafisu Sina Yekini (University of Derby)
Professor Gbadebo Odularu (Bay Atlantic University)
Professor Patricia Lindelwa Makoni (University of South Africa)
Professor Sunde Tafirenyika (Namibia University of Science and Technology)
Professor Kalu O. Emenike (University of Eswatini)
Professor Mulatu Fekadu Zerihun (Tshwane University of Technology)
Professor Olubukunola Ranti Uwuigbe (Covenant University)
Professor Zandri Dickason Koekemoer (North-West University)
Professor Suné Ferreira-Schenk (North-West University)
Professor Yusuf Opeyemi Akinwale (Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University)
Professor Mabutho Sibanda (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Professor Paul-Francois Muzindutsi (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Professor Rajendra Rajaram (CA)(SA) (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Professor Joseph Olorunfemi Akande (Walter Sisulu University)
Professor Surendran Subrayan Pillay (University of KwaZulu – Natal)
Professor Phocenah Nyatanga (University of KwaZulu – Natal)
Professor Kerry-Ann McCullough (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Professor Teresa Kaulihowa (Namibia University of Science and Technology)
Professor Godfrey Marozva (University of South Africa)
Professor Bomi Nomlala (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Professor Barnes Sookdeo (University of South Africa)
Professor Patrick Ndayizigamiye (University of Johannesburg)
Professor Nhamo Mashavira (Great Zimbabwe University)
Professor Kin Sibanda (Walter Sisulu University)
Dr Esinath Ndiweni (Heriot Watt University)
Dr Ashika Maharaj (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Dr Jeremiah Machingambi (University of the Western Cape)
Dr Mashford Zenda (University of the Free State)
Dr Tendayi Mutimukuru Maravanyika (Great Zimbabwe University)
Dr Meshel Muzuva (Management College of Southern Africa)
Dr Cuthbert Muza (Walter Sisulu University)
Dr Dorah Dubihlela (Walter Sisulu University)
Dr Sedzani Musundwa (University of South Africa)
Dr Durrel Ramrathan (MultiChoice)
Professor Adefemi A. Obalade (University of the
Western Cape)
Dr Magret Olarewaju (Coventry University)
Dr Eriyoti Chikodza (University of Botswana)
Dr Mjabuliseni Ngidi (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Dr Nkosinamandla Shezi (University of South
Africa)
Dr Gulali Indiya Donald (Maseno University)
Professor Mishelle Doorasamy (University of
KwaZulu-Natal)
Dr Victor Gumbo (Modworld Consulting)
Dr Agyei Samuel Kwaku (University of Cape Coast)
Dr Oluwasoye P. Mafimisebi (De Montfort
University)
Dr Stephen C. Mpembele (Copperbelt University)
Dr Precious Mncayi (North-West University)
Dr Bhupendra Kumar (Debre Tabor University)
Professor Rufaro Garidzirai (Walter Sisulu
University)
Professor Ferdinand Niyimbanira (University of
Mpumalanga)
Dr Thomas Habanabakize (Tshwane University of
Technology)
Dr Bhasela Yalezo (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Dr Frank Ranganai Matenda (University of
KwaZulu-Natal)
Professor Upasana Gitanjali Singh (University of
KwaZulu-Natal)
Dr Lorraine Muguto (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Dr Njabulo Nkomazana (Midlands State University)
Dr Jean Damascene Mvunabandi (Durban
University of Technology)
Dr Mugove Mashingaidze (BA ISAGO University)
Dr Helper Zhou (Sigma International/Durban
University of Technology)
Dr Hillary Muguto (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Dr Elmon Mudefi (Walter Sisulu University)
Dr Justin Chirima (University of Malawi)
Dr Lilian Nwosu (North-West University)
Dr Caleb Adelowo (North-West university)
Dr Hlupeko Dube (Great Zimbabwe University)
Dr Haruna Maama (Durban University of
Technology)
Dr Masibulele Phesa (CA)(SA) (University of
KwaZulu-Natal)
Dr Reward Utete (University of Zululand)
Ms Kajal Ramnanun (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Ms Zamanguni Hariatah Gumede (CA)(SA)
(University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Ms Salma Vanker (CA)(SA) (University of
KwaZulu-Natal)
Ms Fikile Dube (University of the Western Cape)
Adv Annastacia Mthembu (University of South
Africa)
Ms Edith Mbiriri (University of South Africa)
Conference Chairpersons
Professor Paul-Francois Muzindutsi
MuzindutsiP@ukzn.ac.za
Professor Bomi Cyril Nomlala
Nomlalabc@ukzn.ac.za
Enqueries
Conference Coordinator
Dr Frank R. Matenda
Email: BRCR-Conference@ukzn.ac.za cc MatendaF@ukzn.ac.za
Our website: https://businessrescue.ukzn.ac.za/
