This year, we are excited to host the 3rd Case Track as part of the IBA-SBS 5th International Conference 2026, centered around the theme “Transforming Business in the Age of Global Uncertainty”. 

We welcome cases across any business discipline, including finance, strategy, marketing, operations, governance, entrepreneurship, management, accounting, law, and organisational behaviour, as well as other contexts where discussion-based learning is valuable. We particularly value decision-oriented cases based on real-world scenarios, supported by primary materials such as interviews and field research. While anonymization is permitted, all cases should be rooted in authentic experiences, real people, and actual institutions.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR CASE SUBMISSIONS

Cases must be original, unpublished work that has not been accepted for publication or placed under simultaneous review elsewhere, including in journals, books, case repositories, or online platforms; cases previously presented at workshops or forums may be submitted only if they have been substantially revised.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Each submission consists of two files:

FILE 1: Combined Case and Instructor's Manual/Teaching Note
A single Word document containing both the full case and the Instructor's Manual/Teaching Note. This file must be anonymized-no author names, institutional affiliations, or identifying information anywhere in the document or its file properties.

FILE 2: One-Page Case Summary
A separate one-page document including the case title, author name(s), institutional affiliation(s), and contact details.

Submission deadline: September 30, 2026

Submit via: https://ir.iba.edu.pk/sbsic/

Late submissions will not be accepted.

FORMAT GUIDELINES

Case and Instructor's Manual/Teaching Note (combined, File 1)

• Format: .doc or .docx
• Font: Times New Roman, 12pt
• Spacing: Single-spaced, with a blank line between paragraphs
• Maximum length: 30 pages total, including all exhibits
• Exhibits should be grouped at the end of the case, each with a number, title, and source citation
• In-text citations as endnotes; references in APA format at the end of the case

One-Page Case Summary (File 2)

• Font: Times New Roman, 12pt
• Spacing: Single-spaced
• Margins: One inch on all sides
• Alignment: Left-aligned, except for the title

WHAT THE INSTRUCTOR'S MANUAL/TEACHING NOTE SHOULD INCLUDE

• A brief synopsis of the case (maximum one page)
• Intended course(s), level(s), position within the course, topics covered, and specific learning objectives
• A Research Methods section — explaining how case information was gathered, the author(s)' relationship to the organisation, and how access was obtained
• A description of any disguises or anonymisation used
• Suggested teaching approaches, including expected discussion flow, key questions, role plays, debates, audiovisual materials, and a board plan
• Guidance for both in-person and online teaching settings
• Assignment questions with accompanying analysis
• An epilogue or follow-up on the actual decision made, where applicable 

A NOTE ON WRITING STYLE 

Cases describe a situation at a specific point in time and should generally be written in the past tense, except for quoted material. Most cases open with a short scene-setter, usually under one page, that introduces the protagonist, the organisation, the time frame, and the central situation or decision. Subsequent sections typically cover company and industry background before moving into the specific dilemma or decision point. The case should invite discussion and analysis, not present a completed solution. 

USE OF AI AND AI-ASSISTED TECHNOLOGY

Authors must declare any use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools in preparing their submission. The declaration should include the prompts used, the outputs generated, and any adaptations made. This must appear in the Research Methods section of the Instructor's Manual/Teaching Note, with a footnote on the first page of the case. AI tools may not be listed as co-authors.

REVIEW PROCESS AND PUBLICATION

All submissions undergo a double-blind peer review, evaluated on relevance to the conference theme, originality, authenticity, decision focus, writing quality, depth of content, and potential for classroom discussion. Accepted cases will be considered for publication opportunities. Authors will also present and discuss their work at the Case Track roundtable sessions, a platform for academic exchange, networking, and developmental feedback.

At least one author must attend the conference as a registered delegate and participate in the roundtable sessions. Authors submitting to more than one track must ensure a co-author is also available to attend.

If you have general questions related to the conference or submissions, please contact at sbsic@iba.edu.pk

1. LENGTH & FORMATTING

• The extended abstract should be between 1,000 – 1,500 words (excluding references).
• Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing, and justified text alignment.
• Margins: 1-inch (2.54 cm) on all sides.
• Use APA 7th edition for citations and references.

2. STRUCTURE OF THE EXTENDED ABSTRACT

The extended abstract should be structured as follows:

• TITLE
  • Clear and concise, reflecting the main theme of the research.
• AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
  • Full name, affiliation, email address, and corresponding author details.
• INTRODUCTION
  • Brief background of the study.
  • Research problem and objectives.
  • Significance of the study.
  • Contribution of the study.
• THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK & HYPOTHESES (IF APPLICABLE)
  • Key theoretical lens used in the study.
  • Explanation of core concepts and relationships.
• METHODOLOGY
  • Research design (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method).
  • Sample and procedure.
  • Measures.
  • Analytical techniques.
• KEY FINDINGS
  • Summary of preliminary or final results.
  • Insights drawn from data analysis.
• DISCUSSION & CONTRIBUTIONS
  • Theoretical implications.
  • Practical implications.
  • Limitations and future research directions.
• REFERENCES
  • List of key references following APA 7th style.