Finance Track: Finance in an Age of Disruption

Businesses today operate in an environment defined by volatility rather than stability. Geopolitical tension, inflation and interest rate movements, supply chain disruption, banking sector fragility, the rapid pace of AI-driven change, and climate-related risks such as extreme weather events, transition costs, and shifting regulatory requirements have together made uncertainty a defining condition of modern finance. The Finance Track at the IBA-SBS 5th International Conference 2026 examines how finance, financial systems, governance structures, and investment practices can build resilience, manage risk, and enable business transformation in this uncertain landscape.

This track welcomes scholarly contributions in all areas of finance, covering theoretical and empirical papers on Asset Pricing, Behavioral Finance, Corporate Finance, Market Efficiency and Anomalies, and Financial Markets and Institutions.

In addition to the above areas, key themes within the Finance Track include, but are not limited to:

1. Corporate Finance & Governance Under Uncertainty

• Board oversight, risk governance, and executive decision-making amid market volatility
• Capital structure and financing decisions amid volatility
• M&A and restructuring in turbulent markets
• Financial distress, default risk, and resilience

2. Islamic Finance & Financial Resilience

• Risk-sharing models as a stabilizer in uncertain markets
• Sukuk and Islamic instruments for resilient financing
• Islamic microfinance and financial inclusion in volatile economic conditions

3. Risk Management, ESG & Impact Finance

• ESG investing, green bonds, and impact finance
• ESG and greenwashing
• Climate and transition risk

4. Geopolitical, Market & Financial Stability Risk

• Geopolitical risk and cross-border capital flows
• Currency, inflation, and interest rate volatility
• Systemic risk, banking stability, and regulatory response to global volatility
• Carbon markets and energy transition risk

4. Fintech, AI & Disruptive Innovation in Finance

• AI, big data, and blockchain
• Digital banking resilience and cybersecurity risk
• Fintech-driven financial inclusion in volatile economies

Please note: The list above, though not exhaustive, serves as a guideline for potential topics.

Special Issue Publication Opportunity

Scholars working at the intersection of ESG, sustainability, and business risk are also invited to consider submitting their research to the Risks (Scopus Q1) Special Issue “ESG and Business Risks,” guest edited by Dr. Amama Shaukat.

The Special Issue welcomes rigorous and innovative research examining how ESG considerations interact with financial, operational, climate, governance, strategic, reputational, and systemic risks. Contributions offering interdisciplinary perspectives, novel datasets, innovative methodologies, and policy-relevant insights are particularly encouraged.

Researchers whose work aligns with these themes are warmly encouraged to explore this opportunity to contribute to the growing academic debate on how ESG considerations are reshaping the identification, assessment, governance, and management of business risks.

Further details and submission information:

Risks | Special Issue: ESG and Business Risks

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