PIMARC 2026 concludes on high note: Bridges research, leadership and real-world impact

The Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) successfully concluded its annual research conference PIMARC 2026 on 19 February, convening academics, business leaders, policymakers, and emerging scholars for a day of critical reflection and forward-thinking dialogue.

Held under the theme ‘Inclusive and Responsible Management: Research for the New World,’ this year’s conference addressed a question that resonates deeply in today’s climate: How can research move beyond academic publication to become practical knowledge that informs policy, strengthens organisations, and supports responsible decision-making in an evolving world?

Strengthening research collaboration with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, this year too PIMARC 2026 aligned with the International Conference of Business Management (ICBM) 2026, the theme for the joint conference being ‘Inclusive and Responsible Management for a Circular Economy and Digital Future.’ The conference reinforced the importance of rigorous, evidence-based research in supporting national development while maintaining global relevance in an increasingly complex world.

ICBM 2026 Co-Chairs Dr. Isuru Manawadu and Dr. Sepali Bamunusinghe, together with PIMARC 2026 Co-Chairs Dr. Samantha Rathnayake and Dr. Sakunthala Durairatnam, ensured a seamless integration of the two academic conferences, delivering an insightful and thought-provoking outcome.

PIM Director Dr. Asanga Ranasinghe underscored the importance of research moving beyond academic publications to become practical knowledge that informs policy, strengthens organisations, and supports responsible decision-making while anticipating future challenges. He also highlighted the importance of stronger partnerships between academia and industry, creating a shared dialogue where evidence and real-world experience translate research into action.

Chief Guest, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Vice Chancellor Senior Prof. Pathmalal Manage highlighted that research is fundamental to academic institutions and must be conducted through inclusive and responsible management practices. Drawing on the experience from his own research journey, he spoke of the need for multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration and noted that addressing complex global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and public health requires engagement across diverse disciplines and stakeholder groups. 

He also stressed that research guided by integrity, ethical standards, and strong management perspectives can produce meaningful outcomes that contribute to national development.

Guest of Honour, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce Dean Prof. Dushan Jayawickrama emphasised on the value of collaborative research platforms that bring together academia, industry, and learning partners to generate knowledge that is both intellectually rigorous and practically relevant. 

He noted that such engagement encourages scholars to challenge existing assumptions, think critically, and translate theoretical insights into practical solutions that benefit organisations and the wider community. He further emphasised that closer collaboration between universities and industry can help ensure that research contributes meaningfully to practice and societal progress.

Distinguished keynote speaker Swinburne University of Technology Australia Professor of Accounting and Sustainability and Innovation Research Group Chair Prof. Subhash Abhayawansa highlighted the need to bridge the persistent gap between academic research and real-world decision-making. While institutions like the PIM generate a growing body of knowledge through cutting-edge research, translating this evidence into practical action for professionals, practitioners, and policymakers remains a challenge. 

Referring to the concept of innovation diffusion, the speaker emphasised that moving from discovery to meaningful change requires active engagement, clear communication, and actionable insights. He noted that researchers must ensure their work is relevant, credible, accessible, and actionable, while policymakers and practitioners must also engage more purposefully with research to transform evidence into effective decisions and sustainable outcomes. 

The highlight of the day was the launch of PIM Teaching Case Studies 2026, reflecting the PIM’s strong commitment to research. The publication features 11 teaching cases covering sustainability, governance and leadership, and quality, service, and operational excellence. Curated by Dr. Ranasinghe, Dr. Ananda Jayawardana, Dr. Durairatnam, and Dr. Sujeewa Damayanthi, the cases present real organisational success stories linked to key management concepts. The publication consists of teaching notes and the cases provide valuable learning material for graduate and postgraduate management education.

A new dimension added to PIMARC 2026 was the insight-driven and thought-stimulating industry-academia panel discussion with the participation of distinguished panellists Sunshine Holdings PLC Group Chief People and Corporate Communications Officer and Sunshine Consumer Lanka Ltd., Board Director Michelle Senanayake, Academy of Supply Chain Management Director and Lanka Sathosa Immediate Past President Dr. Samith Perera, CEAT Kelani Holdings COO Shamal Gunawardene, Dr. Asanga Ranasinghe, PIM Visiting Lecturer Dr. Riyad Ismail, and Dr. Isuru Manawadu. The discussion was moderated by PIM Senior Professor in Management Ajantha S. Dharmasiri.

This year’s PIMARC featured stimulating paper presentations, in the streams of Doctoral Colloquium and research papers covering the disciplines of Management Research Projects, Entrepreneurship Skills Projects, Management Field Research Projects, and Guided Independent Study Projects. These sessions were convened under the guidance of a learned panel including, Senior Prof. Dharmasiri, Prof. Dinesh Samarasinghe, Prof. R. Ajward, Prof. Nalin Abeysekera, Prof. Wasanthi Madurapperuma, Dr. Sujeewa Damayanthi, Dr. Ravi Bamunusinghe, Dr. Mayuri Attapattu, Dr. Travis Perera, Dr. Trevor Mendis, Dr. Dilhan Gunatilake, Champal De Costa, and Tharindu Amarasekera.

The joint conference culminated in a much-anticipated Biz Forum on the topic of ‘Sri Lanka’s Surge into Circular Economy’ held at the Hilton Colombo on 20 February. The anchor address was delivered by Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, who presented an insightful overview of Sri Lanka’s strategic and economic policy framework guiding the country’s transition towards a circular economy. His address set the stage for a thought-provoking discussion among leading figures from Government and industry. 

The panel featured Dr. Suriyapperuma alongside Brandix Lanka Ltd., Managing Director Hasitha Premaratne, CBL Group Managing Director Shea Wickramasingha, and Dialog Axiata Executive Director and Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe. The session was moderated by Prof. Dushan Jayawickrama and Dr. Asanga Ranasinghe.

With another successful conference concluded, the PIM reaffirms its role as a leading national platform for management scholarship—nurturing ideas that guide leaders to build organisations that are not only successful but socially conscious and sustainable.