ICOPEX 202711th International Conference on Operational Excellence

The International Conference on Operational Excellence (OPEX) was founded by Professor Jiju Antony (formerly known as Lean Six Sigma) in 2004 in Glasgow, Scotland. The conference has attracted over 1200 academics and practitioners from over 35 countries since then. The 11th International Conference on Operational Excellence (OPEX) will explore the importance of Human-Centricity and Sustainability of OPEX in the era of AI and Digitalization. The conference will be aimed at attracting like-minded quality and OPEX professionals from all sorts of sectors, including manufacturing, service, public sector and voluntary sector or third sector. Operational Excellence (OPEX) in the era of AI and Digitalization is the pursuit of superior performance by integrating advanced digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and automation, into industrial operations. It focuses on creating smart factories where machines, systems, and processes are interconnected, enabling real-time data exchange and decision-making. Continuous Improvement (CI) is driven by real-time analytics, transforming traditional manufacturing into agile, responsive systems that can meet modern market demands through the intelligent application of digital technologies. It may foster human-centricity by automating repetitive, “robotic” tasks, allowing employees to focus on high-value creative problem- solving and emotional intelligence. It can also reduce burnout and physical strain, enhance safety and personalization. But it also introduces the risk of “digital alienation” or the erosion of human intuition if systems become overly prescriptive. Moreover, implementing these technologies can also make the workers feel that they may be replaced by the machines they oversee. Naturally, these dilemmas should also be addressed by the academicians and managers. Although several organizations are embracing OPEX as a philosophy for business transformation, yet only a few achieve sustained success with this change. Research also indicates that while OPEX adoption has positively impacted financial, environmental, and operational performance, its influence on social and governance aspects remains limited. In practice, many organizations launch OPEX programs with strong tools and methodologies, yet struggle to embed them into everyday decision-making and leadership behaviours. While gains in cost, efficiency, and environmental performance are often realized, social and governance dimensions such as employee engagement, ethical leadership, and accountability are frequently treated as secondary. Successful organizations are those that move beyond isolated improvement projects and integrate OPEX into their culture, management systems, and governance structures. Doing so enables OPEX to become a practical enabler of sustainable, people-focused, and responsibly governed operations rather than a short-term efficiency initiative. Thus, the primary goal of the upcoming conference is to convene academic scholars and industry practitioners to delve into the critical human-centric challenges of sustaining OPEX in the AI and digitalization era through discussions and collaborations that drive global research initiatives addressing these pertinent issues.

The specific objectives of the conference are as follows:

• Build a network of researchers and practitioners in all industrial sectors willing to take a pioneering role in promoting OPEX methodologies.
• Share the best practice case studies of OPEX methodologies in various industrial settings
• Critically evaluate the role of digitalization tools in the context of OPEX
• Understand the impact of AI and digitalization on human aspects during OPEX transformation
• Discuss the reasons for non-sustainability of OPEX in organizations and explore the strategies to mitigate the reasons for disappointment
• Critically assess the status of OPEX in different parts of the world, especially in the era of digitalization
• Explore the potential research gaps in OPEX and how to develop a global research community to address such gaps

With an exciting theme for the upcoming conference, we invite paper submissions on relevant sub-themes, including, but not limited to the following:

• Theme 1: Emerging Trends for OPEX in the era of Digitalization
• Theme 2: OPEX for manufacturing companies (including SMEs)
• Theme 3: OPEX for the Service Sector (Banking, Finance, Airline, Transportation, etc.)
• Theme 4: OPEX for the Public Sector and Voluntary or Third Sector (Police, Ambulance, Health, Local authorities or Municipalities, Education, Charity or non-profit, etc.)
• Theme 5: Sustainability of OPEX
• Theme 6: Integration of OPEX with Industry 4.0 (AI, Big data, Blockchain, IoT, etc.) and 5.0
• Theme 7: Integration of OPEX with Innovation
• Theme 8: OPEX in Supply Chain and Logistics Operations
• Theme 9: Application of quality improvement initiatives and OPEX tools (VSM, QFD, Design of Experiments, TPM, etc.)
• Theme 10: Exploring human-centricity in the pursuit of OPEX through AI and digitalization
• Theme 11: Data-Driven OPEX and Performance Management (e.g. leading vs. lagging indicators, real-time dashboards, KPIs that matter)
• Theme 12: OPEX in Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) Environments
• Theme 13: Miscellaneous topics (Leadership, Integration of ISO standards with OPEX, Business Excellence Models, Shingo Model, etc.)

• Senior Managers engaged in OPEX and Digitalization
• Academics and Researchers engaged in OPEX and Digitalization, Quality Management and Continuous Improvement topics
• Quality Management and Continuous Improvement Professionals
• OPEX consultants and practitioners
• Doctoral students (PhD, DBA) in OPEX and related topics
• Business Excellence model practitioners and researchers (e.g.: EFQM, Shingo Model, etc.)
• Industry 4.0 / 5.0 and Smart Manufacturing specialists
• Data analytics and AI professionals working in operations excellence

The basis for acceptance of papers is that they must be relevant and contribute to the current literature of OPEX topics, Quality Management, Continuous Improvement, and Total Quality Management. Authors are invited to submit an extended abstract of 300 words through the conference submission system. All conference abstracts will be double-blind reviewed by members of a Scientific Committee to ensure their academic rigor, practical significance to industrial arena and value to existing literature.

When an abstract is accepted, the authors are encouraged to submit the full paper. Full Papers should be typed on standard A4 pages using 12-point Times New Roman typeface or equivalent in MS Word. Final Manuscripts should be limited to 3000-3500 words in length, double-spaced with double-space between paragraphs and for formating requirements please see the author guidelines.

Registration Fee

• Registration fees are exclusive of 18% GST, which will be charged additionally during the time of registration.
• Fee is non-refundable but transferable to another participant with prior notice/permission
• Only one paper is allowed for one registration. However, if multiple papers have to presented, separate registration fees for each paper have to be paid.

Registration Fee Includes:

Conference kit, access to all sessions, workshops, and exhibitions; lunch and refreshments during conference days; inaugural and valedictory dinners; and a certificate of participation.

Address:

Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode,
Kunnamangalam,
IIMK Campus PO,
Kozhikode-673570,
Kerala, INDIA.

Location on Google Map: http://goo.gl/maps/B9F2y

The Institute is about an hour's drive from the Kozhikode/Calicut International Airport (CCJ) (32 km) and about 30 minutes (18 km) from the Calicut Railway Station.

There are a large number of hotels available in Kozhikode (List of hotels). In addition to these hotels, a limited number of accommodations are also available at IIMK MDC. For booking accommodation, one needs to forward their request to the conclave committee. The available rooms will be allotted on a First Come First Serve basis.

MDC Room Tariffs (per night, including 5% GST):

Room Type	Rate (INR)
Standard Single Occupancy Room	₹ 3150
Standard Double Occupancy Room	₹ 4410
Premium Single Occupancy Room	₹ 3780
Premium Double Occupancy Room	₹ 5292

The fifth IIM to be established by Govt. of India in 1996, IIMK started its academic journey in 1997 with its flagship Postgraduate Program (PGP). The Institute is on a high growth trajectory today, offering widest range of academic programs in the field of management education. These include Doctoral Programme in Management (PhD), Executive PG Programmes, Management Development Programmes and Faculty Development Programs. IIMK set up a Satellite campus at Infopark, Kochi, in 2013 dedicated to Executive Education. IIMK has also the unique distinction of launching a PhD (Practice Track) programme for working professionals besides bringing in new dynamic courses like one-year Post Graduate programme in Business Leadership (2019) MBA in Finance and MBA in Liberal Studies & Management (2020). IIM Kozhikode also launched a one-of-its kind 4-year full-time undergraduate programme – Bachelor of Management studies in 2025. The institute is also home to IIMK LIVE a first-of-its-kind startup incubation programme, the Indian Business Museum and seven other Centres of Excellences encompassing diverse areas. IIMK is ranked 3rd as per NIRF India Rankings 2024: Management. The institute also made its global debut for its flagship MBA and EMBA programme in the 2020/21 QS World University Rankings. In 2023, IIM Kozhikode also broke into Top-100 in Financial Times Ranking for Masters in Management (MBA) and gained 9 spots in 2024 to reach global #68. The Institute also attained global rank #70 in the FT Open Enrolment Programme for 2024. The Institute is globally accredited by EQUIS (EFMD) and AMBA (UK).

All potential sponsors may contact either the Local Chairs or the Conference Chair for further details regarding sponsorship opportunities.

The Research Office

IIM Kozhikode
IIMK Campus P. O,
Kozhikode, Kerala, India, PIN - 673 570

Email: icopex2027@iimk.ac.in
Phone: +91-495-2809 237 / 238