MEM brings together PhD students, junior faculty and senior scholars to advance rigorous research on firms and organizing in emerging and frontier markets. After editions at Wharton (2024), Rotman (2025) and Washington University in St. Louis (2026), the 2027 conference is the first held in an emerging market.

Hosted with Duke University, Imperial Business School, the Alan Grey Centre for African Entrepreneurship and the Interdisciplinary Network of Technology and Entrepreneurship Research in Africa with support from AOM Community Accelerator Program, it will offer:

• Cutting-edge research across qualitative, quantitative and theoretical work. Papers from past editions have appeared in OrgSci, ASQ, SMJ, ManSci, JBV and AMJ.
• Senior panels on publishing and the editorial process, responding to today’s global shifts, and creating impact.
• Broader access, with most new places reserved for scholars based in emerging markets.
• Practitioner workshops and site visits with South African firms.