BEN-Africa's 20th Annual Conference: BEN-Africa's 20th Annual Conference: Inclusive and Principled Business: Ethical Values, African Stakeholders Strand Hotel Swakopmund, Namibia, November 4-5, 2021 |
Conference website | http://www.benafrica.org |
Submission link | https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=benafricas20thannual |
Abstract registration deadline | August 1, 2021 |
Submission deadline | August 1, 2021 |
Submission Guidelines
All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference. The following paper categories are welcome:
Inclusive and Principled Business: Ethical Values; African Stakeholders
The conference is an international platform for stakeholders from the private sector, public sector, non-profit organisations, and academia to come together and reflect on, discuss and respond to the opportunities and challenges related to conducting inclusive and principled business in Africa.
BEN-Africa’s stated mission is to strengthen the commitment and competence of Africans to do business with moral integrity.
As we convene in Swakopmund, Namibia, for our 20th annual conference, we believe it is an opportune time to revisit, critically evaluate and revitalise the foundational concepts which guide such a mission. What does it mean to be a stakeholder in today’s economy? Can stakeholder theory still deliver on its promise for inclusive and sustainable business practice, particularly in an African context? What does value and wealth creation mean in todays’ society facing multiple and acute challenges, such as climate change, global pandemics and accelerating technological change which seem to exacerbate existing inequalities? Are the values and principles that inform and guide business in the current milieu fit for purpose? What does values-driven leadership look like from the African point of view? How do we reinvigorate ethics in African business to restore its transformative and development impetus?
Submissions
Scholars and other experts from around the world are invited to submit industry and academic papers and posters that address the theme of ‘Inclusive and Principled Business: Ethical Values; African Stakeholders’ (please see below for suggested sub-themes). However, any papers dealing with business or organisational ethics in Africa will be considered.
The conference language is English.
The conference will take a hybrid format – both virtual and face-to-face presentations will be conducted.
Submission of academic papers may be in abstract for presentation at the conference only, or as a full paper for presentation and publication in either the Conference Proceedings or in the African Journal of Business Ethics.
a. Abstracts
The abstract of the papers and posters will be reviewed for relevance and rigour. 500-1000 words.
Accepted abstracts will for allow for a paper presentation during the conference track-sessions, but will NOT allow for pull paper publication. Should you wish to submit a full paper, please see section b. below.
b. Full papers
Full paper submissions (5000-8000 words) for possible inclusion in the Conference Proceedings or the African Journal of Business Ethics will be reviewed by at least three reviewers following a double-blind peer review process. By submitting a full paper you agree to blind peer reviewing two other full paper submission and being on the Conference Editorial Board if selected. Papers should be anonymised prior to submission.
Conference Proceedings ISBN Title: BEN-Africa’s 20th Annual Conference: Conference Proceedings 2021.
Conference Proceedings ISBN Number: 978-0-620-92115-2 (e-book)
Please follow the author guidelines for the African Journal of Business Ethics for both Conference Proceedings and for African Journal of Business Ethics submissions:
https://ajobe.journals.ac.za/index.php/pub/about/submissions#authorGuidelines
South African authors: Please note that while the Conference Proceedings are published in accordance with the South African DHET requirements for subsidy purposes, BEN-Africa and the Conference organisers do NOT provide any undertaking or guarantee that the Conference Proceedings will qualify for DHET subsidy purposes.
Only unpublished papers, not submitted elsewhere, will be considered. All accepted papers must be presented in person or virtually at the conference. A maximum of two papers may be submitted by an author.
Abstracts and full paper submission should be submitted via the EasyChair portal. PDF submission documents MUST NOT contain any author/s details (suitable for double blind peer review). Please consult EasyChairs FAQs should you have any difficulty submitting.
Timeline
- August 1, 2021: Deadline for abstract submissions (500-1,000 words) and for full papers for potential publication in the Conference Proceedings and the African Journal of Business Ethics*.
- September 30, 2021: Confirmation of acceptance to present at the Conference.
- November 4-5, 2021: Conference. The presentation parallel sessions will take place on Day 1 of the conference - 4th November.
- December 9, 2021: Re-submission of revised, full papers.
- January 15 –March 15, 2022: Completion of external review, and feedback to authors.
- Mid-May 2022: Publication of papers in the African Journal of Business Ethics.
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*Please note that abstract submissions are adequate if you only intend on presenting at the conference. If, however, you are interested in publishing your paper in the Conference Proceedings or the African Journal of Business Ethics, the above deadlines must please be adhered to.
We are also pleased to announce the Aloe award for the best conference paper. The winner will be announced at the conference. To be eligible for this award, your FULL paper must be submitted by 1 August 2021. BEN-Africa reserves the right not to make the award should an insufficient amount of full papers be received by the deadline.
Registration and registration fees
Presenters are required to register and pay for the conference, as below and to make their own way to the conference.
- Early Bird special (registration and payment by 1 August 2021): USD 200 / R3000
- BEN-Africa paid member, TEI or USB-ED member: USD 235 / R3500
- Standard Registration: USD275 / R4000
Sub-themes
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Case studies on African organisations/corporations/industries/national and regional economies which focus on business ethics/leadership/governance/CSR
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Business ethics/governance in the African public-sector
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Public-sector – Corporate partnerships to promote integrity
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Anti-corruption/fraud programmes in Africa
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Ethics in the professions and Africa: extractive industries, public-works, engineering, auditing, banking, accounting
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Whistleblowing
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Africa and 4IR
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Africa and the ethics challenge of AI, automation and Big Data
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The potential of ‘Leapfrogging technologies’ for Africa
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How can one construct well-reasoned alternatives to prevailing practices that violate values of justice, well-being and dignity, in ways of thinking and in strategy, policy and practice?
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Who has responsibilities (and response-abilities) – to act, to desist, to compensate – in regard to violations of values of justice, human well-being and dignity?
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How can we apply indigenous African institutional models, cultural norms, and Ubuntu values to business ethics?
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Whose ethics should be enforced to ensure good governance and a reduction in corruption?
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Does the West have the right to force its business ethics standards on business on the African continent?
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How can African communitarianism enhance our ethical discourse?
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Are Ubuntu and free market capitalism incompatible?
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Is a relational ethic like Ubuntu better able to ground our ethical obligations than individualism?
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Can Ubuntu provide a strong basis for sustainability and environmental protection?
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Developments in business ethics teaching and practice
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Defining the business ethics agenda for Africa: Contextual challenges and opportunities
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Managing ethics in African companies and organisations
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Poverty and sustainability: defining the challenges and the way forward
Publication
BEN-Africa's 20th Annual Conference proceedings will be published in Conference Proceedings ISBN Title: BEN-Africa’s 20th Annual Conference: Conference Proceedings 2021. Conference Proceedings ISBN Number: 978-0-620-92115-2 (e-book)
by BEN-Africa
Venue
The conference will be held virtually and in person. The conference venue is the Strand Hotel, Swakopmund, Namibia.
Contact
info@benafrica.org