Call for Submissions
The ISPIM Connects Yokohama Conference, “Transforming Society Through People and Innovation”, is a three-day event that brings together around 300 innovation management professionals from over 35 countries.​
Yokohama, Japan's second-largest city, addresses unique social challenges and leverages distinctive advantages. Challenges include achieving carbon neutrality, ensuring sustainable urban development, and improving quality of life through innovations in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. These issues align closely with Yokohama’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Conversely, Yokohama’s strengths lie in its robust startup ecosystem, significant R&D and advanced manufacturing sectors, and its active role in international collaboration.
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ISPIM encourages examples and insights into successful innovation practice, challenges or research from all regions of the world. If you are in doubt, please discuss your idea with an email to admin@ispim.org.
CONFERENCE THEMES
​Local Focus Themes:​​
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Advanced Manufacturing and R&D
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Green Transformation and Sustainability
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International Collaboration and SDG Leadership
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Life Sciences and Well-being of People
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Smart City Development
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Startup Ecosystem and Open Innovation
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General Themes:
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Innovation for big Challenges (Societal, Climate, SDGs etc)
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Innovation Leadership & Organisational Culture (SIG)*
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Innovation Management Systems, Standards & Certifications (SIG)*​
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​​Innovation Training, Teaching & Coaching (SIG)*
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Knowledge & Technology Transfer
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Living Labs (SIG)*
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Methods & Skills for Innovation Management Research
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Open Innovation
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Platforms, Ecosystems and Supply Chains
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Responsible Innovation (SIG)*
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Social Innovation (SIG)*
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Values-based & Sustainability-Oriented Innovation Management (SIG)*
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Other Innovation-Related Submissions
SIG = ISPIM Special Interest Group
Submission Deadlines
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3 October 2025: Abstracts Only (All Submissions)* Although the Call is now closed, we are happy to consider late submissions. Please enquire at admin@ispim.org if the submissions site is closed.
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17 October 2025: Acceptance Notification*
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31 October 2025: Final Submissions (including papers & photos) PLUS registration and receipt of payment
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24 November 2025: Presentation Slides
* Abstracts will be evaluated on a weekly rolling basis from 8 September, with the final batch being evaluated per the above deadline. Early submission and acceptance notification is possible for all authors with external funding application deadlines. Contact admin@ispim.org
Proceedings
Accepted submissions will be scheduled for presentation in the conference programme in thematic sessions. Papers will be published in the Conference Proceedings with an ISBN and included online in EBSCOhost and ProQuest. Authors may withhold their papers from the proceedings on request.
Award
The Dick Marsh Award
for the paper that best demonstrates innovation management impact