China’s economy is entering a new phase marked by structural adjustment, technological advancement, demographic change, green transition, and evolving patterns of business development. These changes are unfolding alongside broader shifts in the global economy, including the reorganisation of trade, investment, production networks, and regional cooperation. Together, these developments are reshaping China’s domestic business environment and its economic links with the Asia-Pacific and the wider world.
The 36rd Annual CESA Conference, hosted by the Emerging Market Research Group and the China Studies Centre at The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, invites submissions of original research on the Chinese economy and firms. This conference invites papers that explore the implications of these shifts for China’s economic development, business transformation, and international engagement. We welcome submissions from a range of disciplinary and methodological perspectives, including economics, business, management, political economy, and related fields. Topics may include, but are not limited to, macroeconomic restructuring, trade and investment, innovation and industrial upgrading, digitalisation, sustainability, regulation and governance, and China’s evolving international economic relations.
Conference enquiries and paper abstract submissions: cesa2026@163.com
Conference website: www.cesa2026.xyz; (previously: https://www.aeti.au/cesa2026)
The conference welcomes papers that examine, but are not limited to, the following themes:
China’s changing growth model and macroeconomic adjustment
Trade, investment, and the reconfiguration of global and regional supply chains
Innovation, digital transformation, and the future of Chinese business
Regulation, governance, and the evolving institutional environment
Green development, sustainability, and energy transition
China’s economic and business relations with Australia, Asia-Pacific, and the wider world
We look forward to receiving your high-quality submissions. Accepted papers will be presented at the conference, providing an excellent opportunity to share your research insights and engage in fruitful discussions with fellow scholars.
Special Issues:
1. Journal of International Management (ABDC = A) Special Issue & dedicated Paper Development Workshop
The Special Issue examines how China's changing role in the global economy is reshaping international management. Rather than treating China simply as an empirical context, it seeks research that uses China-related transformations to revisit, refine and extend international management theory. Topics include, but are not limited to:
AI, digital platforms and intelligent technologies;
internationalisation of Chinese firms and the changing strategies of foreign MNEs in China;
state–market relations, industrial policy and nonmarket strategy;
geopolitical and technological fragmentation;
global value chains, location and network reconfiguration;
cross-border innovation, data governance and technological standards; and
legitimacy, institutions and international management theory.
Guest editors of the Special Issue will participate in the conference, and a dedicated PDW will provide authors with an opportunity to discuss and develop their papers and receive developmental feedback. The JIM Special Issue itself has a manuscript submission deadline of 31 July 2027, providing participants with time after the conference to further develop their work.
If you would like your conference paper to be considered for this dedicated PDW, please indicate clearly in your CESA submission:
“For JIM Special Issue on China and the Reconfiguration of International Management.”
2. Economic Systems (SSCI Q1, B/ABDC)
“Governing the Green Transition as System Change: State Capacity, Policy Credibility, and Institutional Complementarities in Emerging and Transition Economies”
Guest editors: Yu Hao, Mariya Gubareva., Xunpeng (Roc) Shi.
Submission Deadline: 31 January 2027
Link: Economic Systems | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier – Economic Systems | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier
3. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management (SSCI)
“AI as an Innovator for Green Growth and Climate Governance Reform”
Guest editors: Yunfei An (Henan University, China), Nophea Sasaki (Sasin School of Management, Thailand), Xueqi Zhai (Henan University of Economics and Law, China)
Open date for submission: 1/09/2026
Author submission deadline: 31/03/2027
Final acceptance: 31/10/2027
Submissions address: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/calls-for-papers/ai-innovator-green-growth-and-climate-governance-reform
Local Organising Committee
Dr Wei Li (Co-chair), The University of Sydney
Professor Vikas Kumar (Co-chair), The University of Sydney
Professor Roc Shi (Co-chair), University of Technology Sydney
Conference enquiries and paper abstract submissions: cesa2026@163.com
