More than 120 delegates from eight countries gathered at British University Vietnam for SIBE 2026. Research presented at the international conference suggested that demonstrating value, ensuring reliable data and accessing resources remain key challenges for businesses adopting artificial intelligence (AI), meeting environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments, and moving towards more sustainable business models.
The second annual International Conference on Sustainable Innovation in Business and Economics (SIBE 2026) was recently held at British University Vietnam (BUV) under the theme “Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth”. The programme featured 43 research presentations and three keynote addresses by speakers representing regulators, industry and academia.
SIBE 2026 brought together more than 120 scholars and representatives of universities and businesses from eight countries. (Photo: BUV)
Alongside the research sessions, three workshops focused on systematic literature reviews, developing conference papers into journal articles and strengthening the real-world impact of research. The sessions were led by Professor Magiswary Dorasamy and Associate Professor Lin Woon Leong from Taylor’s University, Malaysia, alongside Linh Nguyen, Vietnam Business Manager at Emerald Publishing.
Taking AI from Pilot Projects to Business Operations
A case study by Vu Linh (BUV) at a major private retail bank in Vietnam found that the most difficult step is often moving AI from a successful pilot into dependable production, as the bank must demonstrate its practical value with evidence. The author also proposed criteria for assessing readiness before scaling up.
Taking a broader industry perspective, Le Duc Phat and Le Huyen Trang from Thang Long University identified several barriers to AI adoption in Vietnamese commercial banking, including fragmented data, legacy technology systems and a shortage of specialist talent. The authors recommended a phased approach to implementation, tailored to the level of risk, alongside clearer supervisory guidance from regulators.
In her keynote address, From Adoption to Agency: Generative and Agentic AI as Engines of Sustainable Business Innovation, Dr Aishwarya Nagarathinam from CHRIST (Deemed to be University), India, explored the shift from AI adoption towards systems capable of taking action. Her presentation considered questions of accountability, the energy costs associated with AI, and the potential contribution of generative and agentic AI to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ESG Transparency Starts with Reliable Data
In his keynote address, The Road to Mandatory ESG Disclosure: Lessons from Vietnam and ASEAN, Mr Vu Chi Dzung, Director General, Department of Legal and International Affairs at the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC), discussed the path towards mandatory environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure, drawing on experience from Vietnam and selected ASEAN markets.
His presentation highlighted the importance of reporting standards, governance frameworks and data quality in improving the transparency and reliability of ESG information. Consistent disclosure requirements and verifiable data are also essential to helping investors assess businesses' sustainability performance and supporting the development of a more transparent capital market.
Mr Vu Chi Dzung, Director General, Department of Legal and International Affairs, State Securities Commission of Vietnam, speaks on the road to mandatory ESG disclosure. (Photo: BUV)
From an investment perspective, a study by Jaganath G from CHRIST (Deemed to be University), India, examined the financial risks associated with greenwashing, where environmental claims do not fully reflect actual performance. The study suggested that inconsistent ESG information and inadequate verification mechanisms can increase due diligence costs, undermine investor confidence and influence capital allocation decisions.
Turning to practical solutions in industry, Mr Umberto De Vita, Marketing Director at Advance Denim, presented BigBox Dyeing: Indigo Reimagined, showcasing the company's BigBox indigo dyeing technology. According to the figures presented, compared with conventional processes, the technology reduces water consumption by 95.5%, wastewater by 99%, chemical use by 35%, gas emissions by 44.3%, and electricity consumption by 25.5%. The Blue-Loop system was also reported to recover 98% of water and indigo dye.
The presentation offered an industry perspective on how changes to manufacturing processes can reduce resource consumption and environmental impact.
Ensuring Smaller Businesses Are Not Left Behind
A study by Quynh Anh Nguyen and Nguyen Luu from BUV on the role of government support in encouraging green innovation among Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) highlighted barriers relating to finance, technology and access to information. Preliminary findings suggest that information on support remains fragmented, leaving many firms to rely on personal connections, while better-resourced firms tend to benefit more.
In the animal-feed additives industry, Li Jia Ling and Shashi Chaudhary from BUV found that smaller businesses face constraints relating to operational capacity, digital infrastructure and resources when adopting agile logistics models.
A further challenge comes from AI-powered search itself. A study by Janice Sebastian and Nurnaz Samim Hussain from CHRIST (Deemed to be University), India, asked whether the dominance of English-language content and Western sources could affect the visibility of non-Western brands on these platforms. Pending empirical testing, the authors recommend that businesses publish bilingual content and localise it rather than rely on machine translation.
In Malaysia, a study by Tan Yin Yee and Lin Woon Leong from Taylor’s University on AI-driven green marketing, based on a survey of 158 decision-makers at technology start-ups, found that customer-facing marketing activities had the clearest effect on sustainability outcomes. Strategic intentions, by contrast, made a difference only when firms had the organisational capabilities to put them into action.
Tan Yin Yee (Taylor’s University, Malaysia) presents research on AI-driven green marketing among technology start-ups at the poster session. (Photo: BUV)
From banking and capital markets to small businesses, the research presented at SIBE 2026 suggests that digital and green transformation open up significant opportunities, but that results depend heavily on implementation capacity, data quality and access to resources. As both transitions increasingly shape competitiveness, bringing academic research closer to the needs of businesses and policymakers will remain central to SIBE's mission.
