To thoroughly implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, align with the integrated development strategy of education, science and technology, and talent during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and explore innovative pathways for Business Administration under the wave of emerging technologies and new economic forms, the School of Economics and Management at the University of Science and Technology Beijing hosted the “New Technologies, New Economy, New Talent—New Year Forum on Business Administration Discipline Development” on December 31, 2025, in Room 312 of the SEM Building.
The forum brought together more than 80 participants, including distinguished scholars such as Associate Professor Wendong Li from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Youqing Fan from Western Sydney University, Professor Ying Lu from Macquarie University, Professor Yuntao Dong from Peking University, Research Fellow Lei Zhao from Renmin University of China, Professor Jun Liu from Wuhan University of Technology, Professor Wen Wu from Beijing Jiaotong University, Professor Mingpeng Huang from the University of International Business and Economics, and Professor Pengbo Li from Beijing International Studies University, as well as young scholars and student representatives from numerous universities. The opening remarks were delivered by Associate Dean Xiaoxia Huang of the School.
Keynote Sessions: Distinguished Scholars Address Frontier Trends
The keynote session, chaired by Associate Professor Kui Yin of USTB, featured three insightful presentations addressing cutting-edge developments from the perspectives of individual behavior, organizational strategy, and labor market transformation.
Associate Professor Wendong Li presented “Do Money and Time Change Who You Are?”, offering a novel perspective on how economic (income) and temporal resources dynamically shape individual personality traits in the modern era.
Professor Youqing Fan delivered a talk titled “A Theoretical Framework for Managing HRM Paradoxes under ESG Contexts,” systematically analyzing how organizations can balance tensions in human resource management amid the growing prominence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
Research Fellow Lei Zhao presented “Unstable Jobs and Stable Labor,” examining the rise of flexible employment in the digital economy and addressing the challenge of reconciling labor supply stability with flexibility, providing both insightful analysis and practical implications.
Research Presentations and Expert Commentary: Fostering Academic Innovation
The research presentation and commentary session, chaired by Associate Professor Zhipeng Zhang of USTB, provided a platform for young scholars to present their work and exchange ideas. Six doctoral and master’s students from USTB shared their ongoing research in areas such as organizational behavior and human resource management, demonstrating strong academic potential and innovative thinking.
A distinguished panel of senior scholars—including Associate Professor Wendong Li, Professor Youqing Fan, Professor Ying Lu, Professor Yuntao Dong, Professor Mingpeng Huang, Professor Wen Wu, and Professor Pengbo Li—offered detailed and constructive feedback. Many of the panelists serve as editors or reviewers for leading journals such as Acta Psychologica Sinica, Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, Journal of Business Research, and Stress and Health. While affirming the originality and enthusiasm of the young scholars, they also provided precise and insightful critiques to further refine the research. The session featured lively interactions and a vibrant academic atmosphere.
Scholars’ Dialogue: Guiding the Growth of Young Researchers
Professor Jun Liu, recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars and Associate Dean of the School of Management at Wuhan University of Technology, engaged in an in-depth dialogue with young scholars, addressing their questions on academic research and career development.
The forum also invited Professor Jian Zhang of USTB and Associate Professor Wendong Li to join the discussion. Drawing on their extensive academic experience, the panel shared valuable insights on key issues such as high-quality development of the Business Administration discipline and the cultivation of interdisciplinary management talent in the new era.
Conclusion and Outlook: Advancing High-Quality Discipline Development
The successful convening of the forum helped build consensus on the future direction of the discipline. Participants agreed that, in the face of rapid technological change and a complex economic environment, Business Administration must adhere to a development path that integrates theoretical innovation with practical application. It is essential to cultivate interdisciplinary management talent with global vision, innovative capabilities, and a strong sense of responsibility to better serve national strategic needs and industry development.
This New Year forum not only strengthened academic collaboration between USTB and peer institutions at home and abroad but also clarified the development trajectory of the Business Administration discipline at the School, injecting strong momentum into its future growth.
Looking ahead, the School of Economics and Management at USTB will continue to uphold the university motto of “Seeking Truth and Fostering Innovation,” build high-level academic exchange platforms, and promote the advancement of the discipline. In doing so, it will contribute USTB’s intellectual strength to the implementation of national strategies and the high-quality development of China’s economy and society during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
Contributed by: Department of Business Administration
Edited by: Zhang Zhipeng
Reviewed by: Jin Jiahua
