Strategic Management in Latin America (SMLA 2026)
December 3–4, 2026
Hosted by Universidad de los Andes School of Management
Submission Deadline: August 26, 2026
Decision Notification: September 28, 2026
Theme: Entrepreneurship and Institutions: Strategic Management of High-Impact Ventures and Ecosystems in Latin America
The SMLA 2026 conference invites research exploring the relationship between strategic management and the institutional foundations of Latin American entrepreneurial ecosystems (LAEEs). The conference seeks rigorous scholarship examining how ecosystem elements — including financial capital, human capital, cultural norms, and public policy frameworks — shape the emergence of high-impact entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices across the region.
A central focus of the conference is strategic decision-making within high-growth ventures, including independent startups and corporate ventures, as they pursue opportunities for rapid expansion. We welcome research examining how firms navigate volatile market conditions, institutional voids, and uncertainty, while also influencing and reshaping the ecosystems in which they operate.
The conference provides a strong regional context for understanding the evolution of entrepreneurial ecosystems within the Global South. In particular, it encourages research on how strategic resilience is developed over time in emerging and rapidly changing environments.
SMLA 2026 is especially interested in context-specific research on ecosystem dynamics, entrepreneurial outcomes, and measurement approaches. Topics of interest include:
- Social networks and ecosystem interactions
- Accelerators, incubators, and support organizations originating from the Global South
- Entrepreneurship policy and ecosystem development
- Measuring entrepreneurial impact in contexts characterized by inequality and rapid digitalization
- Comparative methodologies and metrics for ecosystem evaluation
- Strategies that support sustainable development and aggregate welfare
The conference welcomes submissions that advance theory, methodology, and practical insight relevant to scholars, practitioners, and policymakers interested in entrepreneurship and strategic management in Latin America and beyond.
More details here.