In IPSERA 2026, Less is More is not just a theme — it is a call to action.

In an era of growing uncertainty, purchasing and supply management is under increasing pressure to become more sustainable and resilient. With increasing resource scarcity, climate change and geopolitical instability, we need to shift towards doing more with less and simplify complexity to make a positive impact.
We invite scholars and practitioners to rethink purchasing and supply management approaches and discuss themes including but not limited to:

• Procurement strategies to adapt to increasing scarcity of resources, raw materials, energy, and water
• The role of reorganizing global chains and local sourcing in reducing risk and enhancing sustainability
• Circular sourcing in moving from linear system to regenerative and closed-loop system
• The trade-offs between efficiency and redundancy in resilient purchasing and supply management
  
• The role of supplier collaboration in securing access to critical resources
• Supply chain simplification as a strategy to reduce exposure to scarce and volatile resources
• The competencies needed to lead purchasing and supply management in an era of uncertainty
• Use of AI and digital tools in sustainability measurement, development and decision-making

 
The past years have shown a multitude of hidden risk in purchasing and supply management and the vulnerability of our supply systems to disruptions, uncertainty, and crises. IPSERA 2026 will provide a platform to discuss how "Less is more" thinking can build sustainability and resilience.

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