The Global Sales Science Institute (GSSI) invites scholars, educators, and practitioners to submit full papers and structured abstracts for the 2026 GSSI Conference, to be held on June 3–5, 2026 in Ancona, Italy.
"The Future of Sales: Attracting, Retaining, and Exploring"
Sales organizations worldwide are undergoing a profound transformation. Advances in technology, evolving buyer expectations, hybrid work environments, and talent shortages are reshaping how sales functions create value. The 2026 conference seeks to address three fundamental questions:
1
How do we attract the next generation of sales professionals?
2
How do we retain and support talent in a competitive, burnout-prone environment?
3
How do we explore new models, technologies, and paradigms that will shape the future of sales?
Topics of Interest
Submissions are welcome in (but not limited to) the following areas:
Recruiting and developing the next generation of sales talent
Salesperson retention, motivation, and well-being
Exploring boundary-spanning sales roles and cross-functional collaboration
AI and technology’s role in shaping future sales strategies and influencing buyer-seller relationships
Innovative sales training and education methods
Hybrid and remote sales team management
Sales enablement and the future of CRM and data analytics
Gender, diversity, and inclusion in sales careers
Buyer-seller relationship evolution in an omnichannel world
Sustainability and ethics in modern sales practice
Navigating cross-cultural challenges and opportunities in global sales
Adapting strategies for diverse buyer expectations
Paper Types Welcome
Both empirical and theoretical papers are welcome.
Review Process
A double-blind review process will be used.
Awards
Awards will be presented for the best empirical, theoretical, and doctoral student papers.
JPSSM Special Issue
Proposals submitted for consideration for the JPSSM Special Issue: “Global Perspectives in Sales: Advancing Theory and Practice Across Borders” will be submitted through the official JPSSM website.
Authors with accepted proposals will have the opportunity to present their work and receive constructive feedback during a dedicated session at the GSSI 2026 Conference.
Submission Guidelines
Important Deadline
Please submit your work by January 15th, 2026.
January 15th, 2026: Paper submission
April 15th, 2026: Final formatted version of the paper