Interdisciplinary Education as a Catalyst for Sustainable Innovation in Management: A Conceptual Perspective in the Context of NEP 2020

In an era characterised by rapid technological advancements and complex global challenges, interdisciplinary education has emerged as a transformative approach in management studies. This conceptual paper explores the role of interdisciplinary learning in fostering sustainable innovation within management education. Drawing upon recent literature (2020–2025), the study critically examines how the integration of diverse knowledge domains, supported by digital technologies and active pedagogical practices, enhances managerial competencies. The paper is grounded in multiple theoretical perspectives, including Human Capital Theory, the Resource-Based View (RBV), Knowledge-Based View (KBV), and Experiential Learning Theory. It highlights that interdisciplinary education promotes critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and sustainability-oriented decision-making. Despite its advantages, challenges such as institutional rigidity, inadequate faculty preparedness, and technological disparities continue to hinder its effective implementation. The paper contributes to the management literature by offering a comprehensive conceptual understanding of interdisciplinary education as a strategic driver of innovation and sustainability in management education.