Sustainability

From different perspectives, we study the major societal challenges facing society in the areas of energy and the environment, resource depletion, biodiversity loss and social inequality . We examine how business has dealt with these problems in the past and what contributions entrepreneurs and companies can be expected to make to future solutions on that basis.

Our research is related to Utrecht University’s Pathways to Sustainability research theme, and Prof. Johan Schot’s Deep Transitions projects that connect to the IoS platform Longtermism.

Globalization

In the debate on globalization and de-globalization, we seek to connect with research on the role and significance of (multinational) business in, among other things, international relations and the creation of markets, the operation of global value chains, the division between Global North and Global South, the impact of (de-)colonization on business in different parts of the world, and the transnational relationships in which business participates.

Among other things, our researchers are involved in the STONEM project.

Entrepreneurship

We do not only pay attention to ‘big business’, but also examine how entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized enterprises have met the challenges of economic, environmental and social change. Themes such as family business, innovation, financing, governance, gender and diversity are closely linked to this.

Our research interests include SME and female entrepreneurship. We are affiliated with the IoS platforms Bottom-up Initiatives for Societal Change and Markets and Corporations.