According to some, developing a strategy results in producing a paper report, that does not ft the nature of SMEs. They are used to adapting pragmatically to changes. However, shifts in the economy and society are now so great that neither plans nor pragmatism is suffcient to survive. Many SMEs show …

In this short paper, we give an overview on how this major trend is unfolding and, specifically, how it affects cities. We take the following starting points: • Digitalization is a strong force that “happens” everywhere in the (urban) society. It has positive and negative effects – explored later in …

In this book Silicon Valley expert Peter Ester describes how these 'schools of startup entrepreneurship' operate and how they empower startups. He interviewed over twenty Silicon Valley accelerators. They are analyzed in terms of mission, selection policy, technology focus, target groups, program features, …

Does real estate still have the value that it once had, or will the valuation of real estate change due to surprising products and services, innovative business models, different market strategies, innovative ways of organizing and managing in the (real estate) markets? Innovation revolves around good …

Hoe speelt de vierde industriële revolutie bij maakbedrijven in de regio en in hoeverre maken deze bedrijven al volop gebruik van kansen die digitalisering en robotisering bieden? Dat was de vraag bij een onderzoek bij een vijftiental maakbedrijven in onze regio door Kenniscentrum Business Innovation …

Over the last decade, the concept of a circular economy, an industrial economy that is restorative or regenerative by intention and design, has gained increased attention of policy makers, industry and academics. Recently the number of innovation projects, set up by local governments, communities, non-governmental …

In 2015, the European Commission has outlined the institution’s strategy on reaching a harmonized Digital Single Market by focusing on a set of issues, many of which are targeted towards eCommerce. However, this is a global industry which sparked new technologies, industries, services and products while …

Social media and sharing economy platforms do not only disrupt industries. They also bypass democratic institutions. That’s not without risk, because the dominant Silicon Valley based online platforms are designed to create shareholder value, not to strengthen society or democracy. Which is unfortunate, …

Over the years the industrial production was transformed by steam power in the 19th century, by electricity in the early 20th century, and by automation in the 1970s (Lorenz, et al., 2015). Today’s society is on the verge of the fourth industrial revolution, the Smart Industry. The impact of the Smart …