Farmers’ innovation power captured in new research project


There is a great spirit of innovation in the agricultural industry that needs to be harnessed to enable farmers to meet the challenges of the future. Educational researchers in the Norrland hub are driving this development. – Through lifelong learning we develop and shape the society we live in. “Sustainable food production is central to […]
NEW DOCTORAL THESIS | How Stenbeck managed to deregulate the telecom market


In the 1980s, Jan Stenbeck and his Comvik broke up Televerket’s monopoly on the Swedish telecoms market. How did he succeed? A new thesis explores the role of entrepreneurship in institutional change. Veteran Televerket had enjoyed a monopoly since the 19th century. It was an authority and an established player with sole access to the […]
How differently small businesses have been affected by the pandemic


The smallest companies have been affected by and dealt with the coronavirus pandemic in very different ways. Researchers at Luleå University of Technology have found three different types. Gym owners, actors, engineers, cheese makers, web developers, tourism entrepreneurs, hairdressers, advertisers and PR people. Yes, micro and small business owners are different. For many, the last […]
Innovation in municipalities – how it works


Is it even possible to work with innovation in a bureaucratic, rule-driven municipality? Yes, but in a different way than in the private sector, says Chelsey Jo Huisman, who is following Kiruna municipality’s innovation work during the urban transformation. Creativity and experimentation are at the heart of an innovation process. This may seem impossible to […]
NEW DEAL | Contractor at the municipality challenges the bureaucrat


Entrepreneurial skills are sought after in public organizations today. But entrepreneurs risk jeopardizing fundamental democratic values. Public organizations are often associated with bureaucracy and top-down management. Ideals that originally come from big business. But over the past 20 years, a more entrepreneurial management logic has taken hold and now dominates parts of our municipal and […]
NEW RESEARCH | How to get more intrapreneurs in your company


The dream for entrepreneurs is to have creative employees who contribute to a competitive business. But how do you create a business environment to foster it? New research provides clues along the way. Intrapreneur is a relatively new concept and is a term for creative and innovative employees. Those who, with their skills, drive and […]
Silicon Valley vs Berlin: Big differences in how you network


In Silicon Valley, your yoga instructor could be a link to an investor. In Berlin, it’s unthinkable. A new study shows that the path to networking success looks different depending on where you are in the world. – In Silicon Valley, the entrepreneurs we interviewed see every person they meet as a potential link to […]
Working together to solve challenges in the green industries


Cooperation and value creation are needed to make green industries as attractive as possible. But what do we do? This was recently discussed during a workshop for teachers and principals at Sweden’s agricultural colleges. The workshop was organized by ESBRI together with the National Agency for Education. Green industries are extremely important, not least because […]
Internal conflicts destroy innovation partnerships


When one company collaborates with another, it is common for internal conflicts to arise that risk disrupting an important innovation process. But there are ways to counteract these conflicts. Digital developments are moving fast and it is difficult for businesses to keep up with all technology fronts. As a result, companies are dependent on others […]
Hello Sarah Fitz-Koch, PhD student at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences!


Find the passion and do something meaningful. Then you succeed as a farmer and entrepreneur,” says Sarah Fitz-Koch, a researcher on identity formation. Tell me – how do farmers’ identities affect their entrepreneurship? – In general, agricultural entrepreneurs are no different from other entrepreneurs. There are many different types in each industry. It is only […]