STUDY | Fast-growing businesses – not just in cities
Fast-growing companies, known as gazelles, are often associated with big cities and dense business clusters. But a new Finnish study shows that growth is more dispersed than that. Gazelles can be found all over the country – even in rural areas.
New research points the way to stronger rural areas – focus on skills, collaboration and innovation
How can Sweden’s rural areas meet the skills challenges of the future while strengthening their innovative capacity? This was the main question during a webinar on 11 November, organized by Esbri and the Kamprad Family Foundation.
NEW RESEARCH | How new industries become accepted in society
As new industries take shape, innovation is not just about technology. It is also about gaining societal acceptance. Halmstad researchers have studied how the fintech industry in Denmark became legitimate – and what it takes for new ideas to take root.
STUDY | How companies are innovating their business models to meet major societal challenges
Climate change, poverty and inequality are examples of major societal problems that require joint solutions from many actors – not least the business community. A new study shows how businesses are choosing to act in this context.
STUDY | How accelerators can help entrepreneurs manage contradictions
Being an entrepreneur means constantly balancing between contradictions. Should you stick to your idea or change direction? Grow fast or wait for the right time? Researchers have now studied one of the world’s leading accelerators that helps entrepreneurs turn conflicting demands into drivers of innovation.
NEW RESEARCH | R&D investment in small businesses creates more and better jobs
Companies that invest in research, development and new technologies not only create more jobs – but also better and more skilled jobs. This is according to new research on how business investment affects the labor market in Sweden.
BOOK TIP: Scaling up for sustainability
How do businesses grow fast – and sustainably? This handbook provides an in-depth look at scaling up and high growth, two phenomena that have long been central to economic development and innovation but are still poorly understood.
STUDY | Strategy work can change entrepreneur’s self-image
Working with strategy is not just about plans and growth targets. It also affects how entrepreneurs view themselves and their firms. This is shown by a study of entrepreneurs who participated in a university-based growth program in the UK.
MICROFINANCING | More than money is needed for women to succeed as entrepreneurs
Supporting women with microfinance and entrepreneurship training has long been seen as a fast track to gender equality and poverty reduction. But the results have often been disappointing. A new study has identified the types of support that give women greater freedom and empowerment
STUDY | Communities as entrepreneurs – from local initiatives to global movement
How can local communities create and spread opportunities for sustainable small businesses? That’s the question at the heart of a new study examining the Finnish initiative REKO – Real Consumption. Through an 11-year case study, the researchers show how ordinary people, rather than individual entrepreneurs, can drive sustainable change through self-organization and shared responsibility.