The purpose of the SIG Entrepreneurship is to develop an ongoing and constructive dialogue among entrepreneurship scholars to conduct research that is relevant for entrepreneurship theory and practice in the contemporary world. The SIG Entrepreneurship aims at promoting research and networking interests in individual and collaborative forms of entrepreneurship by providing a wide-ranging, engaged and internationally focused forum to discuss and develop research and practice in the field. We put a distinct focus on the key European feature – ‘context matters’ – why we try in all activities to promote and stimulate what ‘European’ might mean in any given context and any approach of entrepreneurship research.
SIG OFFICERS (2025-2026):
SIG Chair, Damiano Petrolo (Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale) damiano.petrolo@uniupo.it
SIG Programme Chair, Leonie Baldacchino (The Edward de Bono Institute, University of Malta) leonie.baldacchino@um.edu.mt
Paper Development Workshops Officers:
Laëtitia Gabay Mariani (Kedge Business School) laetitia.gabaymariani@kedgebs.com
Francesca Sanguineti (Università degli Studi di Pavia, Italy) francesca.sanguineti@unipv.it
Sara Sassetti (University of Pisa) sara.sassetti@unipi.it
Benedikt Unger (Free University of Bozen-Bolzano) benedikt.Unger@student.unibz.it
Communication Officers:
Alessia Munnia (Università di Catania, Italy) alessia.munnia@phd.unict.it
Francesco Russo (Università di Catania, Italy) francesco.russo@phd.unict.it
Past Chair, Diego Matricano (Università degli Studi della Campania, Italy) diego.matricano@unicampania.it
Past Chair, Luca Gnan (University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy) luca.gnan@uniroma2.it
Past Chair, Marzena Starnawska (University of Warsaw, Poland) mstarnawska@wz.uw.edu.pl
Past Chair, Matthias Raith (Otto-von-Guericke University, Germany) raith@ovgu.de
Past Chair, Massimiliano M. Pellegrini (University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy) dr.massimiliano.pellegrini@gmail.com
Past Chair, Lucrezia Songini (Eastern Piedmont University, Italy) lucrezia.songini@uniupo.it
Past Chair and Entrepreneurship SIG Founder, Hans Lundberg (Linnaeus University, Sweden) hans.lundberg@lnu.se
ENTREPRENEURSHIP SIG STANDING TRACKS
GT03_00 – Entrepreneurship General Track
Short description:
The SIG Entrepreneurship General Track aims to develop an ongoing and constructive dialogue among entrepreneurship scholars to conduct research that is relevant for entrepreneurship theory and practice in the contemporary world. This general track is intended to capture new and emerging research areas within as well as classical areas of study of entrepreneurship. In line with our mission – methodological, theoretical and empirical pluralism in entrepreneurship research – we welcome contributions from all areas related to entrepreneurship that are not explicitly covered by the other tracks sponsored by the SIG.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people; Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities; Goal 13: Climate action; Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
For more information contact:
Damiano Petrolo, University of Eastern Piedmont – damiano.petrolo@uniupo.it
ST03_01 / ST06_01/ST13_01 – Business Model – Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurial Venturing (co-sponsored ENT / INNO / SM SIGs)
Short description:
The business model topic attracts continued interest in business research and practice, spanning the fields of strategy (Leppänen et al., 2023; Casadesus-Masanell and Ricart, 2010), innovation (Spieth et al., 2023; Foss & Saebi, 2017) and entrepreneurship (Snihur and Zott, 2020). While business models are conceptualized as boundary-spanning activity systems encompassing value creation, value capture, and value delivery activities (Teece 2018; Snihur and Zott 2020), business model innovation describes “designed, novel, nontrivial changes to the key elements of a firm’s business model and/or the architecture linking these elements” (Foss and Saebi 2017).
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities; Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
For more information contact:
Sascha Klein, University of Vechta – sascha.klein@uni-vechta.de
ST03_02 – Digital Technologies and Entrepreneurship Processes: From Innovation to Market
Short description:
From AI and blockchain to data platforms and virtual collaboration tools, digital technologies continue to impact and reshape entrepreneurship processes. They influence how individuals identify opportunities, mobilize resources, and scale innovations to markets. This track invites contributions that bridge classical process perspectives with emerging insights into digital transformation, platform-based business models, and technology-enabled entrepreneurial activity. We particularly welcome work that advances theoretical development or provides novel empirical insights into how digitalization is redefining the fluxes, flows, and trajectories of entrepreneurial processes.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
For more information contact:
Diego Matricano, Department of Management, Università degli Studi della Campania – diego.matricano@unicampania.it
ST03_03 – Entrepreneurial Cognition and Behaviour
Short description:
The success and longevity of entrepreneurial ventures depend on effective intra- and inter-organisational cognition and behaviour. Entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, guided by their emotions, values, beliefs, and cognitive processes, shape their organisations and supporting systems. These in turn govern future decisions and outcomes, often occurring under uncertainty. Scholarly studies on various facets of entrepreneurial cognition and behaviour – including intuition, rationality, cognitive versatility, opportunity identification-exploitation, imagination, prospection/futures-thinking, creativity, trust, negotiation, conflict management, perspicacity, metacognition, and neurodivergence – offer extensive opportunities for advancement. This track invites pioneering research (conceptual and empirical) that advances the understudied aspects of entrepreneurial cognition and behaviour.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities
For more information contact:
Leonie Baldacchino, The Edward de Bono Institute, University of Malta – leonie.baldacchino@um.edu.mt
ST03_04 – Entrepreneurial Finance
Short description:
Entrepreneurial companies are vital to economic development, yet they frequently face financial constraints that impede their growth and survival. Recent advancements in digital technologies, including crowdfunding, artificial intelligence (AI), as well as venture capital (VC) dynamics, have transformed how these firms set objectives through the acquisition of financial resources, connect with potential investors, shape decision-making processes and, therefore, how entrepreneurs achieve purpose. Additionally, factors such as the evolving use of workspace at home and in the offices, especially post-COVID-19, have significantly affected startup organization and productivity, further influencing their funding patterns.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities; Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
For more information contact:
Francesca Tenca, University of Eastern Piedmont, Department of Business and Economics – francesca.tenca@uniupo.it
ST03_05 – Entrepreneurship, Regions & Regional Development
Short description:
The main power of regional contexts is their ability to incubate a high level of entrepreneurial activities, build entrepreneurial ecosystems, greater engagement with the global networks of production, employment, and creation of first-class thinkers, researchers, educators and entrepreneurs, so to increase the quality of the society and the economy. The following broad set of topics will be considered: To what extent do EU goals impact regional development? How do innovation and entrepreneurial behaviours evolve and diffuse over hierarchical social networks in private and public organizations? What are the results of SMART integration, coopetition and networks?
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities; Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities; Goal 13: Climate action; Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
For more information contact:
Marina Dabic, University of Ljubljana , School of Economics and Business – mdabic@net.efzg.hr
ST03_06 – Social and Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Short description:
This year’s EURAM general theme, “Navigating High Waters–Managing in an Age of Disruption,” highlights the challenges organizations face in turbulent times. Disruptions–economic, technological, social, or environmental–demand resilience, adaptability, and innovation from entrepreneurs and their support systems. For social and sustainable entrepreneurship, navigating disruption means coping with uncertainty while seizing opportunities to reimagine futures, reinforce values, and foster positive change. Our track explores how entrepreneurs and organizations withstand shocks, adapt to evolving environments, and create resilient pathways for social impact. We welcome conceptual and empirical papers offering diverse perspectives and support scholars at all career stages in advancing this conversation.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 1: No poverty; Goal 2: Zero hunger; Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people; Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation; Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities; Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities; Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production; Goal 13: Climate action; Goal 14: Life below water; Goal 15: Life on land; Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
For more information contact:
Nicole Siebold, Aarhus University – nicole.siebold@mgmt.au.dk
ST03_07 – Growth Strategies & Internationalization for SMEs
Short description:
SMEs growth strategies are characterized not only by complex paths of internationalization, but also – increasingly – by digitalization and sustainability. Furthermore, SMEs are often part of international value chains and are therefore exposed to repeated shocks in the environment which challenge their survivability and resilience. Management scholars are invited to provide new perspectives on international entrepreneurial strategies of SMEs, their challenges and evolving business models (also in terms of digital transformation and sustainability), their relation – inter alia – to countries of destination, timing and entry mode, managerial tools, organizational structure, type and quality of acquired knowledge, learning processes.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production; Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
For more information contact:
Lara Penco, University of Genoa – lara.penco@economia.unige.it
ENTREPRENEURSHIP SIG TRACKS
T03_08 – Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
This track explores the evolving field of entrepreneurial ecosystems, emphasizing their contextual, multi-actor, and processual nature. As interest from scholars, policymakers, and practitioners grows, critical gaps remain in understanding how ecosystems emerge, evolve, and sustain entrepreneurship across diverse geographies and industries. We invite contributions that unpack the dynamics, governance, and legitimacy of ecosystems, examine their socio-economic impacts (e.g., gender, ethnicity, sustainability), and propose innovative frameworks or methodologies. By addressing the complexity and heterogeneity of ecosystems, this track aims to advance theory, support policy, and develop the design of inclusive and resilient entrepreneurial environments worldwide.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities; Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Primary Contact:
Christina Theodoraki, christina.theodoraki@iae-aix.com
T03_09 – Entrepreneurial Profiles
Modern entrepreneurship reflects a variety of identities, experiences, and contexts from which new entrepreneurs emerge. The increasing prominence of different profiles in the entrepreneurial landscape, the rise of ventures based on collective efforts, and the inclusion of historically underrepresented groups means that entrepreneurship needs new lenses. This track encourages research that explores how various factors such as gender, ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic status, and cultural background influence entrepreneurship as a whole. Specifically, the track “Entrepreneurial profiles” welcomes contributions related to the following issues: female entrepreneurship; migrant entrepreneurship; inclusivity and entrepreneurship.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 5: Gender equality
Primary Contact:
Michela Mari, michela.mari@uniroma2.it
T03_10 – Academic Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship Education
Universities are key agents in the promotion of entrepreneurship. The “third mission ” emphasizes their role in fostering the economic and social development. This is based on the alignment of teaching and research with a structure related to the real economic world and a dynamic combination of the traditional academic mission with entrepreneurial vocation. Over time, the issue has garnered increasing attention from authors, who have looked at it through diverse research perspectives and with distinct aims.
This proposal invites researchers to investigate new relationships among key constructs and contribute to theory by means of exploratory and explanatory methodological approaches.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Primary Contact:
Laura Castaldi, laura.castaldi@unicampania.it
T03_11 – Designing Futures: Life Design, Positive Psychology, and Entrepreneurial Action for Flourishing, Well-Being & Societal Impact
This track invites contributions that explore how Life Design, in combination with Positive Psychology, Career Construction Theory, Effectuation and Systems Thinking—can empower individuals and communities to navigate transitions, foster well-being, and address grand societal challenges. We welcome research and practical contributions that investigate how design-based methods, reflective practices, and psychological capital development can help individuals build meaningful, resilient, and purpose-driven futures.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people; Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Primary Contact:
Karina Cagarman, karina.cagarman@tu-berlin.de
T03_12 – Women Entrepreneurs in Times of Disruption: Adapting, Resisting, and Reimagining
This topic explores how women entrepreneurs navigate turbulent environments shaped by digital transitions, institutional disruptions, and socio-cultural inequalities. It focuses on strategies of resilience, innovation, and care, particularly in underexplored contexts such as family firms, student entrepreneurship, and socially engaged ventures. The session seeks to highlight how women contest structural constraints, adapt to uncertainty, and reconfigure entrepreneurial norms through alternative practices. Drawing on feminist and intersectional perspectives, we invite contributions that examine the gendered nature of disruption, legitimacy-building processes, and inclusive forms of business creation that challenge traditional growth logics and emphasize purpose, sustainability, and community engagement.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities
Primary Contact:
Mathieu Dunes, mathieu.dunes@u-picardie.fr
T03_13 – Entrepreneurship as a Cross-Disciplinary Lens
Over the past four decades, entrepreneurship has evolved into a robust academic field, marked by its openness to external influences and its capacity to absorb and adapt theories, paradigms, and methodologies from other domains. In today’s world of global challenges, interdisciplinary approaches are essential to understanding entrepreneurial behaviour and generating impactful solutions (Thurik et al., 2024; Batista-Canino et al., 2024; Matricano, 2023; Kuratko and Covin, 2025). This track invites contributions that explore entrepreneurship through multidisciplinary lenses, to enrich theory and practice, encouraging submissions that reflect critically on how cross-disciplinary inquiry shapes entrepreneurship’s evolving role in society and research.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Primary Contact:
Mariacarmela Passarelli, mariacarmela.passarelli@unical.it
T03_14 – Early-stage entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial support organizations
Early-stage entrepreneurship is about how new ideas emerge and develop into new ventures. Entrepreneurial support organizations—such as incubators, accelerators, and venture studios—are pivotal actors here. We invite theoretical, empirical, and conceptual studies of the roles, effectiveness and evolution of (the interaction between) entrepreneurs, support organizations and other key actors. We also invite studies adopting a design science approach. Topic sessions will consist of 10-minute paper presentations followed by two short rounds of 4-minutes of developmental feedback by discussants. The topic is relevant to scholars in entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial ecosystems, innovation ecosystems, organization design and digital transformation.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Primary Contact:
Georges Romme, sjoerdromme@gmail.com
T03_15 – Entrepreneurship and Creativity in Times of Disruption: Navigating Transformations in the Creative Economy
This track explores how creative entrepreneurship enables resilience and transformation in the face of disruption. Positioned at the intersection of cultural, economic, and social value creation, creative industries offer adaptive responses to challenges like climate change, digitalization, and social fragmentation. We welcome contributions on topics such as cross-sector partnerships, business model innovation, arts-based methods, and emerging funding models in the arts and cultural and creative industries. The track invites diverse perspectives on how creativity can be leveraged not just to survive disruption, but to shape more inclusive, sustainable, and agile futures across public, private, and civic domains.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities; Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production; Goal 13: Climate action; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Primary Contact:
Ellen Loots, loots@eshcc.eur.nl
T03_16 – Macro-preneurship and the Entrepreneurial State: Global Models of Policy-driven Economic Transformation
This track investigates macro-preneurship, positioning the state as an entrepreneurial actor that launches policy-led ventures and drives the transition toward knowledge-based, innovation-driven economies. Examples include, India’s Make in India, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and Germany’s Industrie 4.0, where governments lead and instigate transformation in sectors such as tourism, logistics, education, and energy. The track invites conceptual and empirical work that explores globally transferable models of entrepreneurial states and their impact across public and private sectors. This includes growing attention to green transformation, as many of these national strategies invest in environmental innovation and sustainable infrastructure.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 1: No poverty; Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people; Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Primary Contact:
Bassem Nasri , Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd University, bnasri@pmu.edu.sa