Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Europe

Description

This two-weeks' course provides you with the opportunity to explore the challenges and the solutions companies find, in adapting to the ever-changing business environment, and gain an insight into how the different business cultures in the EU influence the choices that are made. We'll explore optimization of supply chains, emergence of new business models, implementation of corporate social responsibility, focus on sustainable innovation, and creative approaches to brand identity – all (parts of) innovation strategies used by European companies to deal with their challenges and prepare for the future.

Having the capacity to adapt to an ever-changing business environment is turning out to be the single most important factor for companies to remain successful, particularly With the European Union (EU) struggling for its once crucial role in the global economy, this perhaps goes even more for European companies than for those on other continents. 

This course focuses on the value of knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship in European business and will familiarise students with the interplay between science and technology and the commercialization of knowledge and design.  There will be several speakers from industry and and we will visit some top-companies in the Netherlands. 

Building business models from an in-depth understanding of the gap between innovation and business in Europe. You will explore innovation challenges faced by European companies, gain insights into how governments and business cultures in the European Union influence innovation, and discover the traits of innovative ventures and people.

We will start with a focus on successful so-called clusters in the Netherlands. Agribusiness is one of them, and so is the Food Valley Netherlands.

Having the capacity to adapt to an ever-changing business environment is turning out to be the single most important factor for companies to remain successful. With the European Union (EU) struggling for its once crucial role in the global economy, this perhaps goes even more for European companies than for those on other continents. Incredibly tough competition -both within the EU as well as from other parts of the world-, an economic crisis that does not seem to end, and the legislative opportunities and barriers within the EU, are all factors that are challenging European companies and initiatives in remaining successful players in their field.

During the course we will also pay attention to the Supply chain. The focus here will be on production, logistics and inbound aspects.  

The rapidly changing business world also affects today’s job market and increases the need for innovative and entrepreneurial individuals. Often, this requires more than a brilliant idea or unique skill set. For the next generation of leaders this course offers the opportunity to develop the mind-set, skills, competencies and experiential learning that enable you to promote innovation either as a productive member of an emerging firm or as an entrepreneur. You will work on topics like personal values, communication, and team diversity enabling you to develop your own creativity, opportunity-seeking and opportunity-recognizing abilities.

As part of the course, you will build your own innovative business model.

The course combines a theoretical and practical approach. Interactive lectures, group assignments and company visits will help you to shape your views on what works and what doesn’t.  

NB: This course is part of the five-weeks track: Innovation in European Business . That five-week track can also be extended to six weeks by adding the Global Management Simulation programme (B47); the six-weeks track is B45 (Innovation in European Business XXL).

 

What previous students say about this course

"This is a very interesting course. If you’re looking to meet lots of new friends and a good and interactive professor with a broad perspective, it is absolutely perfect. It will give you a good and trustworthy look into (sustainable) business, innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe. However, if you are looking to be deeply challenged about ideas on how to set up a business in Europe, this isn’t the right course for you".

 

"I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the classes, the programme leader was an incredible professor and made lessons so much fun. The social programmes were great and I met a lot of wonderful people from across the globe. Every interaction taught me something new and exciting".

Day to Day Documents

DTD - B27 Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Europe.pdf

Lecturers

• Bart Toering, MSc
• Bas Delmee, MSc
• Ruud Verschuur EMP

Target audience

This course is an interesting challenge for students in Business Studies, and is also open to Bachelor and Master students from other fields. The main requirement is that students have either some background OR an interest in innovation, trends and issues in the EU. 

A good command of English is necessary! Given the interactive nature of teaching, students must have the capabilities to communicate (understand and speak) in English well!

Aim of the course

Learning Objectives:

• Analyzing mega trends
• Planning a Scenario for an idea/innovation
• Developing skills in Idea Generation
• Deconstructing a Supply Chain
• Constructing a sustainable Supply chain
• Developing knowledge on Dutch clusters, such the agribusiness
• Developing knowledge on innovation models and business models
• Final objective: build your own sustainable innovative business model: from idea to launch

Study load

The total Study load sums up to approx. 102 hours and includes: lectures, field visits, individual and group assignments (including self-study) and presentations.

Please note: You must attend all learning activities (e.g. classes, workshops, fieldwork, excursions) to be able to receive the Certificate of Participation and/or the credits for this course, unless absence is officially approved by the teachers and the coordinator of the Utrecht Summer School.

Tags

• business models
• entrepreneurship
• European business
• financing models
• innovation certificate
• innovation strategies
• scenario planning
• trends