9th International Research Symposium (Helmut-Schmidt-Universität)

»Networks in changing business ecosystems«

SYMPOSIUM THEME
Understanding how firms and other stakeholders cooperate and exploit networked resources is the
core agenda of this research symposium. Increasingly, owning resources appears to be less
relevant to contemporary organisations than having access to resourceful networks.

Businesses need to consider the interplay between local activities in regional clusters and those embedded in global value chains in turbulent times. Their various value creation activities may follow
different organisational principles – exchange modes vary between market, hierarchy and cooperative governance forms. The notion of cultivating and accessing resourceful networks thus is significant. Business activities extend beyond the focal firm and into a dynamic relational space which connects stakeholders, other firms and industry participants in changing ecosystems.

The organisers of the research symposium have the aim to bring together researchers from diverse
backgrounds to share knowledge and insights into the topic of networks in changing business
environments. Building on this interdisciplinary exchange we seek to establish a broad cooperative
research agenda about the contemporary role of businesses in an increasingly networked world.

INVITATION TO ATTEND
The symposium is primarily held in-person in Hamburg (Germany). However, we also offer the
possibility to join online. Hence, the symposium will be in a hybrid-mode.

INVITED TOPICS
We are interested in developing knowledge about the role of relational resources in a networked
environment within changing business ecosystems.
We invite papers from a wide range of multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches in the following topic areas:

Ecosystems and transformation

– Ecosystems in regenerative economies
– Sustainability-oriented strategies
– Stakeholder engagement in ecosystems
– Challenge-led innovation
– Regional resources/locational advantage
– Resilience in ecosystems, networks & value chains
– Entrepreneurship in regional networks

ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS
The symposium will be a combination of keynote
speeches, paper presentations and highly
interactive sessions. We strive for an informal set-up
and a lot of interaction. There is no fee for
participation but it is expected participants pay for
their transport, accommodation and meals during
the conference.

ORGANISING TEAM
Prof. Wenzel Matiaske, HSU, Germany
A/Prof. Susanne Gretzinger, SDU, Denmark
Prof. Susanne Royer, EUF, Germany
Prof. Kerry Brown, Edith Cowan Uni, Australia
Prof. John Burgess, Torrens University, Australia
Dr. Nils Grashof, FSU Jena, Germany
Dr. Sidsel Grimstad, Griffith University, Australia
A/Prof. Mads Bruun Ingstrup, SDU, Denmark