RESEARCH IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS

COVILHÃ, PORTUGAL, NOVEMBER 20-21, 2008

The main theme for the 22nd Annual RENT Conference is: 

Entrepreneurship as an Engine for Regional Development

Chairpersons

Prof. Dr. Poul Rind Christensen (Aarhus Business School, Denmark) and Prof. Dr. Friederike Welter (University Siegen, Germany)

The Doctoral Seminar has a successful tradition at RENT. Doctoral students are invited to present their thesis proposals at the Doctoral Seminar. The Doctoral Seminar supports students in their work in progress and also facilitates the exchange of research experiences and new ideas within the fields of entrepreneurship and small business. The ECSB Doctoral Seminar is a meeting place for new and experienced researchers from different countries. Students in early stages of their research especially are encouraged to participate.

Sessions will be organised in 4-5 tracks based on the proposals from the doctoral students. Research proposals presented will be discussed by senior researchers experienced in the specific field of the research presented.

Doctoral candidates interested in attending and presenting their research proposal (not the results of finished research) should send a two page abstract and include information on when they started their PhD study and when they expect to finish to Professor Poul Rind Christensen ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ) no later than June 1, 2008.

The number of participants is limited to 20 students so we encourage early submission. You will be notified of acceptance of your proposal no later than the 15th of June 2008.

No fee is charged for participation in the Doctoral Seminar. However, participation in the RENT Conference is compulsory. Due to sponsorship of EIASM (www.eiasm.org), ACCA (www.accaglobal.com) and IDEA (www.idea-denmark.dk), we are able to offer a reduction to the official conference fee. For participants from Central and Eastern European countries and the Baltic countries travel grants are available. Please indicate on your application whether you wish to apply for such a grant. You will receive more information once you have been accepted.

More info at

http://www.ecsb.org/doc/RENTXXII_Doctoral%20seminar_Announcement.pdf

Submissions of any aspect of entrepreneurship and small business development are welcome, but preferably concerning the following issues :

1. Entrepreneurship and Regional Development.
2. Entrepreneurship Education.
3. The role of universities in fostering entrepreneurship.
4. Spin off processes and knowledge transfer.
5. Support infrastructure for entrepreneurial ventures and business incubation.
6. Entrepreneurial Process: From Creation to Growth.
7. Entrepreneurial Finance and Venture Capital.
8. Innovation and Technological Entrepreneurship.
9. Corporate entrepreneurship / intrapreneurship.
10. Technology Commercialisation and its impact on entrepreneurial activities.
11. Globalisation and SMEs.
12. Family firms.
13. International Entrepreneurship.
14. Networks and Entrepreneurship.
15. Social Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility.
16. Green Entrepreneurship.
17. Historical and Cultural ‘Milieu’ and Entrepreneurial Culture.
18. Entrepreneurship and Regional Open Innovation Systems.
19. Entrepreneurship and special interest groups (women, ethnic minorities, …).
20. Regulation and Entrepreneurship.