International Council for Small Business (ICSB)

🎉 A huge congratulations to Marc Gruber for winning the prestigious ICSB 2024 Entrepreneurial Educator Excellence Award! 🏆 Marc exemplifies the very best in entrepreneurial education, and this recognition is a testament to his incredible contributions. Marc's approach to teaching is genuinely innovative, focusing on creativity and human-centered learning. He actively introduces new, forward-thinking methods that inspire students to think outside the box and embrace novel ideas. The measurable impact of his teaching is evident, with data showing significant enhancements in student learning experiences. His influence extends beyond the classroom, shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators who continue to apply his lessons long after the course ends. What's truly remarkable about Marc's work is its replicability. His pedagogy and philosophy can be shared and adapted globally, making him a unicorn and a beacon for educators worldwide. His methods can be taught to others, spreading his impact far and wide across the global entrepreneurship community. We're incredibly proud of Marc and his lasting legacy in entrepreneurship education. 🌍👏 Ayman El Tarabishy Katia Passerini Jeffrey Alves

📢 A momentous occasion in Chicago today as the largest-ever gathering of Editors for ICSB's Journal of Small Business Management (JSBM) took place, marking a significant milestone in the journal's history. We came together to celebrate JSBM's remarkable accomplishments. Dr. Eric Liguori, Co-Editor of JSBM, started the meeting by highlighting JSBM's recent accomplishments and amazing growth over the past four years. Ayman El Tarabishy, Editor-in-Chief, acknowledged Dr. Liguori for his outstanding leadership of JSBM. The attending JSBM editors applauded him for his exceptional contributions and stellar work. Dr. Tarabishy also commended Katia Passerini, Co-Editor of JSBM, for her strong JSBM leadership and valuable strategic insights. During this historic meeting, editors engaged in vibrant discussions, reflecting on the journal's past successes and innovative strides. The conversation was not just about looking back but also about charting the course for the future. We explored some exciting new ideas and initiatives that will further enhance the journal's influence and contribution to the global small business community. JSBM will continue to lead the way in cutting-edge research, thought leadership, and practical insights for entrepreneurs, small business managers, and researchers worldwide. This meeting marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for JSBM, and we can't wait to share what's coming next! Thanks to the Taylor & Francis Group for their exceptional partnership, and special recognition goes to Michelle Rynkewicz for her extraordinary support of ICSBs' JSBM and JICSB Journal. JSBM Editors Attending the Meeting: Mujtaba Ahsan, San Diego State University, USA Daniel Clark, Ivey Business School, Western University, Canada Silvia Fernandes Costa, University of Groningen, Netherlands Norris Krueger, PhD, Professor, USA Laura Marler, Mississippi State University, USA Diego Matricano, University of Campania, Italy Benjamin D. McLarty, Ph.D., Louisiana Tech University, USA Annaleena Parhankangas, Iowa State University, USA Susana Correia Santos, Florida State University, USA Christina Theodoraki, Toulouse Business School, France James Vardaman, University of Memphis, USA Martie-Louise Verreynne, University of Queensland, Australia To see the complete list of JSBM Editors: https://lnkd.in/eTteHN2F #ICSB #JSBM #SmallBusiness #Leadership #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Research #FutureOfBusiness

🌟 A Remarkable Gathering of ICSB Members and Dynamic Leaders! 🌟 I am thrilled to share that the recent session titled "Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem Communities: Purpose, Policies, Profession, Publication" was nothing short of extraordinary! This impeccably organized event provided a dynamic platform for in-depth discussions on the 2024 Academy of Management theme: "Innovating for the Future: Policy, Purpose, and Organizations." The session was designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue among stakeholders—policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs, civil society, and ecosystem agents—all critical to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship. A special shoutout to Norris Kruegger, who was recognized as an esteemed board member of ICSB. His leadership and vision continue to inspire us all. Additionally, it was an honor to see Maribel Guerrero, Associate Editor of the Journal of Small Business Management (JSBM), and Christina Theodoraki, an Associate Editor of JSBM, contribute their expertise and insights. Their dedication to advancing the field is truly commendable. This session was a testament to the collaborative spirit and innovative thinking that define the ICSB community. The dynamic discussions and shared knowledge underscored the strength and vitality of our network. Here’s to continued collaboration and the exciting developments ahead in research and entrepreneurship! Norris Krueger, PhD Christina Theodoraki Maribel Guerrero Ayman El Tarabishy #ICSB #Leadership #ResearchExcellence #JSBM #Innovation #Collaboration #Entrepreneurship #CommunityBuilding

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MSMEs are crucial for a #JustTransition towards circular economies. They don’t just matter, they drive it. At the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) Green Industry Summer School in #Vienna, policymakers, industry leaders and experts gathered to understand the real-world challenges that #MSMEs face in transitioning towards #sustainability, with insights and country examples from two women #entrepreneurs from #Liberia and #Mozambique. The session focused on policies to support #circular businesses, #productivityecosystems and advance #green and #decentjobs for a #justtransition. 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ddskMy4D Excellent collaboration by all! Marlen de la Chaux Tahmina Mahmud Casper Nicholas Edmonds UNIDO UNIDO Brussels Office SME Productivity & Decent Work

ICSB 2024 World Congress Award: Best Experiences - GERMANY Title: Empowering K-12 Pupils: Fostering Problem-Solving Skills Through Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Computational Thinking­­ Author:  Anette Bentz, Claudia Wiepcke, Bernhard Standl and Jonas Krasowski Winning Abstract: Preparing today's pupils for a rapidly changing world with multiple challenges requires thoughtful methods. In this context, the intersection of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and digital technologies has emerged as a critical factor for innovation and addressing global challenges. Thus, we strengthen cross-cutting problem-solving skills and subject-specific knowledge to empower pupils to identify solutions in an increasingly complex world. Considering the problem-solving skills, a combination of design, entrepreneurial, and computational thinking is applied, which are well documented in related research. To further enhance those approaches and visualize the thought processes, we used a problem-solving canvas we defined, which inspired the business model canvas. Considering subject-specific knowledge, the project focuses on integrating sustainability, entrepreneurship, and informatics, key resources in the literature. Methodological, project-based hackathons are chosen, as project-based learning is described to correlate positively with more sustainable and engaging learning. Hackathons challenge pupils to critically analyze sustainability issues and develop a digital solution through design, entrepreneurial, and computational thinking. The hackathon concludes with a pitch session where pupils present their approach and smartphone app to a jury. 

ICSB and OECD Workshop: Understanding Start-Up Exits: A Pathway to Future Success This workshop, organized by the OECD and the ICSB, addresses these issues by focusing on two distinct types of exits. At one end of the scale, there are rapid-growth scale-ups, or blockbuster entrepreneurs, characterized by the sale of the business by the founder. The exiting entrepreneur can then re-use their experience, networks, and capital as serial entrepreneurs, investors, or mentors in new ventures. Various policies can encourage such recycling, including taxation regimes or matchmaking with new entrepreneurs, investor groups, or other ecosystem actors. At the other end of the scale, there are standard entrepreneurs whose businesses close but may be successful in subsequent entrepreneurial projects. Here, policy can assist in various ways, such as with early intervention or insolvency regimes that help manage the exit in an orderly and timely way and by offering business advice and finance for restart. Speakers and Contributors: – Ayman El Tarabishy, President & CEO, ICSB, USA – Jonathan Potter, Head of Entrepreneurship Policy and Analysis Unit, CFE, OECD – Roberto Crotti, Policy Analyst, Entrepreneurship Policy and Analysis Unit, CFE, OECD – Ross Brown, Professor, University of St Andrews, UK – Anna Jenkins, Senior Lecturer, University of Queensland, Australia – Jonathan Levie, Professor, University of Galway, Ireland – Winslow Sargeant, Immediate Past Chair, ICSB, USA Read more at: https://lnkd.in/ebq5qw8D Ayman El Tarabishy Winslow Sargeant, Ph.D. OECD - OCDE

ICSB 2024 World Congress Award: Best Paper: Title: Are Ecosystem Builders Old Wine in New Bottles… or Something Very Different? Toward a Rigorous Research Agenda. Author:  Norris Krueger,  Norris Krueger, PhD is a Scholar, Speaker, Writer, Educator, and ... Agent Provocateur! Winning Paper Abstract: In 2017, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation formally identified ecosystem building, a model of entrepreneurial support that did not rely on top-down support entities and bureaucratic logic but on grassroots, bottom-up network-based logic. Kauffman sought to formalize this ecosystem-building model as a profession driven by ecosystem builders. While they did not use the term, the heart of this model is the liaison-animateur, a super-connector who is professional, unselfish, and proactive. However, are ecosystem building (and builders) differentiated from traditional economic developers? We propose an ambitious research agenda to explore these and related questions. Norris Krueger, PhD Ayman El Tarabishy Jeffrey Alves

ICSB World Congress Best Entrepreneurship Graduate Program Award Winner: HEG - School of Management Fribourg, Switzerland About the Winner: The HEG - School of Management Fribourg, Switzerland VIA (Ventures in Action) program emphasizes experiential learning by pushing students to engage directly with the market. Recognizing that traditional business plans have evolved, VIA encourages students to prioritize adaptability, customer feedback, and real-world testing. The program's structure includes seed financing, a focus on team collaboration, and a requirement for students to launch their products or services within nine months. This approach ensures that participants gain practical entrepreneurial experience, learning to negotiate, sell, and adapt swiftly to market needs.   One of the key principles highlighted in the VIA program is the importance of addressing actual market needs. Startups often fail when there is no market demand for their products. Therefore, VIA stresses understanding customer requirements and achieving product-market fit. The program aims to prepare students for real-world challenges by fostering skills such as observation, listening, and a solution-driven mindset, all essential for effectively identifying and fulfilling market gaps.   The VIA program also aligns its projects with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that every business idea addresses at least one global challenge. This alignment underscores the program's commitment to fostering entrepreneurial skills and contributing positively to society. With over CHF 110K in sales, the launch of 70 new products or services, and engagement with approximately 3400 customers, VIA demonstrates significant impact and success, illustrating the effectiveness of its hands-on, market-focused approach. About Lead Advocate: Raphaël Gaudart, Head of MSc BA, major in Entrepreneurship Raphaël Gaudart is an Associate Professor, leads the Master of Science in Business Administration, Major in Entrepreneurship program, and is a Management Board member at the School of Management Fribourg (a member of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland [HES-SO]). He teaches undergraduates & graduates within his research interests around Entrepreneurship (especially Youth), Innovation, Strategy, and Lean Start-Ups. Raphaël graduated with an MSc BA in Entrepreneurship; he holds an MIT Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation and has 10+ years of industry experience in various companies, from start-ups to international ones. ICSB wants to thank the global judges as well. Ayman El Tarabishy Baldegger Rico Haute école de gestion Arc Winslow Sargeant, Ph.D.

ICSB 2024 World Congress Award: Best Paper: Entrepreneurship & Covid-19 Impact Category - France Title: Commitment to Corporate Social Entrepreneurship in the Context of a Health Crisis: The Case of the Scientist-Entrepreneur Couple Who Founded BioNTech. Author:  Franck Duquesnois and Redouane Karar Lead Author Spotlight Franck Duquesnois Franck Duquesnois holds a PhD in Management Sciences from the University of Montpellier in FRANCE and is a lecturer at the University of Bordeaux, where he is a member of the Entrepreneurship team at the IRGO (Institut de Recherche en Gestion des Organisations) and the ECOr research department. His research focuses on strategy, entrepreneurship, and business models. He has published on the African continent (6 book chapters, 2 articles) and in crisis situations. As such, he has been invited to present his work in research laboratories in France and abroad, at international conferences (AFEA, AIMS, ASA, ICBM, TGSW, EGOS), and more recently for his research identifying dynamics in crisis contexts. He is also an active Association Francophone de Management International (Atlas-AFMI) member, having organised its conference in Bordeaux in 2023.   Winning Paper Abstract: If Corporate Social Responsibility calls for a virtuous process in which health for all becomes egalitarian, ethical and equitable, the health crisis (Covid-19) revealed certain limitations to this process. Our research aims to identify the limitations that can hinder Corporate Social Entrepreneurship's commitment to entrepreneurs (founders of BioNTech) in disseminating "their" vaccine in the context of a health crisis. The difficulties encountered in disseminating the Comirnaty vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) in Africa are exemplary in this respect. A literature review presents the concept of CSE (Corporate Social Entrepreneurship). We then present 2 research proposals: How can the CSE influence the CSR performance of copreneurs? What limitations may hinder CSE's commitment to success in a health crisis context? Concerning the research method, we use a qualitative approach with the investigation of a unique case study of the scientist-entrepreneur couple who founded BioNTech and led the Lightspeed project that gave birth to the Cominarty vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) during the health crisis. Concerning the results, CSE expands the scope of companies' activities and organizational values, pushing them to rethink their current CSR approaches by combining team commitment, will, and desire to create common economic and social values.