Conference call preamble

Claims of a ‘runaway world’ are probably as old as humankind, yet with an ever-increasing pace of technological development, including technology-mediated global connectivity, we are confronted with an uncertain future. For example, Artificial Intelligence promises enormous productivity improvements, yet who will benefit most is to be seen. Moreover, we live in an era where global poverty has substantially reduced, but, at the same time, the distribution of wealth is increasingly skewed in many countries. Likewise, increased connectivity not only leads to stronger relations and understanding across the globe, but also increases tensions, for example, due to cut-throat competition. In turn, such competition leads to businesses evading environmental or tax regulations or debatable working circumstances. Alternatively, when old industries disappear, good use of new technologies can provide massive entrepreneurial opportunities – which can reinvigorate regional ecosystems, especially when leading to sustainable societal impact.

The history of the Twente region provides an illustrious example. In the mid-19th century, the Dutch government stimulated the new and upcoming textile industry in the eastern Netherlands, leading to the Twente region becoming a global player at the turn of the century. For example, north-east Twente textile traders established a strong presence in St. Petersburg during the reign of Czarina Catharina the Great; remnants of their wealth can still be found there today. Moreover, in a 1913 ranking of largest Dutch firms, we find the largest of the once 160 Twente textile companies ranked third, accompanied in eleventh place by a Twente textile machine manufacturer.

Yet, in the mid-20th century, various factors led to an enormous economic decline, with a five-fold loss of jobs in the textile industry. Only in 2019 unemployment levels were once again under the national average. One root cause for the region’s resilience is the educational system. While the textile technology training provided by one of the predecessors of Saxion University of Applied Sciences was no longer needed by the textile industry, the available expertise was of great use to the manufacturing industry. This got an additional strong impulse by the establishment of a technology university in 1961. A university that, in 1985, was one of the first to profile itself as an entrepreneurial university emphasizing the societal impact of science. Fast forward to today, this led to spin-offs such as Booking.com and Justeattakeaway.com and alumni inventing Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Nowadays photonic chips, a key part of the success of ASML, but also medical technology and AI are new frontiers pushed in Twente.

While the combined benefits of new technology and entrepreneurship are clear, there are also disadvantages. Not only can new technologies, in combination with entrepreneurship, ‘creatively’ destroy old industries, but also the benefits do not always accrue where the efforts were delivered. For example, Booking.com was acquired by a US company, its headquarters moved to Amsterdam, and the R&D centre where Bluetooth was invented was closed. On the other hand, while economic resilience is important, a broad value concept draws attention to factors such as quality of life, outstanding natural beauty, and strong social networks. We aim to foster a deeper understanding of the balancing act of such broad value creation in both local ecosystems and globally.

We aim to attract submissions that will explore the multifaceted roles that entrepreneurship and technology play in shaping both local contexts and global networks. By engaging with the opportunities, challenges, and contradictions these forces present, we envision a vibrant discussion that will highlight innovative solutions, best practices, and new frameworks for responsible entrepreneurship. Through thoughtful analysis and debate, the conference will not only expand the academic discourse but also catalyze conversations that bridge theory and practice in tangible, impactful ways.

We are looking forward to submissions for the RENT Conference in 2025 that help us reveal both the tensions and opportunities for responsible entrepreneurship in relation to technology while considering implications for both local and global contexts. Such new insights will not only contribute to the academic agenda but ideally, also spark fruitful discussions within policy and practitioner communities. We very much look forward to meet you in Enschede and collectively explore the opportunities, challenges and tensions related to responsible entrepreneurship and technology.

All submitted abstracts will be reviewed using a double-blind review process. The RENT Scientific Committee and several established researchers will be involved in the process.
 
Several awards will be distributed (2025 J.M.Veciana best paper award for a junior researcher, ISBJ best paper award, Alistair Anderson Entrepreneurship & Regional Development best paper award, and best reviewer nominees).