Research Group Financial-Economic Advice in Innovation
Digitalisation has given rise to new business models. The Research group Financial-Economic Advice in Innovation focuses on such new digital revenue models. In addition, we are studying the changing role of accountants, controllers and financial advisers as a result of digital information services.
Lines of research within the research group
There is a need to link the appropriate information to specific questions that emerge during decision-making processes. In this line of research, we study how to best design information systems within companies.
We also look at what these changes mean for the services provided by accountants and other financial professionals. To this end, we collaborate with partners such as AFAS. We are also studying certain Microsoft products, such as Excel and Dynamics.
In this line of research, we focus on the management of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, or SMEs. This is a subject that has received very little research attention. SMEs are dynamic and rapidly changing. How can proper management support these companies to perform better, to grow and to innovate?
It was with this purpose in mind that the Diamond model was designed in collaboration with Erasmus University Rotterdam. This model emphasises performance rather than compliance.
In this line of research, we study the ways in which access to financing for SMEs might be streamlined. How might companies obtain more favourable credit terms? And how can business service providers and financiers gain more insight into new forms of financing that lie outside the banking sector?
There are many ways to grow as a company, including organic growth, growth through collaboration, franchising and growth through acquisition (business acquisition). The manner in which a company can grow is unpredictable. It is therefore important to gain a better understanding of this process. How do you prevent a business from collapsing during a period of growth? What should you look out for when acquiring or taking over existing companies? These are the types of issues considered by this line of research.
Connecting external entrants to agricultural businesses without successors and / or lessees of agricultural land
This research aims at identifying the factors that are important for connecting external entrants to agricultural entrepreneurs without a successor
Financing choices for popular music artists
How do small businesses in the popular-music industry make decisions on how to finance their businesses? Which options do they have?
Psychological barriers in business transfer
A business owner who is selling his company will encounter psychological challenges. How decisive are these for the achievement of a successful sale?
Education
The topic of good SME management is dealt with during various courses and the graduation component. Research into good SME management is relatively new. Our students are challenged to come up with their own suggestions and improvements to the Diamond model. We no longer work under the assumption that the lecturer knows everything. Rather, the task is to search for solutions together. And this yields surprising results.
“You either invest directly in good SME management and grow as a result, or you wait until you have grown before you implement good SME management. Over the past 25 years, Écart has chosen the first option, which it also applies to its stakeholders. This is the basis of our success.”
Leo Zijerveld Founder of the private equity firm Écart
Collaboration
ONL for entrepreneurs, INRetail, Stichting MKB Finance, Qredits, Culture & Entrepreneurship, Kamer van Koophandel, Province of Utrecht, Municipality of Utrecht, Erasmus University, University of Leiden, University of Antwerpen, Centre for the Family company, HvA, NLPO, DARE, European Centre for Alternative Finance, Transeo, European Council of Small Business.
