Conference Tracks

The arctic regions are rich in natural resources specifically in minerals, energy and food production. At the same time the region has a sensitive nature and climate change is already having considerable effect. The need for circular development for sustainability is thus a key topic for the region where majority of firms are SMEs that play a fundamental role in this process. As peripheral regions innovation is further challenged by context conditions such as organizational thinness, levels of agglomeration and R&D expenditure and industries seen as traditional and lagging in innovation levels.  

We welcome all contributions dealing with topics related to the role of SMEs in circular and sustainable solutions in the region, including;  

• Circular development in the food and bioeconomy industries 

• Sustainable Food Transitions – Arctic and consumer Perspectives 

• Renewable energy solutions and use in arctic context 

• Role of SMEs in Circular solutions in the Arctic  

• Development of new circular value chains  

• Sustainable use of natural resources 

This session is part of the Arctic six collaboration https://www.arcticsix.org/arctic-six/about  

Track chairs: 

Rannveig Edda Hjaltadottir (corresponding), Arctic Chair 2024-2026, Nord University, Norway, rannveig.hjaltadottir@nord.no 

Armando Perez-Cueto, Arctic Chair 2024-2026, Umeå University, Sweden, armando.perez@umu.se 

Roberto Rivas Hermann, Arctic Chair 2024-2026, Nord University, Norway, roberto.r.hermann@nord.no 

Dolores Modic, Nord University, Norway, dolores.modic@nord.no 

Sahana Swaroop Chetan, Nord University, Norway, sahana.s.chetan@nord.no 

In today's volatile environment, entrepreneurs navigate increasingly complex and intertwined crises. From pandemics to geopolitical conflicts, these overlapping disruptions—characteristic of a "poly-crisis" era—fundamentally alter decision-making contexts. This track seeks contributions that advance our understanding of how entrepreneurs and small firms strategize, adapt, and sometimes thrive under such conditions. The track welcomes (but is not limited to) submissions that investigate how entrepreneurial unorthodox actions, crisis preparedness, resilience, and external enablement shape strategic actions and outcomes. We are open to contributions that challenge traditional assumptions of stability, address decision making under persistent uncertainty, and provide insights into entrepreneurial behavior when "crisis" becomes the norm rather than the exception. The track is open to both conceptual and empirical papers. 

Track chairs: 

Daria Hakola (corresponding), University of Jyväskylä, Finland, daria.d.hakola@jyu.fi 

Daniel Pittino, Jönköping University, Sweden, daniel.pittino@ju.se 

Kim Klyver, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark, kkl@sam.sdu.dk 

Suna Løwe Nielsen, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark, sso@sam.sdu.dk 

Sanita Rugina, Södertörn University, Sweden, sanita.rugina@sh.se  

Track 3: Entrepreneurship Education and Incubation Inside and Outside the UniversityHigher education boundaries between entrepreneurship education and incubation, as well as the boundaries of the university, have become blurred. Increasingly, initiatives targeted at student entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs inside and outside the university seek new forms of collaboration in efforts to identify the paths that are most beneficial for the development of new ventures, scale-ups, learning, and institutional impact. In this track, we welcome papers on addressing tensions and new developments within incubation and entrepreneurship education as part of new types of initiatives (both curricular and extracurricular activities), interactions between initiatives, as well as the responsibility and changes needed for such initiatives and learning processes inside and outside universities. We also welcome papers that discuss new formats in this space, like co-education, case-based teaching, co-creation, regenerative and sustainable approaches to re-visit entrepreneurship, and bring about new perspectives. 

Track chairs:

Lise Aaboen (corresponding), Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway, lise.aaboen@ntnu.no 

Tommy Høyvarde Clausen, Nord University Business School, Nord University, Bodø, Norway, tommy.h.clausen@nord.no 

Michael Breum Ramsgaard, Research Centre for the Study of Professions, VIA University College, Denmark, mibj@via.dk 

Birgitte Wraae, Department of Business and Law, Copenhagen Business School and Copenhagen School of Entrepreneurship, Copenhagen, Denmark, bw.bhl@cbs.dk 

This track provides a forum for presenting and discussing both empirical and conceptual research that explores how entrepreneurship can be a catalyst for social change and impact. We welcome studies that examine a broad range of contexts, actors, and approaches—including, but not limited to social enterprises, mission-driven startups, community-driven ventures and initiatives, grassroots, SMEs with a social purpose or public-private collaborations for societal change. By embracing this diversity that spans disciplinary, methodological, and contextual boundaries, this track aims to capture the multifaceted nature of entrepreneurship as a driver of social change.  

Track chairs: 

Mikhail Kosmynin (corresponding), Nord University, Norway, mikhail.kosmynin@nord.no  

Sönke Mestwerdt, University of Manchester, United Kingdom, sonke.mestwerdt@manchester.ac.uk  

Malin Brännback, Åbo Akademi University, Finland, malin.brannback@abo.fi 

Traditionally dominated by governments and agencies such as NASA and ESA, the space industry is now being reshaped by private actors, a shift referred to as the New Space Economy. Due to technological advancements and lower satellite launch costs, new entrepreneurial opportunities are emerging. The Nordic region plays a strategic role in this transformation, with Sweden’s Esrange and Norway’s Andøya Space among the few operational or upcoming launch sites in Europe, positioning the region as a hub for space innovation. 

This track welcomes contributions that explore the evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem of the space sector, including: 

• Collaboration between public and private actors to support space startups  

• Regional development linked to the (Nordic) space centers 

• Startups addressing sustainable development through satellite data and earth observation 

• Networks and collaboration between established businesses, startups and/or research institutions 

• Democracy and inclusion in the New Space Economy 

Track chairs:  

Marta Lindvert (corresponding), Nord University, Norway, marta.lindvert@nord.no 

Iselin Steira, Nord University, Norway, iselin.k.mauseth@nord.no  

Andrew Corbett, Babson College, United States

This track invites contributions investigating how academic institutions collaborate with regional stakeholders to support students and early-career researchers in transitioning from university projects to viable business ventures. Emphasis will be on strategies and partnerships that operate in rural and less-connected regions with limited traditional support mechanisms. We particularly encourage submissions exploring regional innovation ecosystems, cross-sector collaboration, digital tools, and mentorship practices that extend beyond the university, with a focus on sustainable, scalable models that enable youth-led innovation in peripheral contexts. 

Track chairs: 

Umair Najeeb Mughal (corresponding), Nord University, Norway, umair.n.mughal@nord.no 

Anna Guðrún Edvardsdóttir, Hólar University, Iceland, arun@holar.is

Anzelika Krastina, Senior Lecturer, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Finland

Lars Andreas Myrvoll, Rådgiver, Nord University, Norway

Noel Mulkeen, Innovation Programme Manager, Atlantic Technological University, Ireland

Entrepreneurship is a gendered field marked with masculine symbols and values with the consequence of marginalizing women, as well as marginalizing men operating in feminine industries or sharing feminine values. This gender and entrepreneurship track seeks contributions that advance our understanding of how women, men, and non-binary entrepreneurs engage in doing or undoing gender in their entrepreneurial environments (private/public organization, business incubator, network, etc.) or in their engagements with others (e.g. customers, suppliers, competitors, stakeholders, co-workers). We are open to contributions that make masculinities and femininities - and gendered orders - visible in entrepreneurship as well as papers that address how gendered resources are exchanged in organizations, the household, or within the entrepreneurial family (business/organization). The track welcomes (but is not limited to) papers that rely on gender theories, such as feminist theories, intersectionality, or queer theory. The track is open to both conceptual and empirical papers. 

Track chairs:  

Gry Agnete Alsos, Nord University, Norway, gry.a.alsos@nord.no 

Elisabet Ljunggren, Nord University, Norway, elisabet.c.ljunggren@nord.no 

Karin Berglund, Örebro University, Sweden, karin.berglund@oru.se 

Helle Neergaard, Aarhus University, Denmark, helle.neergaard@mgmt.au.dk 

Ulla Hytti (corresponding), University of Turku, Finland, ulla.hytti@utu.fi  

The advancing digitalization is increasingly changing economic sectors and the way businesses operate, compete, and create value. This track examines the interface between sustainable growth and digitalization in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), focusing on the role of digitalization in the entire entrepreneurial process (i.e., business creation, development, and exit). The track invites theoretical and empirical contributions that examine, among other things, approaches and strategies for digital transformation, the adoption of new technologies, and the challenges faced by different types of SMEs and entrepreneurs in using digital tools and solutions for sustainable growth, both organic and acquisitive, at different stages of business development. We are also interested in whether and how smaller firms deal with the risks of digitalization in their businesses. Finally, we are interested in how cultural, social, and economic dynamics influence the motivational factors for sustained growth, and welcome contributions that address the influence of, e.g., gender-specific perceptions of new technologies and their adoption and use in SMEs. 

Track chairs: 

Susanne Durst (corresponding), Reykjavik University, Iceland, susanned@ru.is 

Emilia Kangas, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Finland, emilia.kangas@seamk.fi 

Anmari Viljamaa, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Finland, anmari.viljamaa@seamk.fi 

Entrepreneurship offers a vital pathway for refugees and immigrants to rebuild livelihoods, foster self-reliance, and support integration - especially in times of displacement and socio-political instability. While the Baltic Sea region remains a key area of interest, this track welcomes contributions from all geographical contexts to allow for comparative insights across different national and regional settings. 

The Baltic Sea region, shaped by recent geopolitical crises, offers a particularly relevant context due to both its rising refugee population and its institutional similarities as part of the European Union. At the same time, historical, cultural, and policy differences across the region result in diverse approaches to refugee and immigrant entrepreneurship and integration. Factors such as public attitudes, refugee stigma, and socio-economic marginalization can significantly affect entrepreneurial experiences, calling for a deeper understanding of the role of personal agency and support mechanisms. 

This track invites conceptual and empirical contributions exploring how refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs navigate uncertainty, build businesses, and engage with host societies. We are especially interested in studies addressing topics such as entrepreneurial resilience, identity work, adaptation strategies, transnational networks, and the role of formal and informal support ecosystems. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches are welcome, as are interdisciplinary perspectives. 

Track chairs: 

Sanita Rugina (corresponding), Centre for Baltic and East European Studies, Södertörn University, Sweden, sanita.rugina@sh.se 

Maria Ivanova-Gongne, Abo Akademi University, School of Business and Economics, Finland 

Stefan Lång, Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics, and Law, Abo Akademi University School of Business and Economics, Finland 

Ester Emois, Estonian Business School, Estonia

This special track invites contributions that explore the emerging field of regenerative entrepreneurship. The concept of regenerative entrepreneurship has garnered some attention (for instance Konietzko et al., 2023; Caldera et al., 2022; Gibbons, 2020; Hahn & Tampe, 2021; Drupsteen & Wakke, 2024) but is still underdefined, undertheorized and underinvestigated. Understood as entrepreneurial theories, practices and business models aimed not only at reducing harm but at actively restoring and regenerating ecological and social systems, regenerative entrepreneurship seeks to extend existing concepts of sustainable entrepreneurship. This special track seeks to initiate scholarly processes of sensemkaing into this field of entrepreneurial practice that is still largely unknown. We invite transdicisplinary theoretical, conceptual and empirical contributions that examine the principles, processes, and /or implications of regenerative entrepreneurship across industries and regions. Topics of interest include regenerative business models, ecosystem regeneration through innovation, founder identity and motivation, leadership and team-processes as well as co-creation with civil society and policy actors, and metrics for measuring regenerative impact. This track aims to build a cross-disciplinary community of scholars and practitioners committed to rethinking value creation through the lens of regeneration. 

Track chairs: 

Sebastian Planck (corresponding), Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship/HM Munich University of Applied Sciences, Germany, sebastian.planck@sce.de 

Johanna Kobilke, Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship, Germany, johanna.kobilke@sce.de 

Michael Breum Ramsgaard, VIA University College, Aarhus, Denmark, MIBJ@via.dk 

Robin Van Oorshot, DTU, Copenhagen, Denmark, roor@dtu.dk 

Sonja Wilhelm, Social Entrepreneurship Akademie, HM Munich University of Applied Sciences, Germany, sonja.wilhelm@sce.de 

Succession is a defining moment in the life of any enduring organisation. While research in family business has long focused on hereditary transitions, a growing number of leadership changes now occur outside traditional kinship lines. This track examines how leadership succession is managed when legacy-based organisations, particularly family firms, transition beyond bloodline logic.

We invite interdisciplinary dialogue that bridges family business research, institutional theory, political economy, and branding studies. Of particular interest are papers examining how legitimacy, identity, and symbolic assets – such as family heritage, royal endorsements, or honorary titles – are constructed and leveraged to ensure continuity.

While the primary emphasis lies on family firms, we welcome comparative perspectives from other legacy-rich contexts, including royal institutions, religious organisations, or political dynasties. Contributions may highlight how branding, narrative authority, or symbolic capital influence succession, particularly when kinship is no longer the primary guiding principle.

We encourage both empirical and conceptual submissions, including qualitative, historical, and interpretive approaches, that offer fresh perspectives on transitions often overlooked by performance-focused or family-versus-non-family comparative studies. The track aims to foster new conversations about legitimacy, identity, and continuity in organisations that evolve beyond hereditary succession.

Track chairs: 

Christian Neusser (corresponding), University of Reading - Henley Business School, UK, c.r.neusser@student.henley.ac.uk

Jannek K. Sommer, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark,  jaks@sam.sdu.dk

Elham Kalhor, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark, elham@sam.sdu.dk

Inessa Laur, University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), Norway, inessa.laur@usn.no

Demands for sustainability are reshaping the competitive landscape for businesses of all sizes. While it's clear that entrepreneurship is essential for advancing sustainability, this process is fraught with strategic dilemmas and operational complexities. Defining what sustainability means in practice is not straightforward, and firms must navigate conflicting pressures from consumers, investors, and regulators.

This track explores how entrepreneurs and small business leaders integrate sustainability into their core strategy and operations. We welcome contributions that examine the internal and external factors influencing a firm's sustainability journey. We are looking for conceptual and empirical work that moves beyond simply asking "if" entrepreneurship contributes to sustainability, to asking "how" it is done.

We look forward to constructive discussions on topics including, but not limited to:

• Strategic decision-making for sustainability in startups and small firms.
• Operationalising sustainability through innovation, supply chain management, and new business models.
• The interplay between profitability and sustainability, and how firms manage this tension.
• The role of interdisciplinary collaboration for reaching sustainable change.
• The role of entrepreneurial leadership and mindset in driving sustainable change.
• Case studies of small firms that have successfully integrated sustainability into their identity.
• Exploring the organisational and ethical challenges of greenwashing and impact measurement.

Track chairs:

Elli Verhulst (corresponding), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway, elli.verhulst@ntnu.no
Simon Jebsen, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark, simonf@sam.sdu.dk
Martin Senderovitz, Zealand Academy of Technologies and Business, Denmark, mse@sdu.dk

Current research shows that entrepreneurship can be fulfilling and correlate positively with wellbeing, but it can also be extremely stressful and contribute to ill-being. In this track we invite submissions that include a broad range of research on well-being and ill-being within entrepreneurs, new venture teams, entrepreneurial workers (i.e., individuals that act entrepreneurially without starting up a business) and entrepreneurial ecosystems and communities more generally. We welcome empirically rigorous papers, both quantitative and qualitive, as well as conceptual papers that reflect multiple disciplinary and methodological perspectives to address the complexity of the topic. The goal of this track is to better understand the unique individual and societal well-being and ill-being challenges as a driver or result of entrepreneurial activity, as well as the dialectic nature of well-being and ill-being in entrepreneurship to stimulate bold new research ideas and methods on this timely and important topic. 

Track chairs:  

Sanna Ilonen, University of Turku, Finland, sanna.ilonen@utu.fi 

Pekka Stenholm, University of Turku, Finland, pekka.stenholm@utu.fi 

Martina Battisti (corresponding), Grenoble Ecole de Management, France, martina.battisti@grenoble-em.com 

Ewald Kibler, Aalto University, Finland, ewald.kibler@aalto.fi 

Carina Lomberg, DTU, Denmark, calom@dtu.dk  

We also welcome qualitative, quantitative and conceptual papers within the fields of small business and entrepreneurship to the open track.