Entrepreneurial Networking & Learning Within Regional Economies

2^nd International Conference

7-8 December 2011, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland

Register now at http://www.slniwconference.org/

This conference brings together an international forum of academics, entrepreneurs, practitioners, industry representatives and enterprise support agencies to debate the challenges faced by micro-enterprises and SMEs when improving their competitiveness, creativity and innovative capacities and capabilities of their organisations. The forum will also debate aspects of economic development.  Researchers and practitioners will present and discuss promising new ideas, tools and approaches that enable organisations to systematically draw benefits from learning networks, as well as improved aspects of regional economic development.

 Click here for the full programme

Programme Overview

7^th December 2011

09.30-09.45 Welcome Address, Tony McFeely, Acting President, Waterford Institute of Technology

09.45-10.00 Opening Address, Dr. Tom O’Toole, Head of School of Business, Waterford Institute of Technology and Prof. Aled G. Jones, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Aberystwyth University

10.00-10.40 Keynote Address, Prof. Mike Danson, University of West Scotland

‘The Role of Business Networks in Regional Economic Development’

10.40-11.00 Keynote Address, Prof. Bill O’Gorman and SLNIW Team

11.30-13.00 Paper Session

·        Networking and Innovation

·        Classroom and Entrepreneurship = oil and water?

14.00-15.30 Paper Session

·        The role of networks in regional development

·        Networking as antecedents to entrepreneurship and innovation

16.00-17.30 Paper Session

·        Entrepreneurship education and the industrial process

·        Trust, mentoring and change the essence of networking, education and entrepreneurship

19.30 Conference Dinner (Granville Hotel)

8^th December 2011

09.00-09.40 Keynote Address, Prof. Elizabeth Chell, Kingston University

‘The Importance of Interactions in Changing Entrepreneurial Behaviour’

09.40-10.10 Keynote Address, Dr. Robert Smith, Aberdeen Business School

‘The Sociality of Business Networks - Does It Make A Difference’

10.30-12.00 Paper Session

·        Young Entrepreneurs

·        Next Generation Networks - 3G or not 3G

12.00-12.30 Keynote Address, Minister John Perry, TD for Small Business

12.30-14.00, Awards Luncheon, Sponsored by the Regional Studies Association

·        Best Doctoral Student Paper

·        Best Early Career Paper

·        Best Established Career Paper

14.00 Conference Close

14.00-16.30 Doctoral Colloquium

Special Issue Journal

Selected papers from the conference will be published in the Journal of Entrepreneurship and Regional Development.

 Learning by Linking -- Book:   
The SLNIW team will also launch their book, Learning By Linking: Establishing Sustainable Business Learning Networks.  Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of this book.

This event is organised by Centre for Enterprise Development and Regional Economy (CEDRE), School of Business, Waterford Institute of Technology in conjunction with the School of Management and Business at Aberystwyth University and supported by the Regional Studies Association. 

 Sustainable Learning Networks in Ireland and Wales (SLNIW) is an exciting business project that is supporting over 100 businesses from South East Ireland and West Wales to learn, share knowledge, and develop and grow their businesses through networking. This exciting and innovative project is part funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the IN-TERREG IVA Ireland Wales programme 2007-2013. For more details on the SLNIW Project please visit: www.slniw.com

Register now at http://www.slniwconference.org/registration.html

For further details please contact Nichola Courney [log in to unmask]