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Certain social enterprises in the Netherlands eligible to supporting tax facilities, such as the ANBI-status.

How can a brand create awareness, set an example and inspire others at the same time? Students and staff at Nyenrode Business University learned the answer to this question and many more during an after-work session on March 7, 2019. Ynzo van Zanten, Choco Evangelist at Tony’s Chocolonely, was the keynote speaker.

During the Dies Natalis on November 20, 2018, Peter Bakker – President and CEO of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) – urged the business community to take on a leading role and secure a sustainable future for all. He believes we are entering a period of unprecedented transformation. On January 18, 2019, Nyenrode hosted a conference that fit in perfectly with this topic: 'Corporate responsibility in relation to climate change'. International firms, investment managers, insurers, human rights organizations and climate groups came together to address the key question: how can my business take responsibility for future generations?

On February 15, the second digital ecosystem roundtable took place at Nyenrode Business Universiteit, in partnership with T-Systems Netherlands. The topic was about digital entrants versus digital natives and how both deal with digital ecosystems with many stakeholders.

The outcomes of research on innovation in family businesses debunk the myth that family businesses are not innovative. This is according to the research report by Prof. Dr. Roberto Flören, professor of family businesses at Nyenrode Business Universiteit, in collaboration with ING and NPM Capital. Family business owners are more supportive of innovation policy than owners of non-family businesses. At the same time, the study shows that when more financial resources are available, nearly one-third of family businesses will be more innovative. Family businesses are therefore on par with other types of businesses when it comes to innovation.

Digital transformation, spearheaded by technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, biotechnology and the Internet of Things, is likely to push societies towards economic and political instability. With most economic structures relying almost entirely on employment – and on employees spending their wages – mass redundancy caused by ever-more efficient tech taking on human roles could throw the system into chaos and significantly widen the gap between the rich and the poor. As politicians scramble to resolve these issues, the resulting decline in taxes and business subsidies is likely to make governing problematic.

The world’s largest companies are pushing a digital technology agenda that is changing the way the rest of the world works. Over $ 1.7 trillion in market capitalization resides in just four digital business masters: Apple, Google, Amazon and Facebook. It seems companies have no choice but to innovate if they want to compete and succeed and stay on the cutting edge of technology.

How do you keep reflecting in an ever-accelerating society? Robotization and digitization have become commonplace. Especially now, it is important to give direction to the increased volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity in our lives. This is the message of Sharda Nandram, Associate Professor at the Center for Entrepreneurship & Stewardship at Nyenrode Business Universiteit. She has published three books on this subject.