Our society faces major challenges over the coming decades. Biodiversity is diminishing and extreme weather conditions are causing increasing dislocation to our society. Natural resources are being depleted and a shortage of workers is slowing business processes and causing even more employees to fall ill. However large or small a company, institution or organisation is, regardless of the sector, profit or non-profit, they can all make a difference in how we tackle these challenges now and in the future.
At CoE BWNO, we help businesses, institutions and organisations to explore what difference they can make. How they can make the transition to ‘new entrepreneurship’: doing business in a way that contributes to human and natural values and repairs the damage done – or better yet, prevents it. For example, by finding a new organisational form for the supply of sustainable energy, by making business processes more sustainable, or by not only reporting on financial aspects in annual reports but also on environmental impact and care for human capital. The results of the research can be applied directly to real-life situations. In this way, we are immediately making a difference on the road towards a wellbeing economy in the future.
What is a wellbeing economy?
Currently, we still measure prosperity mainly in terms of economic growth and financial progress. The use of natural resources and people is regarded as inevitable, and we prefer not to dwell on their exhaustion and exploitation. But the earth and society are approaching their limits. For this reason, a transition to a wellbeing economy is essential.
A wellbeing economy includes everything people consider to be of value – materially and financially, but also things like education, health and a pleasant living environment. A wellbeing economy also means that everyone, now and in the future, has the opportunity to enjoy that kind of prosperity themselves. This calls for a new kind of entrepreneurship: entrepreneurship that contributes to human and natural values and strives to repair the damage done – or better yet, prevent it. The transition to a wellbeing economy calls for a different way of looking at things, for new knowledge and insights. For businesses and institutions, too.
What do we do for (and with) businesses and institutions?
Together with businesses and institutions, we want to make a difference in the transition to a wellbeing economy and new entrepreneurship. How do we do that? By conducting practice-based research together. In concrete terms, we are working with businesses and institutions by:
- Concluding partnerships in which we share knowledge and practical experience;
- Jointly exploring which changes for businesses and institutions can contribute to multiple value creation and have the greatest impact in terms of achieving a wellbeing economy;
- Conducting joint research into specific subjects on a project basis;
- Supporting businesses and institutions by offering the knowledge and expertise of lecturers and students on affiliated study programmes at Avans University of Applied Sciences.
We take a co-creation approach to defining the right research question and then conducting research. We talk to each other and explore what the underlying question is and how we can help each other. That is the first step. We then make an action plan and work it up into a research plan, in which we record the aims and objectives of the research and the end products we want to see. After that, we start pursuing the objective we want to achieve together. That calls for commitment, effort and energy from all partners. In this way, we are making a difference together.
Want to get started?
We would love to work with your organisation on the transition to a wellbeing economy through new entrepreneurship. Interested? Complete the contact form and we’ll schedule an introductory meeting with you.
Are you an entrepreneur trying to define a new way of doing business and are there particular issues you are coming up against that you are unwilling or unable to resolve alone? If so, discover what CoE BWNO can do for you and your company.