RSM Outlook Summer 2010

Investing in new knowledge production (Catherine Walker)

The meteoric rise of the Erasmus Research Institute of Management, or ERIM, would make many a company envious. In a mere ten years it has tripled in size. It has risen from relative obscurity to become one of the top three players in Europe, and among the top 25 in the world.

Harnessing the creative power of diversity (Justine Whittern)

Whilst research indicates that diversity in the workplace can contribute to competitive advantage in business and boost innovation, diverse teams remain difficult for organisations to manage. Finding out why is a major challenge for researchers, says Prof. Daan van Knippenberg, co-founder and head of ERIM’s Centre for Leadership Studies.

A viral approach to marketing (Lesa Sawahata)

The Marketing programme at ERIM has long examined the decision-making function that drives consumer behaviour. The future of the field, says Professor Stijn van Osselaer, Chair of the Department of Marketing Management, is in looking at customer-to-customer marketing: how does marketing go viral, and how can we use language to target consumers in a multicultural setting?

The logistics of operations

Innovation is high within the field of logistics, says René de Koster, Professor of Logistics and Operations Management, as he outlines here the challenges that lie ahead for researchers and business managers alike.

Innovating the innovators (Lesa Sawahata)

Strategic renewal, the process of creating and implementing new products, processes and capabilities, is the focus of ERIM’s Strategy programme. Whilst technological innovations remain important, Prof. Henk Volberda believes that the future lies in Social Innovation. Here he explains what it is and the impact it can have on businesses.

A matter of incentive? (Catherine Walker)

Few topics in the accounting world have divided opinion as squarely as executive compensation and incentives – especially in the banking sector. But how should pay be structured in the future, and what systems will work best? Frank Hartmann, Professor of Management Accounting and Management Control, outlines how researchers can help provide the answers.