Following the open call for cooperation in February, IEDC-Bled School of Management and CEEMAN have gathered a diverse group of research partners from numerous universities and other institutions from 22 countries to research the Hidden Champions phenomenon in their nations’ economies. On 21 and 22 May, said partners will visit Bled to take part in the first research meeting and thus mark the start of the second iteration of this fascinating topic: Hidden Champions in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.
At the start of their two days at the premises of IEDC-Bled School of Management, the research partners were cordially welcomed by IEDC President and Dean Prof. Danica Purg. For their stay in beautiful Bled, an informative, yet concise two-day program has been prepared, during which the participants will be acquainted with the details of the research project. The meeting will be led by the leading researcher Dr. Alenka Braček Lalić, IEDC’s Vice Dean for Research and Co-Director of the Executive MBA, however representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the funding partner of the project, will also play a key role in the meeting. Moreover, business experts will join them via video conference to share their insights and experiences concerning Hidden Champions.
Hidden Champions are highly successful, but not very well-known innovative small and medium-sized companies. They are among the global top-three in terms of market share in their respective niche or the leader on their continent. Furthermore, the survival rate of Hidden Champions is often significantly higher than the average in their respective sector. Hidden Champions also boast the tendency to be very competitive in their markets, exhibit a consistent growth trajectory as well as an above-average innovation rate. It is because of these fascinating and compelling traits that academia strives to determine why these businesses in particular are thriving.
If you have any inquiries regarding the Hidden Champions project, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Alenka Braček Lalić at alenka.bracek.lalic@ceeman.org and Ms. Livija Marko at livija.marko@ceeman.org.