International Conference on Networks, Learning and Entrepreneurship

Waterford,Ireland

The theme of the conference is Entrepreneurial Networking and Learning within Regional Economies. This event will be hosted by Centre for Enterprise Development and Regional Economy (CEDRE), Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland in conjunction with the School of Management and Business, Aberystwyth University, Wales and the Regional Studies Association (RSA).

Continuing the success of the SLNIW conference held in Aberystwyth University, Wales, in 2010, the 2011 conference will provide an international communication forum bringing together academia and industry for discussing the progress made and addressing the challenges faced by micro-enterprises and SMEs to enhance competitiveness, creativity and innovative capacities and capabilities of their organisations to achieve growth and regional economic development.

Building upon existing work on networks, learning and entrepreneurship, the conference will promote interdisciplinary approaches from entrepreneurial networks, learning through networks, entrepreneurial regions, entrepreneurship and regional development, the role of intermediaries in networks and knowledge transfer through networking. Therefore, we invite researchers and practitioners to report on the current state of their entrepreneurial networking projects, share success stories and failures, and discuss promising new ideas, tools and approaches that enable organisations to systematically draw benefit from entrepreneurial networks.

Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) is a university-level institution in the South-East of Ireland with over 10,000 students and 1,000 staff. WIT offers tuition and research programmes in various areas from Higher Certificate to Degree to PhD. Waterford Institute of Technology has the highest number of students within the Institute of Technology sector, outside of the capital, Dublin, participating at ordinary degree level and above. The Institute also offers unique post doctoral programmes in a number of specialist areas.

The conference will be held in Waterford City, which is known as the capital of the Sunny South East of Ireland and Ireland’s oldest city. The city’s origin can be traced back to the Viking times with its exciting medieval flavour and riverside bustle. Waterford City is home to Waterford Crystal, a lifestyle product of exquisite craftsmanship, with its new visitor centre in operation since June 2010.

Register for the International Conference on Networks, Learning and Entrepreneurship