1. RENT in EIASM: growth, performance and sustainability Paul Coughlan President, EIASM RENT XX Conference November 2006

2. 1987 was a long time ago… … –The EC was smaller –The world seemed safer –There seemed to be more time –RENT I was held RENT I marked the start of what has become a successful series of annual meetings for researchers and practitioners to reflect on research results and experiences in the field of entrepreneurship and small business management

3. Then, as now, the concept of RENT fitted within EIASM EIASM was a network organisation with primary emphases on applied research and on doctoral education. For many years, EIASM had run – workshops –conferences –and doctoral education activities In the process, EIASM was building the capabilities and networks of a generation of researchers.

4. An early development plan for EIASM saw the Institute as…...initiator, catalyst and co-ordinator of joint efforts...a basic resource to be used jointly by the European academic community...making the vision of international innovative management education and research come through in attitudes as well as in concrete action...striving to come closer to the real crucial problems of public and private organisations.

5. Collaborative networks Conferences, seminars and workshops Scientific research Doctoral student education Alumni Academic Council PhD Students Staff Faculty Board Academic Associations Programme Development Group Scientific Committee Networks & Activities… Managed by… And still today, the EIASM continues to work to that plan..

6. Since 1987, RENT has grown and developed… …into a network within the EIASM network! Entrepreneurship, in all of its forms, is a driver of growth in our global and knowledge based environment …and, as with any driver, it needs to be described, understood and its impact predicted in order to be managed and controlled

7. RENT is now a platform for research which is multilevel, multidisciplinary, multimodal… Global National Local Industry Firm Family, Individual Global structures & dynamics: Context, cause, policy National competitiveness Community, clusters, Industry structure & dynamics Strategy, structure, process; corporate, business, functional Groups, individuals

8. That we are here today… …to begin the 20 th RENT Conference is testament to those who had the interest and the courage to start this network In their own way, they recognised that knowledge –is inexhaustible –as you share it, it increases –it explodes as it is questioned and challenged –when corrected, it improves and is refined

9. So, congratulations and keep pushing forward....to release those imaginations to multiply the opportunities for innovation and to contribute to knowledge and practice Here’s to the next 20 years!