WHEN: April 15-16, 2025

WHERE: Faculty of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

LANGUAGE: Greek

Don’t miss the deadline! We’re inviting submissions until February 21, 2025

Submit Abstract
We are thrilled to announce that the VeSBUD Project is organizing the conference "Micro and Small-sized Firms as Catalysts of Resilient and Sustainable Local Development" in April 15-16, 2025 in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Contribute to the discourse by sharing your insights, research findings, and innovative ideas!

Overview

Micro and Small firms (MSFs) play a vital role in shaping the economic, social, and cultural fabric of local communities. They are essential to building strong local economies, driving innovation, generating employment, and fostering community resilience, particularly in the face of global challenges such as economic instability, climate change, and social inequality.

This conference aims to bring together scholars, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners  to explore the complex interactions between MSFs and local development. It seeks to address both theoretical and practical aspects, fostering a comprehensive understanding of how micro and small firms drive sustainable growth and create opportunities in diverse local contexts.

The conference is organized within the framework of the VeSBUD research project funded by ELIDEK.

Key Topics

We welcome submissions that align with the theme and may address (but are not limited to) the following topics:

  • MSFs and urban development: The contribution of MSFs to urban development, vitality, and economic growth.
  • The sectoral dimension: MSFs in Cultural and Creative Sectors, tourism, catering/gastronomy, etc.
  • Economic Impact:The contribution of MSFs to local job creation, income generation, and economic growth.
  • Innovation and Technology: How MSFs leverage innovation and technology to sustain competitiveness.
  • Social and Cultural Role: The influence of MSFs in fostering community identity, cohesion, and inclusivity.
  • Resilience and Adaptation: Strategies employed by MSFs to navigate crises and uncertainties, including climate change and pandemics.
  • Policy and Support Mechanisms: Effective policies, programs, and partnerships to enhance MSFs’ capabilities and impact.
  • Global-Local Dynamics: Interactions between MSFs and global markets, including opportunities and challenges.
  • The role of Institutions: Limited resources may imply that MSFs are more dependent on the thickness and quality of local and non-local institutions
  • Clusters, Networks and Ecosystems: The role of agglomeration and proximity on MSF success.
  • Diverse economies: The impact of alternative business models in MSF creation.
  • Entrepreneurship: Typologies and motivations of entrepreneurship in MSEs
  • Disadvantaged / trapped economies and local development: Developing economic, social and cultural vitality through MSFs.
Submission Details

We invite submissions of abstracts (300-500 words) with reference to research questions, methodology and key findings or expected findings. Abstracts will be evaluated and those accepted will be presented at the conference. Submission of a full text after acceptance is optional, while submission of texts not exceeding 3,000 or 8,000 words will be possible.

Submission Guidelines

Please submit your abstract via the submission form. Ensure your abstract includes the following:

  • Title of the paper
  • Name(s) of the author(s)
  • Affiliation(s) and contact details
  • Key keywords (3-5)
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Publication Opportunities

Following evaluation, selected texts up to 3,000 words will be included in a special issue of the journal ‘Geographies’, while selected texts up to 8,000 words will be included in a collective volume.

Registration

The cost of participation in the conference is set at 50€ (20€ for students and PhD candidates).

Contact Information

For questions or further details, please reach out to: 

email: vesbudproject@gmail.com / kaloger@plandevel.auth.gr,

Tel. 2310995498

Important Dates
  • Abstract submission deadline: 21 February 2025
  • Notification of acceptance: 28 February 2025
  • Full paper submission: 4 April 2025
  • Conference dates: 15 – 16 April 2025
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