What research approach does SBNi apply?

In general the initiative works as follows:

In-take (1-3 months):
Together with the participating organization a team of professors and staff will look for the right research subjects. The professor pinpoints important themes from his/her perspective – the organization presents questions that are important from the business perspective that, if an answer would be found, could imperatively improve the competitive edge of the organization. This first phase will lead to a definition of the joined research proposal (‘moonshot’ format).

Adoption (3-6 months):
Assisted by a candidate PhD-student the research proposal will be elaborated into a plan for PhD research. Next this research proposal will – after an agreement with the organization at stake - be discussed with the Program Council of the initiative: If the research proposal meets the agreement of the united academics of SBNi, the proposal will be registered with the initiative. The organization at stake ‘adopts’ the PhD candidate and his/her research.

Execution (24-30 months):
Execution of the research, in close collaboration with the organization, to which the PhD reports on a regularly basis (at least 2 per year by means of a structured ‘Be-Smart ” session). The student will, next to his promoter, intensively be monitored by a number of other professors from the initiative and may, through SBNi, call upon colleague students who are also connected to the initiative and work on similar themes. The organization at stake also has access to the international group of professors and PhD students. Furthermore master students could be assigned to side-topics for quick business results.

Reporting (max. 9 months):
In this phase the results are analyzed and documented. The PhD student produces his Thesis for defence and takes care of detailed feedback, and secure the results with his/her adopting company.

Discovery:
Once per year all participating companies, universities and PhD students will meet during a 3-day discovery event. Here the research results are presented and important trends and developments will be discussed. This is also the moment where the annually ‘SBN research manifesto’ will be presented and discussed; new PhD projects will be inaugurated and agreed upon; strengthen the network of business community and academics.