BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//eluceo/ical//2.0/EN VERSION:2.0 CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:event-781 DTSTAMP:20260409T122020Z SUMMARY:European Study Research: Barcelona DESCRIPTION:ESR Fall Barcelona: join for an amazing week full of companies\ , culture and clubs! From the 22nd until the 29th of November\, a group of 25 students\, 2 professors\, 6 committee members and 1 board member will join together for an international study trip to conduct research. The tri p will consist of a combination of cultural activities\, company visits wi th the aim of finalizing the research\, and chances to experience the amaz ing nightlife the city has to offer. European Study Research is an incredi ble event for students. It is an opportunity to add something unique to yo ur university experience\, a chance to broaden your network\, diversify yo ur (international) skill set\, meet new people\, and an amazing way to cre ate unforgettable memories.  Your ESR experience begins with an opening d inner\, followed by 7 weeks of lectures\, dinners and socials every Monday night. A variety of different topics\, lecturers and points of view will be discussed each week. After we return\, there will be another 2 weeks of lectures before the final dinner in order to put the finishing touches on our work. The total cost of joining the trip will be €250\,-\, which in cludes transportation to the city\, accommodation and transportation durin g our stay\, as well as various other activities to take part in. The ESR experience is one that is unique\, and should not be missed! In order to t ake part in this amazing project\, click on the register button here! Appl ications open on the 3rd of September and close on the 17th of September\ , 23.59. This is also the deadline for sending your CV and motivation let ter to esrfall@ebfgroningen.nl.  The applications are open to bachelor st udents of the FEB with at least 45 ECTS and (pre-)master students. For any other remaining questions about this trip\, feel free to contact us at es rfall@ebfgroningen.nl. ESR TIMELINE Application deadline Wednesday the 17t h of September\, 23:59 Interviews and selection Wednesday the 17th until W ednesday the 24th of September Introduction dinner Monday the 29th of Sept ember Weekly lectures\, dinners and socials (7 times) Every Monday at 18:0 0 from the 6th of October until the 17th of November Theme party Monday th e 17th of November Research trip Saturday the 22nd of November until Satur day the 29th of November Lecture\, dinner and social after the trip (2 tim es) Monday the 1st of December and Monday the 8th of December Closing din ner Monday the 8th of December ESR WORKLOAD In the 7 weeks prior to the tr ip there will be a lecture (6-8pm)\, dinner (8-10pm) and a social (10pm on wards) every Monday which you will be expected to attend. In the lectures we will discuss how to conduct research\, there will be presentations by t he various subgroups and several workshops. The dinners and socials are a great way to get to know everyone. Next to these activities you are expect ed to actually prepare your specific research together with your subgroup\ , which will mostly be done during the preparatory phase of the trip. In t otal\, ESR will cost you about 6-8 hours per week. MAIN RESEARCH THEME: DI GITALISATION IN BARCELONA – TRANSFORMING BUSINESS MODELS AND COMPETITIVE NESS Barcelona\, the vibrant capital of Catalonia\, plays a crucial role i n Europe’s ongoing digital transformation. As one of the continent’s l eading innovation hubs\, the city offers a supportive environment where di gital technologies reshape both traditional and emerging industries. Its s trategic location along the Mediterranean coast\, combined with strong inf rastructure and a skilled workforce\, enhances its global connectivity and attractiveness for international business. The city’s commitment to bec oming a smart city has led to the implementation of advanced digital infra structures that improve both urban living and business operations. Public- private collaborations\, such as the DFactory Barcelona initiative\, demon strate how Barcelona fosters innovation by connecting tech companies\, res earch centres\, and government institutions. These initiatives not only im prove competitiveness but also reinforce Barcelona’s leadership in digit al transformation. Barcelona’s strong emphasis on digital talent\, its t hriving startup ecosystem\, and its integration into European and global i nnovation networks make it an ideal case study for examining the impact of digitalization. The city offers a real-time view into how digital tools\, business models\, and technologies are being deployed to navigate current economic and societal challenges. This research theme examines how digita lization affects the performance and competitiveness of companies in Barce lona\, and how businesses adapt their models to succeed in a rapidly evolv ing digital economy. As a participant in the ESR program\, you will be div ided into five subgroups to research the theme “Digitalization in Barcel ona: The Transformation of Business Models and Competitiveness.” Each su bgroup will focus on a specific subtheme related to Barcelona’s digital economy. These subthemes will guide your research questions and ensure a t horough exploration of the main theme. Throughout the program\, you will d evelop essential business research skills\, including creating theoretical frameworks and conceptual models. Working closely with your subgroup\, yo u will have the opportunity to discuss your findings during lectures and r eceive feedback from the committee and professors. The final deliverable w ill be a comprehensive research paper\, including recommendations from eac h subgroup\, which will be presented to the companies and organizations we will visit in Barcelona. To provide a detailed examination of the main re search theme\, we have established the following five subthemes: 1. Corpor ate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability 2. Innovation and Digit alization 3. Risk Management 4. Business Environment 5. Marketing and Cust omer Engagement Each subgroup will delve into these subthemes to provide a comprehensive understanding of Barcelona’s strategic position in the di gital economy. Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability In Barce lona\, CSR and sustainability are increasingly integrated with digital str ategies. Companies utilize digital tools to monitor and mitigate their env ironmental impact\, increase transparency\, and foster stakeholder engagem ent. Smart energy solutions\, green digital infrastructure\, and responsib le data practices contribute to both environmental goals and corporate cre dibility\, aligning with Barcelona’s wider vision of sustainable innovat ion. Innovation and Digitalization Innovation is a crucial component of Ba rcelona’s economic strategy. The city’s dense network of tech startups \, incubators\, and collaborative platforms supports rapid experimentation and digital adoption. Businesses in Barcelona are leveraging emerging tec hnologies\, including AI\, IoT\, and blockchain\, to enhance efficiency an d create new value propositions. This subtheme investigates how these tech nologies are transforming business models. Risk Management With the rise o f digitalization comes new risks. Companies in Barcelona are adopting proa ctive strategies to manage threats related to cybersecurity\, data protect ion\, and operational resilience. Regulatory compliance\, technological re dundancy\, and business continuity planning are critical components of the ir digital risk management frameworks. This theme explores how organizatio ns anticipate and respond to digital threats. Business Environment Barcelo na’s business environment is shaped by its innovation policies\, infrast ructure\, and regulatory framework. Support from regional and city governm ents\, combined with EU funding and strategic planning\, creates a favorab le environment for digital business development. This subtheme explores ho w institutional support\, economic incentives\, and legal frameworks influ ence the competitiveness of digital enterprises. Marketing and Customer En gagement Digitalization has fundamentally changed the way companies in Bar celona interact with their customers. From data-driven marketing to omnich annel strategies\, businesses utilize digital tools to enhance the custome r experience\, increase engagement\, and personalize their offerings. This subtheme examines the role of digital platforms and technologies in foste ring strong customer relationships within a competitive landscape. 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