ESR Budapest
ESR Budapest: join for an amazing week full of companies, culture and clubs!
This year's destination of ESR Spring will be Budapest! From the 12th until the 20th of May, a group of 25 students, 2 professors and 6 committee members will join together for a week to visit the beautiful and vibrant city of Budapest to conduct research. The trip will consist of a combination of cultural activities, company visits with the aim of finalizing the research, and chances to experience the amazing nightlife the city has to offer.
European Study Research is an incredible event for students. It is an opportunity to add something unique to your university experience, a chance to broaden your network, diversify your (international) skill set, meet new people, and an amazing way to create unforgettable memories. All of this in the exciting city of Budapest!
Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, is an astonishing city with great history and exciting nightlife. Combined with an unique combination of multinationals from a variety of industries and exciting startups with great prospects. This year, the research theme will be ‘’The implementation of sustainability practices in the business landscape of Hungary”. You will be split up into teams of 5 students, each with a specific sub theme to focus the research on. More information about the sub themes can be found under the theme tab.
Your ESR experience begins with an opening dinner, 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 to Budapest will be €225,-, which includes plane tickets, accommodation and transportation during 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 take part in this amazing project, click on the register button! Applications open on the 9th of February and close on the 26th of February, 23.59! This is also the deadline for sending your CV and motivation letter.
The applications are open to bachelor students 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 esrspring@ebfgroningen.nl.
ESR TIMELINE
Application deadline
Sunday the 26th of February, 23:59
Interviews and selection
Monday the 27th of February until Thursday the 10th of March
Introduction dinner
Monday the 13th of March
Weekly lectures, dinners and socials (7 times)
Every Monday at 17:00 from the 20th of March until the 8th of May, with exception of the 3th of April (exams)
Theme party
Monday the 1st of May
Research trip to Budapest
Friday the 12th of May until Saturday the 20th of May
Lecture, dinner and social after the trip (2 times)
Monday the 22th of May and Monday the 29th of May
Closing dinner
Monday the 29th of May
ESR WORKLOAD
In the 7 weeks prior to the trip there will be a lecture (5-7pm), dinner (7-9pm) and a social (9pm onwards) every Monday which you will be expected to attend. In the lectures we will discuss how to conduct research, there will be presentations by the various subgroups, guest lectures about the Hungarian culture and several workshops. The dinners and socials are a great way to get to know everyone. Next to these activities you are expected to actually prepare your specific research together with your subgroup, which will mostly be done during the preparatory phase of the trip. In total, ESR will cost you about 6-10 hours per week.
ESR Research
MAIN RESEARCH THEME: THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES IN THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE OF HUNGARY.
How is sustainability implemented in the business world of Hungary?
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the business world in Budapest and Hungary as a whole. Many companies are recognizing the need to adopt environmentally friendly practices and reduce their carbon footprint. The Hungarian government has also implemented various initiatives to promote sustainability and encourage businesses to adopt sustainable practices. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards renewable energy in Hungary, with investments in wind, solar, and hydropower projects. Companies are investing in energy-efficient technologies and waste reduction through recycling programs and sustainable waste management practices. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of sustainability in the business world in Budapest. Some companies may be reluctant to invest in sustainability initiatives due to the high costs involved, while others may not fully understand the benefits. Nevertheless, as awareness of the importance of sustainability continues to grow, it is likely that more companies will adopt sustainable practices in the future.
In this research, sustainability is discussed in the broadest sense of the word. If companies want to thrive and prosper, they need to be sustainable in their way of managing their (human) resources, innovations, adaptation to the local business climate and their transformation to a more digital way of doing business. Sustainability refers to the integration of environmental, social, and economic considerations into the operations and decision-making processes of companies. This involves reducing negative impacts on the environment and society, while ensuring long-term financial viability. Companies in Hungary are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability, both for the good of the planet and for their own competitiveness in a rapidly changing business environment.
To conduct research on the research theme ‘’the implementation of sustainability practices in the business landscape of Hungary’’ you will be divided into five subgroups. In these subgroups you will investigate research questions and conduct research specific to your subject. Every subtheme is linked to the main research theme. During the lectures and the preparations, you will get the chance to acquire the necessary skills to conduct business research and to come up with a theoretical framework and conceptual model. Together with your subgroup you will discuss your findings during the lectures and get the chance to get feedback from either the committee or the professors. The final product will include advice from every group to the companies. All companies we visit in Budapest will receive your report. With the main research theme in mind, we have established five sub themes by which we want to investigate our main research theme in a more detailed manner. The five subthemes are foreign direct investment, innovation, export, human resource, and the value chain of businesses.
- Foreign direct investment
By focusing on foreign direct investment in Hungarian businesses, you dive into the sustainability factors that are implemented in doing foreign direct investment. Besides market share, political/economic stability and free trade zones, sustainability in FDI becomes increasingly important with emphasis on sustainable investment that is greener, promotes quality jobs & upskilling, improves gender equality, and contributes to a more productive and innovative economy.
- Innovation
Regarding the subtheme innovation, the focus lies on sustainability in innovation in the Hungarian businesses. Sustainable innovation involves making intentional changes to a company's products, services, or processes to generate long-term social and environmental benefits while creating economic profits for the firm. It entails improving business operations to become more efficient, with a goal of dramatically reducing costs and waste.
- Export
When studying sustainability in export practices you dive into international trade of firms and study on how to enhance sustainable practices regarding export. Sustainable trade is the exchange of goods and services that generate social and environmental benefits which go beyond the mere creation of economic value. Sustainable trade also promotes the preservation and reuse of environmental resources or reduces poverty and inequality. As the production and transport of these goods and services has a significant impact on the environment it is important to promote and incorporate best practices in the production and sale of these goods and services and promote sustainable trade.
- Human resource
Human resources are the most valuable resource in an organization. One should manage their human resources incredibly well in order to thrive as this intangible resource is rather scarce. Considering sustainability as the main theme, sustainable human resource management is concerned with achieving strategic outcomes, which include positive financial, human and social, and ecological outcomes. HR is crucial in aiding in the technological and cultural changes needed to foster the sustainability goals of their organization.
- Value chain
Companies focus on a sustainable value chain when they strive to minimize environmental impact while benefiting communities and people. It is a concept that focuses on global issues such as human rights, global warming and melting ice caps, fair labor practices, marine pollution, decreases of forest cover, plastic pollution, air pollution, etc. Companies that focus on sustainable value chain strive towards strategic goals that considers the environmental and human impact they have on global issues
ESR Partners:
