Research at International Business Research Groningen

International Business Research

International Business Research (IBR) is a study project associated with the University of Groningen, set up and executed by students from the Faculty of Economics and Business.

Welcome to
IBR Groningen

IBR focuses on Dutch companies that recognize opportunities and want to exploit these in the growing markets of Malaysia and Indonesia. We offer tailor-made research with an economic and business approach against cost price. These can vary from a general market analysis to a detailed partner analysis. Additionally, we can bring you into contact with relevant parties. Local students support the Dutch students to reach the right contacts.

For 36 years, we have provided advice to a wide range and variety of companies in taking market entry decisions and in exploiting opportunities in the respective country. In the general preparation phase, we will, together with your company, elaborate on these objectives. By doing so, we provide your company with a refreshing, innovative and unbiased look at company-specific research cases abroad. Are you interested in what IBR can do for you? Contact us.

Local Student Consultant Project is a unique aspect

The Local Student Consultant Project is a unique aspect of IBR which involves a cooperation between our researchers of the University of Groningen and students of a local university. The goal of this project is to deliver additional value to the conducted research projects. This is created with the knowledge of our researchers combined with that of local students. Especially, their knowledge in doing business in the destination country, overcoming cultural differences, as well as overcoming language barriers are valuable contributions. The Local Student Consultant Project is established in the following manner. Every research pair, consisting of two Dutch students, is coupled with one local student. The local student will support the research pair during the preliminary research as well as the field research. During the preliminary research in the Netherlands, local students will spent approximately two hours on the research per week. Their contribution will mainly consist of arranging appointments on site. Besides, intensive contact about the progress of the research will be maintained.

History

The initiative of the University of Groningen in which research trips are offered to companies already exists for more than 35 years. International Business Research has its origin in 1988. At that time, the student association BIG of the Faculty of Business was the first student association in the Netherlands that organised a research trip to an emerging market outside of Europe. This project, at that time, was called ‘International Study Project’. This first project went to two destinations; Indonesia and Singapore. Every year the ISP departed with one group of 20 senior students who conducted tailor-made research in pairs of two. They were selected based on their skills, motivation, and academic results. During the project, two professors and a varied Board of Recommendation, consisting of people from the business world, secured the quality. In total the BIG organised 19 trips.