Josette Dijkhuizen’s inaugural lecture: critical events are critically important to the sustainable deployability of entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs are key drivers of the Dutch economy and theirs is a dynamic world: developments follow each other in rapid succession, and uncertainty is a constant. In her inaugural lecture on October 14, Endowed Professor Josette Dijkhuizen addresses the question what entrepreneurs need to hold their own in this environment throughout their working lives. Convinced as she is that entrepreneurial success hinges on personal development, she targets the psychological aspects of entrepreneurship.
In her research, Dijkhuizen focuses on critical events that could play a role in an entrepreneur’s personal or professional life. She explores how entrepreneurs deal with such events, how they impact on their success and well-being, timeout incidence, and intention to shut up shop altogether. Of special interest to her are possible differences between male and female entrepreneurs, because female entrepreneurs take more and longer timeouts.
Dijkhuizen’s research is at the interface of human resources, psychology, and economics. While in human resources there are many career studies and several theories about career evolution, the perspective is always that of staff, not of entrepreneurs. Dijkhuizen’s research aims to fill that gap in academic literature. The psychological dimension investigates how entrepreneurs respond to critical events and which tools they use in the process. And the economic angle studies the effect of those tools on entrepreneurial success. This angle not only considers objective indicators, such as revenue and profit, but also subjective factors, such as achieving personal goals or professional recognition.
“Being both an entrepreneur and Endowed Professor, I connect theory and practice in the field of entrepreneurship. For many years, I have dedicated my knowledge, experience, and network to the professional and personal development of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, as well as by launching innovative projects that have societal and economic value.”
About Josette Dijkhuizen
Josette Dijkhuizen is an entrepreneur and Endowed Professor of Entrepreneurship (Tilburg University). Connecting the theory and practice of entrepreneurship, she has set up businesses, written books, and given presentations all over the world. For example, Dijkhuizen founded Ondernemerschap in Bedrijf (entrepreneurship in business) to encourage internal entrepreneurship at organizations. Another well-known initiative is De Zakencoach (the business coach), the national network of entrepreneurial coaches. She served as the Dutch UN Women’s Representative, and as founder of the Stichting Krachtbedrijf (Power Business Foundation) she assists survivors of violence in setting up their own businesses. She recently launched Women4Women to enable female entrepreneurs from all over the world to connect and share knowledge. For her work, she has received several awards and honors. Her chair is sponsored by Movir.
Note to editors
Josette Dijkhuizen will deliver her inaugural lecture, titled De reis van de ondernemer: van start naar exit (The entrepreneur’s journey: from start to exit), in the Tilburg University Auditorium on Friday, October 14, 2022. The lecture will be live-streamed.
For more information or a PDF copy of the lecture (which is under embargo until Friday, October 14, 2022, 17:00 hrs), please send an email to persvoorlichters@tilburguniversity.edu or call 013 - 466 4000.
For more information about the inaugural lecture please send an email to Josette Dijkhuizen, c.j.m.dijkhuizen@tilburguniversity.edu or call 06 - 292 154 35.