Sybe Stuij

Sybe Stuij serves as a lecturer-researcher at the Business Innovation Knowledge Center and as a core lecturer in the Business Administration MER (IBK) program at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. He has held these positions since March 2015 and October 2012 respectively, establishing himself as a bridge between academic research and practical business application.

Stuij's research primarily focuses on:

• Mergers and Acquisitions, with special attention to soft success and failure factors
• Strategic decision-making processes for SME entrepreneurs
• Organizational culture integration during business transitions
• Leadership approaches in merger and acquisition contexts
• Corporate social responsibility considerations in business integration

His signature contribution is the "Soft Due Diligence Check," a framework that helps SMEs conduct more successful mergers and acquisitions by addressing overlooked human and cultural factors. This research addresses critical gaps in current M&A practice where attention to soft factors like organizational cultures, leadership styles, and change readiness often takes a backseat to financial considerations.

Within the educational sphere, Stuij is deeply involved with the Business Administration program curriculum development. The program emphasizes the business administrator as a change agent, with students engaging directly with Rotterdam SMEs to advise on current business challenges. Stuij's research expertise significantly informs this practical educational approach, creating a synergistic relationship between his teaching and research activities.

Stuij's professional philosophy centers on "bringing the human touch back to major strategic themes," seeking to understand how organizations can pursue opportunities while adequately addressing implications at both individual and group levels.