Björn Rietdijk

Björn Rietdijk is a researcher at the Business Innovation Knowledge Center of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. His work focuses on strategic management and innovation within SMEs, particularly in the Rotterdam manufacturing industry. He contributes to improving the performance and transformation of small and medium enterprises through his research on leadership, digitalization, and circular economy principles.

Björn completed his Master's in Business Administration (Strategy) at the University of Amsterdam in 2018, focusing on individual dynamic capabilities, positive emotions, and change readiness. Since then, he has worked as a researcher at the Business Innovation Knowledge Center, where he has been involved in several funded research projects including SIA Raak MKB projects like Get Smart, Industry4.0@YourService, More with Less in Manufacturing Industry, and The Crucial Role of the Leader.

His research interests span strategic management, innovation capacity, cognition, paradoxes, and business model portfolio management. Björn's work particularly focuses on how SMEs can navigate the challenges of digital transformation and transition to circular business models. His research examines the critical role of leadership in shaping innovation culture within organizations, especially in family-owned businesses where the owner's vision significantly influences the company's innovative capacity.

An analysis of Björn's recent publications reveals a strong focus on digital servitization, dynamic capabilities in SMEs, and managing competing institutional logics. His work bridges theoretical concepts with practical applications for manufacturing SMEs, with particular attention to how leadership approaches influence innovation capacity. The research shows a progression from examining individual dynamic capabilities to exploring organizational paradoxes and business model innovation in the context of digital transformation.

Björn is actively involved in educational initiatives as a graduation advisor for Business Administration, Global Marketing & Sales, and Finance programs. He also serves as an expert and advisor for the Minor Business Transformation in a Digital Economy and the Living Lab Schiedistrict.

His current research projects include:

• More with Less: Investigating how circular business model portfolio management can be applied within the Rotterdam manufacturing industry
• The Crucial Role of the Leader: Developing a diagnostic tool to help entrepreneurs gain insight into their strategic leadership
• Industry4.0@YourService: Research into how regional SMEs can innovate and transform their business models
• Living Lab Schiedistrict: Accelerating learning and innovation among companies, employees, and students in the SchieDistrict