Welcome to NBM2027
Ghent University, Belgium
30 June 2027: Doctoral Colloquium
1 and 2 July 2026: Conference Dates
For the 12th International Conference on New Business Models, we welcome researchers and practitioners with an interest in new business models at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Ghent University, Belgium.
The 2027 edition places a strong emphasis on tackling real-life challenges, positioning business models as actionable levers for building a healthy, digitalized, and circular world. More than ever, the NBM2027 conference seeks to bridge the gap between practical relevance and theoretical advances, highlighting solutions that operate effectively within complex, real-world environments.
Building a Healthy World
Rising health challenges—from aging populations to mental health and environmental risks—require rethinking how value is created in health systems. New business models enable more inclusive, sustainable, and preventive approaches. The 2027 NBM conference explores how these models can build healthier societies by integrating economic viability with societal impact across organisational, sectoral, and system levels.
Building a Digitalized World
As digital technologies—from AI to data ecosystems and smart infrastructures—reshape society, the challenge is to ensure they create meaningful value. Business model innovation is key to developing digital systems that are not only efficient, but also trustworthy, inclusive, and aligned with societal goals. The conference examines how new business models can drive responsible digital transformation across ecosystems.
Building a Circular World
Resource depletion and environmental pressures demand a shift in how value is created across production and consumption systems. New business models support circular and regenerative approaches by reducing waste, extending product lifecycles, and closing material loops. The conference explores how these models align economic performance with environmental sustainability across organisational, sectoral, and system levels.
The NBM2027 conference ultimately aims to foster a space where ideas are not only presented, but actively challenged and refined. Participants are invited to share and receive constructive feedback on their research projects. At the same time, the conference emphasizes collective learning through open dialogue and interdisciplinary exchange, encouraging participants to engage in a joint research project that can drive meaningful transformation.
We look very much forward to collaboratively advance actionable knowledge for building a healthy, digitalized, and circular world in Ghent, Belgium!
Prof. dr. Katrien Verleye, Prof. dr. Geert Poels and Prof. dr. Kaat De Pourcq.
