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SBE Researchers Awarded in NWO SGW Open Competition XS

The School of Business and Economics (SBE) at Maastricht University proudly announces that all three research proposals submitted to the latest NWO SGW Open Competition XS have been awarded funding. This exceptional outcome highlights the high calibre of SBE research and its relevance to societal and economic challenges.

The NWO SGW Open Competition XS grants, valued at €50,000, support early-stage, high-potential social sciences and humanities projects. The XS programme aims to enable researchers to explore innovative ideas and develop proof-of-concept studies that may lead to larger-scale funding opportunities in the future.

The awarded projects span topics ranging from organisational adaptability in crisis to AI-driven decision-making in venture capital to global trade dependency. Below is an overview of the three successful proposals and their principal investigators.

From Crisis to Capability: Towards a Theory of Operational Repurposing

Dr. Diogo Cotta
Department of Organisation, Strategy & Entrepreneurship

This project investigates how organisations can swiftly adapt their operations to meet new demands in times of crisis, a phenomenon known as operational repurposing. Drawing on real-world examples from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as companies shifting production lines to manufacture hand sanitiser or ventilators, Dr. Cotta seeks to understand why some firms are more successful at repurposing than others. The research aims to develop a theoretical framework that offers practical insights for organisations and policymakers seeking to build resilience in uncertain environments.

Venture Capital Funding Meets AI: Redefining Biases in Investment Decisions

Dr. Simon Kleinert
Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management

Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing investment decisions in venture capital (VC). While AI has the potential to enhance objectivity, it may also introduce new biases or reinforce existing ones. Dr. Kleinert’s research examines two emerging decision-making pitfalls: the AI Overreliance Effect, where investors place too much trust in automated recommendations, and the AI Confirmation Trap, where AI tools support existing prejudices rather than challenge them. Through a combination of fieldwork with a VC fund and controlled laboratory experiments, this study contributes to the broader understanding of human-AI interaction and its implications for innovation financing.

Measuring Cross-Border Supply Chains and the External Economic Dependence of the Netherlands

Dr. Karsten Mau
Department of Economics

Recent global disruptions have underscored the vulnerabilities of fragmented international supply chains. Dr. Mau’s project addresses a critical knowledge gap: what specific goods are traded across borders, and for what purposes? Using advanced machine learning techniques on detailed trade transaction data, the research aims to map the input-output linkages that define cross-border supply chains. The findings will provide valuable insights into the Netherlands' economic dependencies and inform strategies to manage external risk exposure while maintaining the benefits of global trade integration.

Strengthening SBE’s research impact

This trio of awarded projects reflects SBE’s commitment to research excellence, societal relevance, and methodological innovation. Each project addresses a pressing issue within its field and demonstrates the forward-looking nature of research at the School of Business and Economics.

Congratulations to Dr. Diogo Cotta, Dr. Simon Kleinert, and Dr. Karsten Mau on this important recognition and on securing support to further advance their research. Their success also underlines the strategic importance of SBE’s focus on interdisciplinary, real-world impact across business, economics, and public policy.

NWO Grant Article Visual
Author: Lieve Otten

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