Center of International Business Research (HAN University of Applied Sciences)

HAN University of Applied Sciences’ Center of International Business Research (CIBR) is a practice-oriented research center within HAN’s International School of Business. It focuses on international business challenges and on supporting organizations, leaders, and educators as they navigate sustainability transitions. The center works with companies, knowledge institutions, universities, and other partners in the Netherlands and internationally. Its research is framed as applied and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on co-creating solutions that can be tested in real-world settings and translated into education and practice. Core Values Sustainability : Sustainability is central to the center’s mission, with research aimed at helping organizations embed more sustainable ways of working and operating. Collaboration : The center emphasizes co-creation with partners across sectors and geographies, treating collaboration as essential to meaningful change. Practical impact : Research is designed to be actionable, supporting measurable improvements in how organizations respond to complex transitions. Education through research : CIBR sees knowledge sharing as part of its responsibility, using research outputs to strengthen teaching and develop future professionals. Unique Aspects Living lab approach : CIBR explicitly positions itself as a living lab, allowing partners to experiment with and test solutions in a real-world research setting. International partner network : The center works with partners across Europe, the UK, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Asia, giving it a broad international reach. Strong university network : HAN’s International School of Business reports 125 partner universities across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and North America, which supports the center’s international collaboration. Cross-disciplinary sustainability agenda : The center’s research spans intercultural dynamics, organizational change, ecosystem transformation, and finance/economics, giving it a broad lens on sustainability transitions. Student engagement in research : CIBR actively involves students in research communication and publication, including award-winning student-led work that connects students to the center’s projects.