• The Effectuation Conference will address the issues of researching and teaching effectuation as well as a combination of interactive seminars on teaching and research, small research clinics where papers are discussed, and workshops.  

    This will be hosted by the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and University of Baltimore with hosts, Saras Sarasvathy of the Darden School of Business, Stuart Read of Willamette University, and David Lingelbach and Tiago Ratinho of the University of Baltimore.

  • Menu

    The 2018 Effectuation Conference will be comprised of the following events:

    • Social Entrepreneurship Conference (Baltimore, Maryland, 31 May – 1 June 2018)
    • Darden Showcase (Charlottesville, Virginia, 2 June 2018) *The Darden Showcase is a general session showcasing effectuation open to Darden and UVA alumni, as well as the Charlottesville community. 
    • Traditional Research Conference (Charlottesville, Virginia, 3 – 4 June 2018)

    For a complete schedule of these events, please refer to the Programs section. 

    Invitation & Call for Papers

    After many years of gracious hosting outside the United States (thank you to all the various self-selected stakeholders), the 5th International Effectuation Conference will be coming home to Darden. In addition to a traditional research conference format at Darden (3 – 4 June), this event will feature two new elements of effectuation in social entrepreneurship (31 May – 1 June) to be held in Baltimore, Maryland, and a general session showcasing effectuation (2 June) in Charlottesville, Virginia, both of which will address effectuation in new ways. Participants are encouraged to attend the entire conference or select from different elements, based on time and interest.

    If you are interested in submitting a paper for the traditional research conference, please visit the Paper Submissions section.

    Important Deadlines

    • Paper submission (only for Traditional Research Conference, 3 June – 4 June): 9 January 2018  
    • Author notification (only for Traditional Research Conference, 3 June – 4 June): 1 March 2018  
    • Registration opens (all three elements of the conference): 15 March 2018 

    Previous Conferences

    • The fourth Effectuation Conference took place in 6 – 7 June 2016 in Bodø, Norway, hosted by The University of Nordland Business School. Our hosts were Gry Agnete Alsos and Sølvi Solvoll (University of Nordland Business School). The organizing team also included René Mauer (ESCP Europe Berlin), Tiago Ratinho (University of Baltimore), Philippe Silberzahn (EMLYON), and last but not least our ever committed stakeholders Stuart Read (Willamette University) and Saras Saravasthy (Darden School of Business).
    • The third Effectuation Conference took place on 8 – 9 December 2014 in Enschede, the Netherlands. It was hosted by the Netherlands Institute for Knowledge Intensive Entrepreneurship (NIKOS) at the University of Twente and organized by Jeroen Kraaijenbrink (University of Twente) and Tiago Ratinho (University of Baltimore).
    • The second Effectuation Conference took place on 3 – 4 June 2013 in Lyon, France, and was hosted by EMLYON Business School. It was organized by Philippe Silberzahn (EMLYON Business School) and Jeroen Kraaijenbrink (University of Twente).
    • The first Effectuation Conference took place on 5 – 6 December 2011 in Lyon, France, and was hosted by EMLYON Business School. It was organized by Philippe Silberzahn (EMLYON Business School) and Sylvain Bureau (ESCP Europe).
    • Ground Zero, the original effectuation workshop took place on 7 – 8 December 2009 at Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School (now Vlerick Business School). It was organized by Miguel Meuleman (Vlerick Business School) and Jan Lepoutre (now at ESSEC).

    Contact Information

    For more information, please email us at effectuation@darden.virginia.edu or visit www.effectuation.org.

    Below you will find the tentative program for the 2018 Effectuation Conference. Please note that this program is subject to change. 

    Social Effectuation
    31 May – 1 June | Baltimore, Maryland

    Thursday, 31 May

    Timing Activity Location
    5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Opening reception: Snacks provided at the University of Baltimore (UB) overlooking midtown Baltimore. Our hosts will be Darlene Smith, UB’s Provost, and Marilyn Oblak, Associate Dean of UB’S Merrick School of Business. UB Law School, 12th floor


    Friday, 1 June

    Timing Activity Location
    8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Introduction (including breakfast)- Welcome remarks from the Effectuation Conference organizers, the UB’s president, Kurt Schmoke, and a short keynote by Professor Dan Hatcher of UB’s Law School on the interplay between crime and commerce in Baltimore. UB Merrick School of Business
    9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Head out into the community for a half-day of problem identification and brainstorming possible solutions, using effectuation as our lens with Will Holman (Executive Director, Open Works) and Chris Wilson (Founder, Barclay Investment Corporation)
    		 Open Works and Barclay Investment Corporation
    10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Solution development (including lunch) UB Merrick School of Business
    2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Coffee break  
    3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Debrief UB Merrick School of Business
    4:30 p.m. Buses depart for Charlottesville- Academic colleagues will then depart by bus for Charlottesville and the rest of the conference.                                                 
    		 *Bus transportation will be provided from Baltimore, Maryland to Charlottesville, Virginia



    Darden Showcase
    Saturday, 2 June | Charlottesville, Virginia

    Timing Activity Speaker
    8:30 a.m. Welcome and Story of Effectuation Saras Sarasvathy
    9:45 a.m. Current State of Effectuation Stuart Read
    10:15 a.m.Welcome Home to Darden Sean Carr 
    10:30 a.m. Break  
    11:00 a.m. Entrepreneurs on Effectuation  Facilitated by Saras Sarasvathy
    11:30 a.m. Effectual Investing Rob Wiltbank
    12:00 p.m. Lunch (with keynote) Doug Lebda
    1:30 p.m. Effectuation Around the Globe Facilitated by Saras Sarasvathy
     100OpenStartups in Brazil +Bruno Rondani 
     Training the trainer in EuropeRene Mauer and Michael Faschingbauer
     EPIC peer coaching in IndiaManjula Shridar and Prasanna Krishnamoorthy 
     Corporate Effectuation: Swimming with the sharksSara Whiffen 
    3:00 p.m. Break  
    3:30 p.m.Facilitated Discussion with audience Venkat Venkataraman 
    4:30 p.m. Closing remarks Saras Sarsavathy and Venkat Venkataraman
    5:00 p.m. Break
    6:00 p.m. Evening Event at Darden
    Note: This event is both the close of the general meeting and the start of the traditional research conference    		  
    7:00 p.m. Dinner with Research Highlights from Conference  Facilitated by Stuart Read and Saras Sarasvathy


    Bringing Effectuation Home to Darden
    3 June – 4 June | Charlottesville, Virginia

    Sunday, 3 June

    Timing Activity Speaker
    8:30 a.m. State of Effectuation Stuart Read & Saras Sarasvathy
    9:15 a.m. Debrief on Baltimore David Lingelbach & Tiago Ratinho
    10:00 a.m. Break  
    10:30 a.m. Pods (research and pedagogy) Small groups
    12:00 p.m. Lunch and activity  
    1:00 p.m. Research Keynote Sankaran Venkataraman
    2:30 p.m. Break  
    3:00 p.m. Pods (research and pedagogy) Small groups
    4:30 p.m. Effectual dinner  
    8:00 p.m. Effectual music  

     
    Monday, 4 June

    Timing Activity Speaker
    9:00 a.m. Debrief on dinner & music Stuart Read & Saras Sarasvathy
    10:30 a.m. Break  
    11:00 a.m. Pods (research and pedagogy) Small groups
    12:30 p.m. Lunch  
    1:30 p.m. Teaching Keynote iKen
    3:00 p.m. Break  
    3:30 p.m. Observer observations Young Scholars (report out on the conference)
    4:30 p.m. Closing activity with artifacts Saras Sarasvathy
    5:00 p.m. Reception and optional dinner  
       

    For Darden Alumni and the Charlottesville Community (For the Darden Showcase-June 2, 2018)

    Registration is currently open. Please use the registration form linked below to sign up for the conference.The deadline to register is 10 May.


    For Effectuation Scholars and Researchers

    If you wish to participate in the Traditional Research Conference on 3-4 June 2018, use this form to submit your paper. A separate registration form will be provided to those who have submitted papers. If you are not submitting a paper, but would like to attend and observe please email effectuation@darden.virginia.edu.

    Please note that there is no registration fee to attend, however, lodging and travel are at the participant's cost, other than bus transportation provided from Social Effectuation in Baltimore, Maryland to Charlottesville, Virginia the evening of 1 June.

    If you wish to participate in the Traditional Research Conference on 3-4 June 2018, please use this form to submit your paper.

    Present Your Work 

    We invite participants with a research interest, a teaching interest and/or an interest in practical application to present their work.

    Primary interest in research:

    • Required to present a working paper
    • Work will be discussed in small groups in dedicated workshop sessions

    Primary interest in teaching and/or practice:

    • Require participants to present a description or design of a practice they have used or are considering
    • Work will be discussed in interactive sessions in which the various practices are shared between participants

    Paper Submission 

    Research orientation:

    Submit an academic paper or extended abstract.

    • Submission must be at least seven pages, but maximum 30 pages
    • Papers can be fully developed, but we particularly encourage the submission of working papers that can benefit from our interactive workshop format

    Teaching and practice orientation:

    Submit at least a three-page description or design of a practice you have used or are planning to use.

    • Can be a teaching practice, a tool, an intervention design or a (consulting) case
    • Describe your experiences and list potential questions that you may have for discussing

    *Lodging and travel at participant's cost, other than bus transportation provided from Baltimore, Maryland to Charlottesville, Virginia the evening of 1 June.

    2 June – 4 June
    2018 Darden Showcase and Traditional Research Conference in Charlottesville, Virginia

    Hotel

    To make a self-pay reservation in one of our four room blocks:

    Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Charlottesville VA: 1.7miles (2.7km)/ 8min. drive

    $125.00 per room, per night.

    Booking Deadline: 24 May 2018

    To make a reservation online, go to countryinns.com, fill out the appropriate fields, enter promotional code '060118'.  Select from available room types then proceed to make your reservation.  

      Homewood Suites by Hilton Charlottesville, VA: 2.3miles (3.7km)/ 10min. drive

      $199.00 per room, per night.  

      Booking Deadline: 1 May 2018

      To make a reservation online, visit the hotel website, click add special rate code and enter group code, ECO, when searching for availability.  

      To make a reservation by phone, dial 1.434.244.6200, reference the group name, Effectuation Conference 2018 

      Hyatt Place Charlottesville (*Only reservations 6/3/18 - 6/5/18): 2.2miles (3.5km)/ 9min. drive

      $129.00 per room, per night. 

      Booking Deadline: 3 May 2018  

      To make an internet reservation, visit the reservation link, select dates 6/3/18 - 6/5/18 and check availability.  

      To make a reservation by phone, dial 800.993.4751 and mention the group code G-EC68 or the dates (6/3/18-6/5/18) and name (Effectuation Conference). 

      Residence Inn Charlottesville Downtown: 2.6miles (4.2km)/ 13min. drive

      $249.00 per room, per night.

      Booking Deadline: 20 April 2018

      To make an internet reservation, visit book your group rate for Effectuation Conference 2018. 

      For additional hotel recommendations in the city of Charlottesville, please email effectuation@darden.virginia.edu.

      Transportation

      The majority of activities are planned to be held on Grounds at the Darden School of Business. Transportation will be provided to and from accommodations not on Darden Grounds.  

      Darden is located at 100 Darden Boulevard Charlottesville, Virginia 22903.

      Other Options to Consider

      31 May–1 June 2018
      Social Effectuation in Baltimore

      Hotels

      Transportation

      You can walk a mile or catch a ride to get to the University of Baltimore campus from downtown Baltimore.

      The Merrick School of Business is located at 11 West Mount Royal Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21201 (southeast corner of North Charles Street and Mount Royal Avenue).

      Other Options to Consider

      • If you are traveling by car, we have several public parking garages as well as street parking on campus. We recommend using the Fitzgerald Garage.

      • If you are traveling by bus, The Charm City Circulator, Purple Line is a great option. It is free and easily accessible from the downtown hotels.

      • If you are traveling by train, the campus is adjacent to the Penn Station, Baltimore train station. Both the Amtrak system and the Commuter Rail system called “MARC” are options. Both are easy to ride from Union Station in Washington, D.C. If you are arriving by train, you should arrive at Penn Station, Baltimore and then walk south on Charles Street one block to Mt. Royal Ave.

      • If you are traveling by Light Rail, the campus is conveniently located on  Baltimore’s Light Rail Line. Just go to the University of Baltimore/Mt. Royal Ave station. It has station stops at BWI Airport and downtown by the convention center and stadiums.

      • If you are traveling by plane, Baltimore Washington International / Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is the closest airport to campus. It is approximately 12 miles and 25 minutes away from campus. 

      Organizing Committee

      Stuart Read (Willamette University)
      Saras Sarasvathy (University of Virginia Darden School of Business)
      David Lingelbach (University of Baltimore)
      Tiago Ratinho (University of Baltimore)

      About Charlottesville

      Located two hours from Washington, D.C., Charlottesville is a lively university town situated at the foothills of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. Named "the happiest town in America" by London's The Guardian, Charlottesville is considered by many to be a foodie hot spot, the country's favorite mountain town (Travel & Leisure) and one of the happiest and healthiest U.S. cities, according to Business Insider. 

      The historic Downtown Mall is home to many of Charlottesville's premier restaurants, bars and music venues. Only minutes away, the quiet countryside boasts more than 30 wineries and craft breweries.

      The area is home to the nationally acclaimed Virginia Film Festival, Virginia Festival of the Book and the Festival of the Photograph. Nearby are the museum homes of three U.S. presidents (Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, James Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland and James Madison's Montpelier), abundant cultural attractions and some of the finest golf courses in the country. The terrain is also perfect for the outdoor enthusiast, with the Shenandoah National Park just a short drive away.

      For visitor and travel information, visit Charlottesville's official website.

      About the University of Virginia Darden School of Business 

      The University of Virginia Darden School of Business delivers the world’s best business education experience to prepare entrepreneurial, global and responsible leaders through its MBA, Ph.D. and Executive Education programs. Darden’s top-ranked faculty is renowned for teaching excellence and advances practical business knowledge through research. Darden was established in 1955 at the University of Virginia, a top public university founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

      About the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

      The Batten Institute at the Darden School of Business improves the world through entrepreneurship and innovation. The institute’s research initiative advances knowledge that addresses real-world challenges and shapes Darden’s curriculum, and its educational offerings are ranked top 10 in the world. The Batten Institute was established with gifts now totaling over $125 million from UVA alumnus Frank Batten Sr., a media pioneer, visionary and founder of The Weather Channel.

      About Baltimore

      Welcome to Baltimore! A port city with historical relevance and a lot of charm.

      Whether you are biking by the USS Constellation, singing the National Anthem at the Orioles game or visiting Edgar Allan Poe’s house, you can feel how deeply rooted the history of America is woven into the fabric of the city and its neighborhoods. There is so much to fill your days and nights with including exciting nightlife, top restaurants and memorable attractions. In addition, Baltimore continues to emerge as a “go-to” city for artisans and entrepreneurs. Our businesses are growing — think UnderArmour, Millennial Media, and Pandora. But most of all, Baltimore is a “college town” with 13 area colleges, educating approximately 120,000 students. Kiplinger magazine even called Baltimore “A Great City for College Grads” and Forbes called said it was one of the “Best Cities for Technology Jobs.”

      About the University of Baltimore

      The University of Baltimore was founded in 1925 as a private institution and transitioned to a State of Maryland public institution in 1975. Our founders were a group of Baltimore civic leaders and entrepreneurs who wanted to provide low-cost, part-time evening study in business and law for working adults. Their forward-thinking was innovative at the time. We are situated in the heart of Baltimore, just over a mile north of the famed Inner Harbor, one block south of Amtrak’s Penn Station, and one block east of Baltimore’s Light Rail trains. The campus is nestled in Midtown Baltimore and the Mt. Vernon Cultural District and is home to the  Merrick School of Business. Our entrepreneurial mindset did not stop with our founders, we were the first AACSB school in the world to offer a fully online MBA program in 1999, we have students and alumni who are growing businesses, some of whom have been aided by our Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and others got the “know-how” through the lessons taught by our highly accomplished faculty. The Merrick School of Business is located in an urban environment with access to startups, large corporations, nonprofits, government agencies and other universities. Being in the center of it all, allows us to offer our students a practical, career-minded and globally engaged business education that inspires professional and entrepreneurial growth. 

      Contact Information

      For more information email effectuation@darden.virginia.edu or visit www.effectuation.org.