How do you lead a business through constant change? NEWTON University connects research and practice internationally

Digitalisation, the rise of artificial intelligence and rapid technological change are reshaping the business landscape. How can organisations survive and maintain a competitive edge in such a dynamic environment? Academics from NEWTON University travelled to Slovakia to explore these questions.

Strategic plans can now become outdated before they are even put into practice. This challenge prompted Dr Petra Přibilová and Dr Martin Cenek of NEWTON University to explore organisational resilience in an era of digital disruption. Through the Erasmus+ programme, they undertook a five-day research and teaching visit to the Faculty of Business Economics of the University of Economics in Bratislava, based in Košice.

Three pillars of effective education: teaching, research and collaboration

The visit brought together three areas that often operate separately within universities. The academic programme explored how to navigate uncertainty, critically evaluate data and make a convincing case for key management decisions. Discussions included how businesses can respond to increasingly volatile market conditions as AI analytics tools advance rapidly, including those used by major global consulting firms.

To explore these complex issues, the academics drew on approaches such as case studies and simulation-based learning. In practice, this could involve an interactive simulation in which changing market conditions are directly linked to a company’s strategic decisions. Students can then practise strategic analysis and develop strategies in response to an evolving market.

The visit also went beyond theoretical discussion. Meetings with representatives of the host faculty identified several concrete opportunities for both institutions:

• Collaboration on research projects and academic publications.
• Joint participation in international research funding calls.
• The development of shared study modules.
• Further exchanges for academics and students in both directions.
• Bringing the latest research findings directly into teaching.

New modules and opportunities to study in Slovakia

The visit’s most significant outcome is a solid foundation for long-term collaboration. This will be coordinated through the International Institute of Applied Management (IAMI), which operates at NEWTON University under the leadership of Dr Martin Cenek.

International academic visits offer much more than professional development for individual staff members. Students stand to benefit most. Following the visit to Slovakia, NEWTON University is developing a new suite of modules built around these approaches. The academics also agreed on a direct exchange arrangement that will enable NEWTON students to study at the Slovak faculty.

A strong rapport between the partners helped move the collaboration forward. “What I value most is our Slovak partners’ expertise and enthusiasm. This made it very easy to find common ground and develop innovative approaches to joint research and improvements in teaching,” says Dr Martin Cenek, reflecting on the visit.