Rico Baldegger, PhD

Biography

Professor Baldegger's extensive professional experience, including leadership roles in human resources, IT, and branding, and his entrepreneurial ventures in Europe and the US highlight his versatility and broad expertise. His tenure as the CEO of a management consultancy and his current service on several boards of directors and as a business angel further underscore his leadership in the field. His prolific authorship, with over a hundred publications and several best-selling books, is a testament to his thought leadership. His latest book on the Future of Business Schools, a best-seller, significantly contributes to the field. His research, which focuses on entrepreneurs' innovation processes, the internationalization of start-ups and SMEs, new venture creation, and growth management, further demonstrates his influence in the business landscape.

Dr. Baldegger is known for his strategic thinking and ability to innovate within global contexts. He regularly delivers lectures and keynotes across Europe, the USA, Singapore, and Australia, sharing insights on strategic innovation and global business trends. He has spoken multiple times at the United Nations for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day, particularly addressing the connection between MSMEs and sustainability. His contributions underscore his commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and innovation in achieving sustainable development goals.

Professional Activities

• Co-editor of the ICSB ANNUAL Global Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Report June 27, 2024, ICSB.
• Conference Chair: Geneve Entrepreneurship Forum 26-29 June 2024
• Board member of the Insurance Broker Intermakler Ltd.
• President Board of Trustees Swiss Sustainability Foundation

Publications

Refereed Journal Articles

• Baldegger, R., ElTarabishy, A., & Alves, J. (2025). Geneva’s entrepreneurial ecosystem: From historical roots to a sustainable future. Journal of the International Council for Small Business.
• Caon, M., Panetti, E., Meier, E., & Baldegger, R. J. (2024). The dual effect of COVID-19: Diverse digitalization approaches in micro- and small businesses. Journal of the International Council for Small Business.
• McLaren, E., Salampasis, D., Busulwa, R., Baldegger, R. J., & Wild, P. (2024). Key stakeholders and their roles in modern slavery monitoring, detection and disclosure: A systematic literature review. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal.
• Bjelic, Z., Schmitt, C., & Baldegger, R. (2024). Exploring humane entrepreneurship implementation: Case study of a Swiss SME active in winter sports. Journal of the International Council for Small Business.
• Kariv, D., Baldegger, R. J., & Kashy-Rosenbaum, G. (2022). "All you need is... entrepreneurial attitudes": A deeper look into the propensity to start a business during COVID-19 through a gender comparison (GEM data). World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development.
• Kaasa, A., & Baldegger, R. (2022). Entrepreneurship and culture: What determines the differences within Switzerland? The Journal of Entrepreneurship, 31(3).
• Hervé, A., Schmitt, C., & Baldegger, R. (2022). Digitalization and internationalization of micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises: An overall conceptual process. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 3(4).
• McLaren, E. M., & Baldegger, R. (2021). Crowd funders’ motivations to support impact-oriented projects. Journal of the International Council for Small Business.
• Hervé, A., Schmitt, C., & Baldegger, R. (2020). Internationalization and digitalization: Applying digital technologies to the internationalization process of small and medium-sized enterprises. Technology Innovation Management Review.

Books:

• Baldegger, R. (2025). Management in a dynamic environment. (2nd ed.). Springer Gabler.
• Baldegger, R. (2024). Le management dans un environnement dynamique: Concepts, méthodes et outils (2nd ed.). De Boeck Supérieur.
• Baldegger, R. J., El Tarabishy, A., Audretsch, D. B., Kariv, D., Passerini, K., & Tan, W.-L. (Eds.). (2022). The future of business schools: Purpose, action, and impact. Edward Elgar Publishing.
• GEM 2021/22 Women’s Entrepreneurship Report: From Crisis to Opportunity
• November 2022 Publisher: Global Entrepreneurship Research Association, London Business School, Regents Park, London NW1 4SA, UK

Book Chapters:

• Baldegger, R. (2024). School for Business and Society – Societal Impact and AACSB Accreditation. In ICSB Annual Global Micro-, Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises Report.
• Baldegger, R. (2023). The innovation capability of SMEs and empowering leadership. In ICSB Annual Global Micro-, Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises Report.
• Filion, L. J., & Baldegger, R. J. (2023). Elmar Mock, from the Swatch to Creaholic: Inventor, intrapreneur and entrepreneur. In Agents of Innovation (pp. 143-167). Emerald Publishing Limited.
• Baldegger, R., Wild, P., & Schueffel, P. (2021). The effects of entrepreneurial orientation in a digital and international setting. In A. C. Corbett, P. M. Kreiser, L. D. Marino, & W. J. Wales (Eds.), Entrepreneurial orientation: Epistemological, theoretical, and empirical perspectives. Emerald Publishing Limited.
• Baldegger, R., & Wild, P. (2022). Early and rapid or late and slow? Path dependency caused by age at internationalization. In International Leadership: Effecting Success Across Borders in a Boundaryless. Springer Gabler.
• Baldegger, R. J. (2021). Speed and resilience of MSMEs in global markets. In ICSB Annual Global Micro-, Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises Report (pp. 89–95). ICSB
• Baldegger, R. (2020). Corporate governance in international high-tech startups. In M. Hilb (Ed.), Governance of ventures: The role of venture boards, entrepreneurs, and investors in entrepreneurial value creation. Haupt Verlag.

Teaching Cases:

• Baldegger, R., Zurkinden, L. (2024). Minerva and Montblanc: Technical Innovation and Branding in the Swiss Luxury Watch Industry, Case Centre HEC Montreal/Harvard Business Publishing Education.
• Gaudard, R. Baldegger, R. (2023). Liip: How a Web Development Company Was Transformed by Holacracy. Case Centre HEC Montreal/Harvard Business Publishing Education.
• Baldegger, R., Biscaro, M. (2022). How a Startup Is Putting the Running Shoe Industry Back On Track, Case Centre HEC Montreal/Harvard Business Publishing Education.
• Zurkinden, L., Baldegger, R. (2022). Dartfish: how a university spin-off became a global leader in video analysis solutions. Case Centre HEC Montreal/Harvard Business Publishing Education.

Media Highlights

2022: 5th ICSB World Congress. Speech at the US Congress Rayburn House. Sustainability squared – the high impact SMEs can have in sustainable markets.

Awards & Honors

• 2022, JICSB Best Paper award at the World Congress held in Washington D.C (USA).
• Leader of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Switzerland until 2024, Public Grants
• Leader of the survey on Internationalization of SME/Swiss International entrepreneurship (SIES) until 2024, Public Grants
• 2020, Wilford L. White Fellow @ ICSB