Research Project & Theme

The students of the International Research Project conduct research projects at various companies in the Netherlands between December 2025 and June 2026. Through these projects, companies benefit from the expertise of master’s students in Innovation Management, Operations Management & Logistics, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science in Business & Entrepreneurship.

The theme of IRP 2026 is “Strategic Innovation in Emerging Economies: Balancing Sustainability, Technology, and Local Realities.” Strategic innovation plays a crucial role for organizations operating in dynamic and fast-changing environments. Companies are increasingly challenged to integrate technological advancements and sustainability goals while adapting to local economic, social, and institutional conditions. Emerging economies such as Brazil and Argentina provide a unique context in which these challenges and opportunities come together.

By combining company-based research with an international study trip, the IRP offers students and organizations valuable insights into how strategic innovation is shaped in practice. The research projects contribute to addressing real-world Industrial Engineering challenges, while the study tour deepens understanding through international and cross-cultural perspectives.

For questions or further information, please contact contracting.irp@industria.tue.nl.