Antwerp, Belgium, November 15th-17th, 2026

Effectuation theory and practice continue to inspire a global community of researchers, educators, and practitioners who study, teach, practice, and support entrepreneurship under uncertainty. Building on ten years of lively and highly interactive gatherings, we invite you to join us for the 11th Effectuation Conference on November 15-17, 2026, hosted by the University of Antwerp (Antwerp, Belgium) and co-branded with ECSB.

As we mark a quarter-century since Saras Sarasvathy’s Academy of Management Review article “Effectuation and Causation,” this year’s conference theme is:

“Effectuation: The Next 25 Years”

The theme is intended less to constrain what participants submit and more to orient keynote and plenary conversations—and to provide shared prompts for pod discussions—as we take stock of the past 25 years of scholarship, pedagogy, and application and consider where effectuation can go next. Among others, we will explore questions such as:

• What are the most important open research questions for effectuation research over the next 25 years?

• Where should effectuation theory expand, sharpen its boundaries, or integrate with other perspectives in entrepreneurship scholarship—and where should it remain distinct?

• What new settings (ecosystems, corporations, the public sector, NGOs, …) require new constructs or principles—and which core ideas travel well?

• Where do effectuation and other pedagogies overlap, complement, or contradict (e.g., design thinking, lean startup, the business model canvas, discovery vs. creation, …)?

• How can we better connect effectuation scholarship on interaction and stakeholder commitments with practical approaches that entrepreneurs—and educators—can actually use?

• What is the role of effectuation in public policy, entrepreneurship support, and ecosystem development—what can it realistically deliver?

• How does effectuation operate inside established organizations (intrapreneurship, innovation units, public agencies), and what changes when commitments are bureaucratic or political?

Co-branded with ECSB and scheduled in tandem with the RENT Conference, the 2026 Effectuation Conference will take place in Antwerp, Belgium. 

In the tradition of Effectuation Conference in past years, the format will offer plenary sessions as well as small group research and practice “pods” where your submissions can be developed into full-fledged research articles and teaching materials. We will, of course, also enjoy the “effectual” dinner and debrief.

Conference Venue:

The conference will take place in the city campus of the University of Antwerp: Hof van Liere, Prinsstraat 13

For more information about Antwerp, click here. 

Accommodation and Transportation Information:

Information about lodging near the RENT conference or with conference rates available and specific information about transit and accomodations for Effectuation 2026 will be provided later.

Program:

The conference will consist of two full days scheduled for November 16th-17th, 2026 (09h00-17h00). We will have an informal reception on Sunday November 15th 17h00 and a conference dinner on Monday November 16th. Please make travel travel and accommodation arrangements accordingly. A detailed program is available will be available soon.

Keynote Speaker information coming soon.

Call For Papers/Submissions:

Access the call for papers announcement and submission form here including information about the Effectuation Doctoral Research Alliance.

Registration for Accepted Submissions

Registration fee (accepted authors) = 250 EUR; ECSB members enjoy a reduced rate of 220 EUR; doctoral students accepted to the Effectuation Doctoral Research Alliance  = 150 EUR.

Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation. To keep the interactive and community atmosphere of the previous conference, acceptances will be limited to 75 participants (or space limitations)

If you have been accepted to the conference you will be provided with a registration link.

Refund Policy:

100% up to one month before the conference.
50% up to two weeks before the conference.
No refunds provided less than two weeks from the conference.

Important Deadlines:

Paper submission:    May 15, 2026
Author notification:     July 31, 2026
Registration opens:    August 15, 2026
Registration closes:    September 30, 2026

We hope our intense, but rewarding program encourages you to come join us. We look forward to seeing you in Antwerp!

The Organizing Committee