Meet Abel Diaz Gonzalez, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Organization, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship at the School of Business Economics (SBE) at Maastricht University. His expertise revolves around delving into the vital role social entrepreneurial ecosystems play in fostering positive change.

This year, Abel has been allowed to be chair of the 2023 New Business Models (NBM) Conference. This annual series of conferences serves as an intellectual hub where experts and thought leaders come together to explore cutting-edge developments in business models.

Abel Diaz Gonzalez on the NBM Conference, the Conference Proceedings and Maastricht University Press

We asked Abel to reflect on the conference proceedings and the collaboration with Maastricht University Press. Here are three quotes that sum up the conversation well.

On organising conferences at Maastricht University:

Organising an academic conference brings numerous responsibilities, encompassing academic rigour, quality, and designing an enjoyable attendee experience for all participants. Juggling all these responsibilities simultaneously requires working with different units and people that provide their support and expertise in various topics, which are essential for pulling a successful and high-quality conference from A to Z.

 

On the NBM 2023 conference and the Conference Proceedings:

As the conference chair of the 8th New Business Models Conference, it was a wonderful experience to collaborate with Maastricht University Press, a new support unit within our university’s Open Science ecosystem.

Right from the outset, Maastricht University Press expressed keen interest in providing comprehensive support for the publication of this year’s conference proceedings. They excelled in their support throughout the entire publication process, from the initial phase of brainstorming about the compilation and peer review of authors’ contributions to exploring various possibilities to enhance the accessibility and visibility of the proceedings.

The academic community attending the conference greatly appreciated their efforts. The final product’s quality is outstanding, comparable to top conference proceedings. Some notable features include open access, easy navigation through a dedicated online catalogue, individual publication of full papers for improved visibility, and a user-friendly platform.

 

On Maastricht University Press:

One of the significant advantages of having our own publishing house at Maastricht University is the team’s expertise in open science and communication. I firmly believe that Maastricht University Press will soon emerge as an essential part of UM’s Open Science ecosystem.

 

Conclusion

In academia, effective communication plays a pivotal role in advancing research impact. Abel Diaz Gonzalez’s collaboration with Maastricht University Press to publish the proceedings of the NBM Conference exemplifies a commitment to disseminating transformative ideas and insights. This partnership amplifies academic visibility and fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation within the academic community.

We thank Abel for the trust placed in us and the risk taken by choosing a new publisher without a track record. And for the excellent collaboration, his always cheerful presence and his constructive feedback. This has helped us to make a new professionalisation approach with Maastricht University Press.

More information

Are you a UM researcher or teacher contemplating publishing an Open Access book (monograph or edited volume), textbook or conference proceeding? Please contact Michel Saive or Ron Aardening of Maastricht University Press, or visit maastrichtuniversitypress.nl for our first publications and your options.