Brussels, 1st April 2026

Dear EIASM Friends and Colleagues,

It is with great sadness that I write to you on behalf of the Board of EIASM to inform you of the closure of our long-established and glorious Institute.

Over the past 55 years, EIASM has played a pivotal role in shaping European management research. It has actively supported the growth and advancement of numerous scholarly European Associations. The EAA, EURAM, EUROMA, EMAC, EIBA, EFA, and EDAMBA have each matured into strong, independent organisations also thanks to the EIASM enduring contribution and support.

In parallel, the Institute has made a significant, lasting impact on thousands of management scholars across Europe, cultivating vibrant peer networks and academic 'families', while strongly fostering research and its evolution in the field of management studies widely conceived and also in an interdisciplinary perspective.

The closure of EIASM resulted from severe financial pressure. Unfortunately, there was a lack of reliable, timely, and transparent financial information disclosed to the Board, including the undersigned, who was appointed President on 22 January 2026.

The Board became progressively aware of a financial situation that was significantly worse than previously understood and shown. As a result, the Board unanimously decided to terminate the contract of the Executive Director on 12 February 2026.

Concomitantly, to ensure a smooth transition, Ms Nicole Coopman, the former EIASM Executive Director, was asked to serve as a special interim administrative support with a direct report to the Board, which expresses its gratitude for her service to EIASM.

Since that time, the Board, in collaboration with EIASM staff, key stakeholders and legal counsel, has worked tirelessly to explore all possibilities to ensure the continuity of the Institute. This has proven to be impossible and EIASM legally had no choice than to discontinue its operations and go into voluntary bankruptcy on Wednesday 1st of April 2026.

The Board engaged in detailed negotiations with each of the scholarly Associations in search of a new and sustainable strategy for the continuation of EIASM. Unfortunately, the worse than initially perceived financial position and the lack of financial support in this time of crisis, could not ensure the feasibility of a viable strategy.

The Board is extraordinarily disappointed not to be able to pursue a way forward for the Institute.

Accordingly, we invite the faculty leaders to consider how their EIASM workshops, seminars, and conferences might continue.

A long, outstanding, impactful, and distinctively European scientific journey has concluded. It is a heartfelt hope of the Board that these scholarly activities will continue in the near future.

Prof. Stefano Zambon

EIASM President on behalf of the EIASM Board

 

EIASM Board Members:

Prof. Kirsimarja Blomqvist

Prof. Anette Boom

Prof. Chris Carter

Prof. Gerardine Doyle

Prof. Paolo Quattrone

Prof. Luk Warlop

Prof. Stefano Zambon