As part of Vision 2030 objectives to grow community and content in support of its mission, AOM launched the Community Accelerator Program (CAP), a new initiative designed to expand access and strengthen institutional engagement in regions historically underrepresented in the global academic community.
Past President Peter Bamberger, who played a key role in launching the program during his term as president, sees the effort as a natural extension of AOM’s mission:
“Science is blind to national boundaries. So, when we developed AOM’s Vision 2030, one of our core ambitions was to make AOM truly global, not just in membership and where we hold our Annual Meetings, but in voice, access, and opportunity. CAP emerged from that vision to connect scholars, institutions, and ideas that had long been underrepresented in our community.”
-Peter Bamberger
This pilot program, supported by AOM volunteers and staff, is already underway with its inaugural cohort of ten partner institutions and associations across Southeast Europe.
Founding Participants
The Community Accelerator Program was developed in response to growing momentum among scholars in Southeast Europe who are eager to engage globally but often lack the same access or pathways available to institutions in more connected regions.
The initiative meets institutions where they are by responding to local needs and creating a framework for them to thrive on their own terms, supported by AOM’s global network.
The following founding institutions represent diverse contexts but share a common goal of advancing management scholarship in their region and connecting their faculty and students with global networks.
Founding participants include:
• International University of Sarajevo
• Montenegrin Academy of Management
• Slovenian Academy of Management
• Ss. Cyril and Methodius University
• The Croatian Academy of Management
• Turkish Academy of Management
• University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences
• University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics and Business
• University of Montenegro, Faculty of Economics
• University of Sarajevo
• University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism
Co-Creating Opportunities
The program offers tailored access to AOM resources, including faculty development opportunities, journal visibility, academic networking, and strategic support aligned with institutional and association goals. Each program is custom developed alongside regional leaders and scholars who understand what is needed to foster sustainable, long-term academic growth.
AOM President Tammy Madsen highlighted the deeper goal:
“The Community Accelerator Program is all about shared ownership. We want our partners to feel like co-creators of the program, not recipients of a template. The spirit of co-creation is possible because of our volunteers—AOM members who have stepped forward to mentor, plan sessions, provide workshops, and ensure the program reflects regional priorities and perspectives.”
Early Impact and Growing Momentum
Early responses from institutions and associations have been encouraging, with support from deans, scholars, and students who see the program as an opportunity to connect with AOM and shape how AOM engages with institutions globally.
The initiative is already fostering new peer learning networks across countries, with collaborations beginning to emerge among the first participating schools. At AOM’s Annual Meeting, in-person gatherings brought CAP partners together to share experiences and spotlight regional leadership.
Looking Ahead
The Community Accelerator Program is preparing for its next phase, building on early learnings and expanding AOM’s reach to additional global regions.
“What has been most inspiring is watching CAP take root and grow, building bridges across continents, strengthening local and regional schools, research centers and scholarly associations, and expanding the reach of management scholarship worldwide. It’s a vivid reminder that when we open our doors wider, we don’t just bring new members in; we expand our body of knowledge, enhance our impact and elevate the entire field.”
-Peter Bamberger
Institutions and associations in regions that have not historically had a strong connection to AOM are encouraged to get involved. The Community Accelerator Program is designed to be inclusive, collaborative, and future-focused—creating meaningful opportunities for scholars and institutions around the world.
To learn more about the Community Accelerator Program or to explore partnership opportunities, visit aom.org/community-accelerator or contact [email protected].
