Large projects in the space economy rarely unfold within a single organization.
They depend on complex interorganizational collaborations involving public and private actors, often across national boundaries. These collaborations face long development horizons, technological uncertainty, small-numbers bargaining, geopolitical concerns, and national security constraints.
This roundtable examines how contractual and organizational governance mechanisms can support innovation in the space economy. We will discuss how contracts can balance control and coordination, safeguarding and problem-solving, and public and private objectives in multi-party space collaborations.
👥 Facilitators
• Benn Lawson - Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
• Brian Squire - University of Bristol
• Jens Roehrich - University of Bath
⚖️ Discussion questions
• What makes contractual governance in space economy projects distinct?
• How do governance challenges differ in large, hybrid, and innovation-driven space collaborations?
• How can contracts balance safeguarding against hazards with promoting innovation and problem-solving?
• What roles do governments, universities, and firms play in governing space innovation ecosystems?
• How can governance address geopolitical, national security, and dual-use concerns?
Join us for a focused discussion on how the Space Economy can help management scholars rethink contractual governance, interorganizational collaboration, innovation, and public–private coordination in frontier industries.
🗓️ August 1, 2026 | 2:00–5:30 PM
📍 Loews Hotel, Philadelphia, USA
🔗 Register: https://lnkd.in/e3czZT4R
📩 Questions: Mehdi.montakhabi@said.oxford.edu
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Enrique Acebo
University of León
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