Hidden champions are highly successful small and medium-sized companies that are global leaders in terms of market share in their respective niches. Presenting the outcomes of an in-depth, multinational study on hidden champions in Central, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Russia, China, Georgia, Mongolia and Turkey, this book provides essential insights into the critical drivers of success, market leadership positions, competitive advantage, and core lessons learned on the road to business prosperity. It also addresses development needs in connection with management, financing and the regulatory environment, which can in turn be used to create recommendations for various stakeholders (e.g. governments, financial institutions, management development institutions) in order to support hidden champions in their further growth and business success.

Professor Dr. Danica Purg is the President, and Professor of Leadership, of IEDC-Bled School of Management, Slovenia, and the President of CEEMAN, the international association of 200 management development institutions from 50 countries. In 2010, Prof. Purg received the 2010 International Educator of the Year Award by the Academy of International Business (AIB) for her outstanding achievements in international business education. In 2017, the Global UN PRME Forum awarded Prof. Purg for her pioneering work in establishing the UN PRME initiative. In December 2018, she received the highest French order of merit 'National Order of the Legion of Honour' for her dedication and support in strengthening bilateral relations between France and Slovenia, especially in the field of management education. She authored and co-authored several books and numerous articles on leadership issues. Her research focuses on looking for inspirations for managers from art and other professions. Prof. Purg holds three Doctor Honoris Causa titles and two honorary professorship titles.
Dr. Alenka Bra?ek Lali? is the Vice Dean for Research at IEDC-Bled School of Management, Postgraduate Studies. She has been part of the higher education (HE) industry for more than 15 years. Throughout her career, she held different positions at various HE organizations, such as the University of Ljubljana, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Since September 2015, she has been engaged with the IEDC-Bled School of Management, Postgraduate Studies where she acts as the Vice Dean for Research and a Team Coach for EMBA participants. At the same time, she is also heavily engaged with CEEMAN, The International Association for Management Development in Dynamic Societies where she acts as its Accreditation Director. Dr. Bra?ek Lali? holds Ph.D. and MSc from the Faculty of Social Sciences, the University of Ljubljana in the area of human resource management.