Department of Management Studies

Sustainability in Business (SUB)

Our mission is to provide knowledge about innovative business models and transition paths that enhance sustainable development. As complex sustainability challenges call for multi-disciplinary knowledge and societally impactful research, we co-create solution proposals together with partners from different sectors of society.

View of Earth from space

Solar panels in front of mountains

Renewable energy production and storage technologies change the way we produce and use energy, do business with it, and innovate.

Department of Management Studies

Airplane at gate in evening

The effective management of transition risks is crucial for the resilience of businesses in global value chains.

Department of Management Studies

Recycling bins

Circular economy keeps materials in use longer using strategies like reuse, remanufacture, recycling, and replacing ownership with rentals.

Department of Management Studies

Car parked at electric charging station

Innovating new sustainable products, services, business models and forms of consumption can help tackle global challenges.

Department of Management Studies

Two people hauling bags in Brazil

Frugal innovations can help alleviate poverty.

Department of Management Studies

CSR news articles

Cross-national governance of businesses make ethical issues urgent.

Department of Management Studies

Palms with sustainability pictures drawn on them

Rethinking economy, work and money can help our economy function better.

Department of Management Studies

Publications

The latest publications from SUB researchers

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Two people with pens hovering over articles

Sustainability teaching

Sustainability course offerings in the School of Business

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Creative Sustainability students gathered around a laptop

SUB seminar series

The SUB lunchtime seminar series provides a monthly forum for all interested to discuss topical research in social and environmental issues in management.

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Plate of food with wooden spoons

Seminar schedule 2020-2021

Spring 2021

Thursday 20.5, 12.00-13.00
Remote seminar, contact [email protected] for more information

Elizabeth Miller, Olli Sahimaa and Minna Halme, Aalto University
Topic: Textile system mapping

Thursday 25.3, 12.00-13.00
Remote seminar, contact [email protected] for more information

Tulin Dzenghiz and Samuli Patala, Aalto University
The role of cross-sector partnerships to break away from the vicious cycles of place-based dynamics in innovation ecosystems

The purpose of this article is to advance theory development by conceptualising how place (detachment) attachment of actors’ leads to (vicious) virtuous innovation ecosystems and how cross-sector partnerships (CSPs) carry the potential to break away from the vicious cycles of place-ecosystem dynamics. To do so, we synthesise existing knowledge on innovation ecosystems, spaces, places, and CSPs, define the main constructs (health of innovation ecosystems, place attachment-detachment, CSPs as herding spaces) and introduce the relationships between these seemingly disparate constructs in a conceptual model that brings them together. Our conceptual model demonstrates the recursive relationships between place (detachment) attachment and (un)healthy innovation ecosystems, which we characterise as vicious and virtuous cycles. We emphasise the role of CSPs to break away from the vicious dynamics of place-innovation ecosystem dynamics and explain the conditions in which CSPs carry such potential. We also generate propositions in alignment with our conceptual model and provide new paths for future research by raising new questions about the platial dynamics of innovation ecosystems and the role of CSPs in these dynamics. We support our conceptual model with two illustrative cases that exemplify vicious and virtuous place-innovation ecosystem dynamics.

Awards and highlights

Inês Peixoto

Finalist for the EGOS Best Student Paper Award with the paper “Risk organization and moral multiplexity in the EU biofuels market” (presented at EGOS Edinburgh 2019)

Minna Halme

HSE Support Foundation Societal Impact Award, 2019

Elizabeth Miller

Thesis "Trash to Treasure: A Multiple Case Study of Finnish Companies That Create Economic Value from Waste Materials" received award for top university master's thesis, Association for Environmental Management (Ymparistöjohtamisen yhdistys ry), 2018

Samuli Patala and Minna Halme

Article "Polycentric Governance of Privately Owned Resources in Circular Economy Systems" received Carolyn Dexter Award for international papers, Academy of Management 2018

Jouni Juntunen, Minna Halme, Angelina Korsunova and Risto Rajala

Article "Powering sustainable innovations: Strategies for collaborating with deviant partners" won Best Academic Paper at R&D Management Conference 2016, University of Cambridge

Minna Halme, Sara Lindeman and Paula Linna

Article "Innovation for Inclusive Business: Intrapreneurial Bricolage in Multinational Corporations", Journal of Management Studies, 2012 received the Emerald Citations of Excellence for 2015

Sustainability in Business (SUB) group awarded funding to research transition risks for low-carbon shipping and aviation

The newly funded T-Risk research project aims to shed light on transition risks in the maritime and aviation sectors, crucial for global trade and transportation.

Shipping port

Jouni Juntunen nominated to Network for Business Sustainability Sustainability Centres Community (SCC) Advisory Board

Jouni Juntunen has been nominated to Network for Business Sustainability Sustainability Centres Community (SCC) Advisory Board for a three year period starting from 2021.

Interesting methodology workshop organized by SUB researchers

The Sustainability in Business research group organized a virtual workshop on conducting field research in methodologically challenging settings.

Methodology workshop

The World Needs Hands-on Solutions to Wicked Problems

New Global has taken a holistic approach to exploring pathways from poverty to sustainable development. By com-bining interdisciplinary research and education with innovation work in the field, we have studied and experimented with co-innovation across Finland and emerging markets.

Aalto New Global

Does Corporate Responsibility Deliver? Broken Pathways to Business Sustainability

Guest blog for Business and Society by Leena Lankoski and Minna Halme.

Broken road

Millainen liiketoiminta muuttaa maailmaa?

Perinteinen kapitalistinen ajatus, että yrityksen tehtävänä on ainoastaan tuottaa voittoa osakkeenomistajilleen, tuntuu nykyään suunnilleen yhtä 1900-lukuiselta kuin lankapuhelin.

Kuuluisassa Kasvun rajat –raportissa (Meadows ym., 1972) todettiin jo lähes 50 vuotta sitten, että luonnonvarojen tuhlaileva käyttö ei voi jatkua loputtomiin.

Valitettavasti 2020-luvulle tultaessa on käynyt ilmeiseksi, että ihmiskunta on ollut hidas reagoimaan. Materiaalienkäytön ja päästöjen kasvu kielii siitä, että todellinen radikaali muutos vaatii aikaa. Näinhän se menee. Hammaslääkäriinkin vaivautuu vasta, kun tarpeeksi kivistää.

Onneksi löytyy myös kosolti kestäviä edelläkävijäyrityksiä, joiden innovaatiot ovat parhaillaan tehokasta juurihoitoa luonnonvarojen käytön kasvun kanssa kipuilevalle ihmiskunnalle. Näitä edelläkävijäyrityksiä löytyy tekstiilialalla esimerkiksi vastuullisten yritysten listasta, jota Finix-hankkeen tutkijat kokosivat koronakevään aikana #kestävävaate-kampanjassa.

Green roof in urban center

SUB researchers to present at the virtual Academy of Management conference

From August 7-11, several members of the SUB research group will participate in the 80th annual meeting of the Academy of Management, this year held virtually because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Doctoral dissertation: Innovative entrepreneurship may be a viable solution for reducing poverty

Entrepreneurs need an innovative business idea, access to significant support and an environment that endorses entrepreneurship.

Kolmipyöräinen traktori nimeltään Bullet Santi ja kehittäjänsä Mansukhbhai Jagani

Creative Sustainability included in Financial Times’ list of best practices for sustainability in business schools

School of Business was included among the best practices for sustainability in teaching and student projects.

Creative sustainability students brainstorming

Kicking off the "Better Business - Better Society" series

Researchers and partners from the Finix sustainable textile system project, co-led by SUB scholars, kicked off the Aalto Business School "Better Business - Better Society" seminar series.

Cellulose-based fabric from the Ioncell process

SUB researchers to present at the Academy of Management conference in Boston

From August 9-13, several members of the SUB research group will participate in the 79th annual meeting of the Academy of Management in Boston, USA. They will join scholars from across the world to share and discuss the latest research on the conference theme Understanding the Inclusive Organization, examining how organizations impact communities on many different dimensions, from the psychological to the ecological.

SUB researchers lead new sustainable textiles consortium

Researchers from the Sustainability in Business (SUB) research group are leading one of Aalto’s three consortia funded in the latest round of grants from the Academy of Finland’s Strategic Research Council.

Rolls of fabric in warehouse

Many Shades of Cocreation: Research Designs for Collaboration

When academics and practitioners work together on research, there’s no standard template to follow. Aalto researchers provide a model.

Nanomaji water filters in East Africa

'The solutions for circular economy are not achieved alone'

A circular economy workshop series develops new collaborations between engineers and business researchers.

Circular economy workshop Dilemmas of disassembly Photo: Outi Puukko

How to accelerate the circular economy

It sounds simple — one business’s waste becomes another’s input. But the reality is challenging. Three case studies provide best practices.

Bales of paper and cardboard waste

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Apulaisprof. Emma-Riikka Myllymäki

Research & Art Published: 16.4.2021

Emma-Riikka Myllymäki: Why company reporting needs to be excellent

By producing high-quality reports on both their business and sustainability impacts, companies build trust and aid stakeholder decision-making.

Research & Art Published: 14.4.2021

Our unwillingness to sacrifice comfort: 3 taboos preventing sustainable transformation

Why is it so difficult for us to change our current practices for more sustainable ones? Are there any explicit taboos that hinder decision-making? Sustainability Science Days, Finland’s largest event in sustainability science, addresses sustainability challenges, including both taboos and innovative ways of promoting sustainability.

Kerrostalo ja kallioita

Cooperation, Press releases, Research & Art Published: 9.4.2021

The SUBURBAN PRIDE project examines the relationship between mental images of suburbs and the built environment

The multidisciplinary project combines history of architecture, sociology, and research in critical cultural heritage and landscape architecture. The purpose of the project, based on research and workshops, is to build a sustainable future for suburbs.

Project by Yu Chen & Chia-wen Hsu. Photo: Eeva Suorlahti

Studies, University Published: 8.4.2021

Nordic Biomaterials with CHEMARTS – Small steps for change are valuable

In the coming years, our material world will change dramatically. The overuse of existing raw materials cannot continue, and global consumption must decrease.

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20 4

Tapahtumabanneri. Kuva vihersävytteisestä kaislikosta. Kuvan päällä tapahtuman tiedot ja kumppaneiden logot.

Other 20.4.2021 12:45 – 16:00

Climate change - perspectives of hope for the future

The discussion will address, among other things, the mitigation of climate change through technology and the potential for change in the lives of individuals and communities. The event was postponed from Spring 2020 to 2021.

21 4

Design Club Online Talk

Online event 21.4.2021 9:00 – 10:00

Online Talk: Accelerating sustainability

Book your place for online talk by Aalto University and Design Museum's business network, Design Club. The topic of the discussions will explore sustainability, social responsibility and Corporate Responsibility through the lens of Design and Design intensive companies.

22 4

NODUS Talks

Online event 22.4.2021 16:15 – 17:45

NODUS TALKS Food Sovereignty. People's Sovereignty!

Online presentations and panel discussion with Aslihan Oguz & Ruby Van Der Wekken.

28 4

IBC Finland seminar cover picture

Online event 28.4.2021 14:00 – 16:30

IBC Finland Annual seminar 2021: Digital Biotechnology

IBC Finland Annual seminar 28.4.21

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Who we are

Member of the Sustainability Centres Community

SUB is a member of the Sustainability Centres Community (SCC), hosted by the Network for Business Sustainability (NBS).

Get in touch

Address

Väre, Otaniementie 14
02150 Espoo

Contact

Elizabeth Miller
[email protected]

Published: 24.10.2018
Updated: 26.3.2021