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.

A picture of the earth on a black background with the text "Sustainability in business 30 years #sub30"

A girl and a man selling items in Brazil

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

Department of Management Studies

Our research looks at several dimensions of the transition toward sustainability societies.

Department of Management Studies

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

Department of Management Studies

Cross-national governance of businesses make ethical issues urgent.

Department of Management Studies

Seminar Schedule

Autumn 2026

Wednesday 28.10., 11:30-12:30
Ekonominaukio 1, Room U113 Otto Stenroth, 1^st floor

Khadija Sesay, University of Granada

Common owners, common greening: Ownership configuration as a driver of environmental isomorphism

Wednesday 23.9., 11:30-12:30
Ekonominaukio 1, Room 1004 Kyösti Järvinen, 1^st floor

Olli Tiikkainen, Aalto University School of Business

Financial sustainability governance: An inquiry into the politics of Finnish impact finance

Spring 2026

Tuesday 19.5., 13:00-14:00
Ekonominaukio 1, Room V101, Istuntosali, 1^st floor

Anna Härri, Aalto University School of Business
Minna Halme, Aalto University School of Business

How distant owners enact biodiversity practices: The roles of institutional logics and place

Wednesday 15.4., 11:30-12:30
Ekonominaukio 1, Room U113 Otto Stenroth, 1^st floor

Samuli Patala, Aalto University School of Business
Paavo Ritala, LUT Business School

Moral legitimacy struggles in purpose-driven ecosystems: Interplay of collective narratives and meta-organizational architectures

SUB Publications

The latest publications from SUB researchers

Two people with pens hovering over articles

Sustainability teaching

Sustainability course offerings in the School of Business

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.

Awards and highlights

Leena Lankoski

Educational developer of the year 2023 award from the HSE Support Foundation. Read the announcement here.

Patrick Shulist

Teacher of the year 2023 award from the HSE Support Foundation. Read the announcement here.

Samuli Patala and Minna Halme

“Responsible Research in Management” Distinguished Winner for article: “Polycentric governance of privately owned resources in circular economy systems.” Journal of Management Studies, 59(6), 1563-1596. With Laura Albareda. 2023. Sponsored by the Academy of Management Fellows & Responsible Research in Business and Management. Read the announcement here.

Minna Halme

Academy of Management, Social Issues in Management Division Best Paper Award of 2023. With Jennifer Goodman and Jouni Juntunen.

Minna Halme

Alfred Kordelin Prize for key future actors who have created the conditions for a stronger, diverse, and sustainable society as well as a better future, 2022

Minna Halme, Leena Lankoski and Mika Kuisma

Article "When Is There a Sustainability Case for CSR? Pathways to Environmental and Social Performance Improvements" (co-authored with Jukka Rintamäki and Jette Steen Knudsen) received Business & Society’s 2020 Best Paper Award

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

An image of a small child skipping in a sunny field

Kestävyysmurroksen pyhä kolminaisuus (external link)

Can circular economy replace collapsing global supply chains? A polycentric governance perspective - Management Studies Insights Blog (external link)

The New Sustainability in Business online course strengthens knowledge of sustainable business

SUB scholars win Business & Society’s 2020 Best Paper Award

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

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

See all

A glass ball with H2 symbol on green vegetation, surrounded by various eco and science icons.

University Published: 10.9.2026

Join the Unite!Energy Conference in Darmstadt

The third annual Unite!Energy Conference brings together early-career researchers and experts to exchange knowledge, explore the latest developments and innovations in sustainable energy, and discuss the role of gender-responsive STEM education.