Master’s programme in Strategic Business Development acknowledges Alisa Flinck Pahkasalo’s thesis as the best in 2025

In her thesis, Flinck Pahkasalo explored how environmental sustainability can be improved and emissions reduced within supply chains, as well as the attitudes associated with these efforts. She chose the topic because of its timeliness and after being offered the opportunity to conduct the research for a multinational case company, which enabled her to interview both buyers and suppliers from an international perspective.

The thesis examines how suppliers’ environmental sustainability performance can be enhanced within buyer-supplier relationships and offers a relational approach to building effective supplier collaboration.

– The study portrays supplier sustainability development as a continuous cycle that requires reciprocal collaboration to succeed. At the same time, it creates a shared competitive advantage for both parties in the buyer-supplier relationship, Flinck Pahkasalo explains.

The selection criteria for the acknowledgement highlighted the thesis's scientific quality, the strength of its empirical data, and its potential for further academic research.

– The thesis was selected on the basis of its significant theoretical contribution, unique empirical dyad-level buyer-supplier data, and strong potential for development into an academic publication, says Jukka Partanen, Programme Manager of Strategic Business Development.

Looking ahead, Flinck Pahkasalo hopes to continue building her career around sustainability-related issues.

– I would like to gain further experience in sustainability-related roles and apply the expertise I have developed. I am also interested in pursuing doctoral studies and writing a dissertation, she says.