Strategic Business Development

About the research group

Advancing the practice and theory of strategy, the research group draws from the strategy and organization theory. The research program studies strategies, processes and practices within organizations, but also in networks and value systems. The research program conducts rigorous empirical studies, practical and collaborative company projects, and managerially relevant teaching in Strategic Business Development master program, and Executive MBA Programs.

The researchers of the SBD research group contribute to teaching in Strategic Business Development eductation:

Strategic Business Development Master Programme (EPAS accredited master programme)
Business Development (FIN), MSc of Science (Econ.)
D.Sc. in Economics (Management)
Bachelors degree in Management
Executive MBA Programme

To advance the theoretical developments in strategy, we draw from our firm-level collaborations, and collaborative research projects. During the past 20 years, we have conducted large number of research and company development projects. Typically, our work with companies involve strategy-related business development research. In times, we faciliate workshops, craft strategic analysis, analyze and develop customer and supplier relationships, and help companies to facilitate business development. In many occasion, our work is participative involving personnel at different organizational levels.

Doctoral students in Strategic Business Development are trained to develop scientific research but also to solve challenging business problems. All our professors, assistant professors and PhD students also work with companies as advisors, consultants and researchers.

Latest updates

Marko Kohtamäki Professor University of Vaasa

Media release 18.03.2026

University of Vaasa Science Communication Award to Professor Marko Kohtamäki

Dissertation 27.10.2025

Competing rivals can become powerful partners in global markets

Dissertation 09.12.2024

Powering the future together – Public-Private Collaboration for the energy transition in Finland

Show more news

Research projects

Project	Duration	Actors
Digitally mediated decarbon communities in energy transition (DigiDecarbon)	01/2022 - 12/2024	InnoLab, Technology and Innovations, Marketing and Communication, Networked value systems NeVS, Strategic business development
Future-oriented strategy work in South-Ostrobothnian SMEs (STRATU)	09/2021 - 11/2022	Strategic business development, Management
Mastering the Next Industrial Revolution: From product-service solutions to Autonomous Systems (MIDAS)	09/2021 - 08/2024	Strategic business development, Management
DIKO – Developing digital capabilities in South Ostrobothnian SMEs	08/2021 - 08/2023	Strategic business development, Management
Clean Propulsion Technologies	02/2021 - 12/2023	VEBIC, Technology and Innovations, Management, Renewable energy, Strategic business development, Efficient Powertrain Solutions
Future Ready Harbour Concept – Towards Sustainable Maritime Ecosystem	08/2020 - 01/2021	VEBIC, Renewable energy, Smart electric systems, Networked value systems NeVS, Strategic business development, Management, Technology and Innovations, Efficient Powertrain Solutions
Sustainable Industry Ecosystem (SIE)	07/2020 - 12/2022	Digital Economy, Technology and Innovations, VEBIC, Management, Strategic business development, Networked value systems NeVS
ReWise - Demonstrating resource-wise systems	04/2020 - 03/2022	VEBIC, Strategic business development, Networked value systems NeVS
Ix3 - Intelligent international industry	01/2020 - 06/2022	Digital Economy, Strategic business development
CEE4WES - Circular Economy Ecosystem for Waste-to-Energy Sector	11/2019 - 09/2020	VEBIC, Strategic business development, Economics, Management, Accounting and Finance, Smart electric systems

Publications

Publication year	Publication	Authors
2026	Resolving the Performance Feedback Puzzle: CEO Psychopathy, Heterogeneous Emotional Responses to Aspiration Gaps, and Risk-Taking	Gözübüyük, Remzi; Burkert, Steffen; Tenhiälä, Aino; Kock, Carl J.; Partanen, Jukka
2026	Reframing diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential practice for human progress in SMEs: complexity, agency, and emergent inclusion	Narayan, Rumy
2026	AddSearch: managing culturally diverse global virtual teams in an internationalizing SME	Delecour, Tiphaine; Oguike, MacDonald
2026	Diversity management in European companies: intersectionality and individual experiences of bias at work	Kiverä, Aaron; Šilenskytė, Aušrinė; Delecour, Tiphaine
2026	Foamit Group: creating compliant and functional social sustainability infrastructure in an international SME	Šilenskytė, Aušrinė; Boey, Anita; Diduc, Sniazhana
2026	Rethinking diversity, equity, and inclusion in European smaller businesses	Šilenskytė, Aušrinė; Fletcher, Margaret; Butkevičienė, Jurgita; Jayton, Chenthuran
2026	Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Small and Medium Enterprises: Concepts, Cases, and Managerial Perspectives	Šilenskytė, Aušrinė; Fletcher, Margaret; Butkevičienė, Jurgita; Jayton, Chenthuran
2026	Merinova: reconsidering employee age in European businesses	Kekäle, Tauno; Šilenskytė, Aušrinė; Fletcher, Margaret
2026	Finvacon: creating strategic advantage internationally through social sustainability	Šilenskytė, Aušrinė; Hill, TL; Sellin, Julianne
2026	Does Fit Always Fit? The Paradox of Brand–Cause Misfit and Authenticity	Papadopoulou, Christina; Hultman, Magnus; Oghazi, Pejvak