

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 Levon institute’s Executive MBA Programs.
The researchers of the SBD research group contribute to teaching in Strategic Business Development eductation:
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. Our doctoral students follow the Doctoral Programme in Business Studies. More information about this programme (study guide, how to apply) can be found here.
SBD program is co-directed by Professors Marko Kohtamäki, Annika Tidström ja Jukka Vesalainen.
One of the top strategy research groups in Europe focusing on technology firms.
The mission of our research group:
To solve strategic problems
To develop strategic competencies
In contribution to theory and practice of strategy
In the strategic business development programme, we study the strategies, processes and practices in organizations, but also in networks and value systems. In our work, we conduct rigorous empirical studies, practical and collaborative company projects, and managerially relevant teaching. Our research program focuses on four particular themes:
During the past few years, members of the research group have published tens of studies in distinguished international journals such as Strategic Management Journal, International Journal of Operations and Production Management, Industrial Marketing Management, Long Range Planning, Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, International Journal of Production Economics, Technovation, amongst others.
The groups research on digital servitization concentrates on the following themes:
The groups research on Platforms and ecosystems concentrates on the following themes:
The groups research on sustainability concentrates on the following themes:
Project | Duration | Actors |
---|---|---|
Digitally mediated decarbon communities in energy transition (DigiDecarbon) | - | InnoLab, Technology and Innovations, Marketing and Communication, Networked value systems NeVS, Strategic business development |
Future-oriented strategy work in South-Ostrobothnian SMEs (STRATU) | - | Strategic business development, Management |
Mastering the Next Industrial Revolution: From product-service solutions to Autonomous Systems (MIDAS) | - | Strategic business development, Management |
DIKO – Developing digital capabilities in South Ostrobothnian SMEs | - | Strategic business development, Management |
Clean Propulsion Technologies | - | VEBIC, Technology and Innovations, Management, Renewable energy, Strategic business development |
Future Ready Harbour Concept – Towards Sustainable Maritime Ecosystem | - | VEBIC, Renewable energy, Smart electric systems, Networked value systems NeVS, Strategic business development, Management, Technology and Innovations |
Sustainable Industry Ecosystem (SIE) | - | Digital Economy, Technology and Innovations, VEBIC, Management, Strategic business development, Networked value systems NeVS |
ReWise - Demonstrating resource-wise systems | - | VEBIC, Strategic business development, Networked value systems NeVS |
Ix3 - Intelligent international industry | - | Digital Economy, Strategic business development |
CEE4WES - Circular Economy Ecosystem for Waste-to-Energy Sector | - | VEBIC, Strategic business development, Economics, Management, Accounting and Finance, Smart electric systems |