Innovation for sustainability
Innovating new sustainable products, services, business models and forms of consumption can help tackle global challenges.
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.
Research areas
Sustainability transitions
Our research looks at several dimensions of the transition toward sustainability societies.
Circular economy
Circular economy keeps materials in use longer using strategies like reuse, remanufacture, recycling, and replacing ownership with rentals.
Corporate responsibility
Cross-national governance of businesses make ethical issues urgent.
SUB Publications
The latest publications from SUB researchers
Sustainability teaching
Sustainability course offerings in the School of Business
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.
Seminar Schedule
Autumn 2024
Wednesday 11.12., 11:00-12:00
Ekonominaukio 1, U213
Valentina De Marchi, ESADE Business School
The tetris of sustainability: Configurations of sustainability activities toward integrated business models in hybrid organizations
Thursday 14.11., 11:30-12:30
Ekonominaukio 1, U213
Joshua Hurtado Hurtado, University of Helsinki
Pluriverse imaginaries and the socio-ecological imagination
Thursday 10.10., 11:30-12:30
Ekonominaukio 1, U213
Juliana Rodrigues, Aalto University School of Business
Unpacking frugality: (re)newed principles for alternative organizing in the Anthropocene (or in a post-growth era)
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
The latest from SUB
Dive deeper into SUB's work through our blog posts and news articles.
Kestävyysmurroksen pyhä kolminaisuus (external link)
Kestävyyden ajan tavoitteiksi pitäisi nostaa eko-sosiaalinen hyvinvointi, pitkän aikavälin taloudellinen kannattavuus ja resilienssi.
Can circular economy replace collapsing global supply chains? A polycentric governance perspective - Management Studies Insights Blog (external link)
Blog post for Journal of Management Studies by Samuli Patala, Laura Albareda and Minna Halme
The New Sustainability in Business online course strengthens knowledge of sustainable business
How can companies create sustainable value for the economy, the environment and society?
SUB scholars win Business & Society’s 2020 Best Paper Award
SUB scholars Minna Halme, Leena Lankoski and Mika Kuisma have won Business & Society’s 2020 Best Paper Award.
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.
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.
Aalto sustainability news
Funding for a democratic transition to sustainability
Three projects from Aalto University are among the recipients. The Nessling Foundation's grants aim to advance the implementation of sustainability transitions in the context of democracy, the EU, and nature conservation areas.
Revolution in EV battery recycling: New approach sees skyrocketing gains in lithium recovery
Energy researchers have developed a safe and environmentally friendly way to recycle the batteries used in electric vehicles
Interdisciplinary course in Lisbon on plastic-free oceans, apply by 15 December
The course takes place online from January to April 2025 and face-to-face in Lisbon, Portugal, in July 2025.
Aalto’s new community-built sauna floats on repurposed wind turbine blades
Aalto-born Reverlast is transforming old wind turbine blades into durable floating structures designed to withstand even harsh marine conditionsEvents
Sustainable Connections 2024
Networking evening organised by Aalto Sustainability Club for Aalto sustainability alums, students and experts.
Better Business — Better Society Seminar: Anniversary Seminar: 'CKIR – Centre for Knowledge and Innovation Research 25 Years!'
Better Business — Better Society Seminar Series offers opportunities to learn about and discuss current societally important topics monthly.VOF project concluding seminar at the Department of Architecture
Welcome to the closing seminar of the Visualising Our Future Public Realm project at the Department of Architecture 12.12.2014
Homecoming Day 2025
Homecoming Day is one of the School of Business's biggest alumni events. It offers inspiring discussions on current topics and a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends.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]
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