Samuli Knüpfer has been appointed professor of ownership at the School of Business

Professor Samuli Knüpfer, DSc (Econ), has been appointed professor of ownership at the Aalto University School of Business. He will begin in his new position in March.

The aim of the professorship established with donated funds is to add ownership as an integral part of academic research and teaching, to strengthen Finnish culture of ownership and ownership expertise, and to produce high-quality research data to support societal discussion and decisions.

Knüpfer transferred to Aalto University from BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo, where he worked as a Professor of Finance. Before his years in Oslo, Knüpfer worked at the London Business School and as a visiting scholar at the University of California at Berkeley and at the Aalto University School of Business. He defended his doctoral dissertation at the Helsinki School of Economics at the age of 29 in 2007.

During his career, Samuli Knüpfer has taught thousands of students, directed the doctoral programme in Finance, supervised numerous doctoral candidates and coordinated the work of several research groups. His peer-reviewed and award-winning research has been published in the top journals of the international academic field, such as The Journal of Finance, The Journal of Financial Economics, The Review of Financial Studies and Management Science. The Economist, The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times have referenced Samuli Knüpfer’s research on their pages.

Knüpfer is a sought-after speaker for academic conferences and different media.

A unique project

Knüpfer’s widely cited and versatile research activities emphasise the understanding of household investment and saving decisions and their impact on economic activity. He has also studied the traits of CEOs and their impact on companies’ decision-making and success. Many of Knüpfer’s studies are based on unique data from Finland, Sweden and Norway.

‘It is wonderful to return to Finland to teach and to do research within the framework of such a unique project. The endowed professorship shows that ownership is of interest to several parties in Finland. Ownership and the impact of its various forms on companies and the economy are close to my heart. I look forward to returning to Aalto University,’ says Knüpfer.

The professorship in ownership will be assigned to the Department of Finance.

‘Ownership and the related issues are very relevant at the other departments of the School of Business as well but also more widely across Aalto University. With the new professorship, our school will be able to combine existing forces and thus significantly strengthen the teaching and research of ownership and their societal impact,’ says Dean of the School of Business Timo Korkeamäki and warmly welcomes Samuli Knüpfer to Aalto University. 

A joint achievement – many thanks to the large group of donors

Already some 100 donors, including foundations, companies and individuals, have supported the professorship in ownership.

‘The professorship in ownership has been a unique project in many ways. The establishment of endowed professorships is usually supported by only a few foundations or companies, but this project involved an exceptionally wide-ranging group of donors representing different forms of ownership. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone who has participated in our fund-raising efforts,’ says Timo Korkeamäki.

Tero Luoma, the originator of the professorship project and author of a book on ownership, is delighted with the realisation and new appointment of the professorship in ownership.

‘It is an honour to see how the idea is now being realised as the world’s first long-term professorship in ownership. This is a significant investment in ownership expertise for future generations. I wish to thank everyone who supported the project and Aalto University for their excellent cooperation. The entire process and Samuli Knüpfer’s appointment prove that Aalto University is the best home for this professorship’, says Luoma.

President of Aalto University Ilkka Niemelä warmly thanks Tero Luoma and Lari Raitavuo who found supporters for the project, and each donor who made the professorship possible.

‘It is a pleasure and honour to establish Finland's first professorship in ownership at Aalto University. Without you, the establishment of the professorship would not have been possible. Together we have achieved something new and unique. My warmest thanks to everyone,’ says Niemelä.

The professorship in ownership has attracted much interest since the news of its establishment.

‘We have received an exceptional amount of positive feedback on the professorship in ownership. The feedback received shows that there is a need for high-quality and independent research on ownership, development of education in the field and more social debate. We are eager to make these things happen in our part,’ says Timo Korkeamäki.

As ownership has been widely perceived as a very important issue, it has been decided to keep it open for new donations. These new donations will support the further development of ownership expertise.

More information about donating and a list of donors to the professorship in ownership.

Contact details

Dean Timo Korkeamäki, Aalto University School of Business
[email protected]
+358 40 483 4060
                         
Helena Salminen, Aalto University donor relations
[email protected]
+358 50 475 7108