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Doctoral courses at the School of Business and Economics

Doctoral courses at the School of Business and Economics

On this page you’ll find information about doctoral courses offered within the School of Business and Economics. The courses are aimed at doctoral researchers within the ÅAU, as well as doctoral researchers from other universities. For details regarding target group, please see course information.


Currently available courses

 


Konstverk i Arken.

Business Networks and Ecosystems For Sustainable Business (6 ECTS), 12.3-16.5.2025

A doctoral course organized by Åbo Akademi University in collaboration with Mid Sweden University (Sweden), and University of Inland Norway (Norway)

 

This course examines collaborative constellations and how they drive sustainability in the modern business landscape. The collaborative constellations refer to different types of ecosystems (innovation, business, and entrepreneurial) and networks of stakeholders working together to achieve sustainable outcomes. Recent discussions have focused on how collaborative constellations can support sustainability practices or circular economy principles that benefit the entire ecosystem (cf. Kanda et al., 2021; Parida et al., 2019). Additionally, business model innovation is—as an antecedent of change—linked to variation creation in the various ecosystem perspectives, outlining a means for business actors to collaboratively address critical societal issues. By creating variation to the established—meaning the introduction of new ideas, methods, services, and configurations—it enables actors involved in these ecosystems to relate to each other in new ways.

The aim of the course is to introduce early-stage doctoral students in, for example, innovation studies, marketing, entrepreneurship and other related fields within management and business studies to the theoretical foundations of different collaborative constellations that foster sustainability and address complex environmental and social challenges. A key focus is on the role of innovation, especially business model innovation, in transitioning ecosystems toward circularity. Business model innovation serves here as a mechanism, enabling firms and other organizations within these ecosystems to rethink how they create, deliver, and capture value in ways that align with circular economy principles. By integrating circular strategies—such as resource efficiency, waste minimization, and closed-loop systems—business model innovation can help drive the shift from old and linear to more regenerative and sustainable practices across entire ecosystems.

The course also covers methodological approaches to studying complex systems designed according to sustainability outcomes or principles. Rigorous case studies, interactive discussions, and contemporary reading will provide students with the tools to critically assess and study the collaborative efforts and trends that underpin sustainable business practices.

  • Understand various sustainability actions (economic, environmental, social) taken at the regional level in collaborative constellations and their alignment with global sustainability goals (e.g., SDGs).
  • Analyse how different regions respond to collaborative and sustainability efforts based on their unique economic, social, and environmental contexts.
  • Analyse the theoretical foundations of collaborative constellations (networks, partnerships, ecosystems, alliances).
  • Evaluate methods and models for studying collaboration among stakeholders in ecosystems.
  • Evaluate methods and models for studying business model innovation in line with circular economy principles.

  • Anna-Greta Nyström, Professor, Åbo Akademi University (Finland)
  • Johan Kask, Professor, University of Inland Norway (Norway)
  • Anna Sörensson, Associate Professor, Mid Sweden University (Sweden)

Collaboration partners on campus:

  • Rolf Gunnar Findsrud, Associate professor, University of Inland Norway
  • Navid Ghannad, Assistant professor, Halmstad University

Confirmed online keynote speakers:

  • David Audretsch, Professor, Indiana University
  • Leena Aarikka-Stenroos, Tampere University

The course is suitable for students in their early stage of doctoral studies. A maximum of 20 students are admitted to the course.

  1. Doctoral students admitted to member departments of the Nordic Business School Association at: Aalto University, Aarhus University, Åbo Akademi University, BI Norwegian Business School, Copenhagen Business School, Hanken School of Economics, Inland School of Business and Social Sciences, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Linnæus University, Lund University, LUT University, Mälardalen University, NTNU Business School, NORD University, Reykjavik University, Roskilde University, Stockholm Business School, Stockholm School of Economics, Södertörn University, Tampere University, Turku School of Economics, Umeå University, University of Borås, University of Helsinki, University of Iceland, University of Jyväskylä, University of Vaasa, Uppsala University, Örebro University.
  2. Doctoral students admitted to other Nordic universities
  3. Other eligible applicants

Apply for the course by February 20, 2025, or at your earliest convenience to safeguard admittance (spaces will be limited to 20, NFF member universities prioritized) by sending a brief summary of your PhD project and a motivation letter as one PDF file to anna-greta.nystrom@abo.fi (max 1 page).

The participants will read state-of-the-art research on collaborative constellations, mainly business ecosystems and networks, business model innovation for sustainable business, and sustainability efforts linked to regions and contexts. The course consists of two online meetings (lectures and small group discussions), three full days on-campus (lectures, small group discussions, company visit), and a final individual, written assignment, designed to further the student’s PhD project. The student prepares by reading assigned articles before the second online meeting and the sessions on campus.

To successfully complete the course, students must participate in all on-campus events and at least one online seminar, as well as complete the written assignment as agreed with the examiners. Students are expected to actively engage in all course discussions and activities. The final assignment may be a chapter, a part of a paper, or a synopsis of a PhD thesis project, tentatively 10-20 pages on a topic directly related to the course theme.

The course is graded pass or fail. To receive the grade pass, an active participation in lectures, seminars, and workshops, and submitting an individual written report about a chosen topic and /or from own research interest are required.

12 March 13:00–16:00 (CET)

  • Introduction to sustainable business (online/Zoom 3h)
  • Introduction to the course and key note presentation

19 March 13:00–16:00 (CET):

  • Fundamentals of collaborative constellations (online/Zoom 3h)
  • Key note presentation and small group discussions

8-10 April (9:00–17:00 CET):

Seminars and workshops (campus-based teaching, 24h)

  • Day 1: Ecosystems and networks (Nyström)
  • Day 2: Regional effects of collaborative constellations and sustainability actions (Sörensson)
  • Day 3: Circular economy ecosystems and the role of business model innovation (Kask)

16 May 16:00 (CET):

Submission of individual written assignment

The course will start with two online sessions (remote participation via Zoom or Teams), followed by three intensive days on campus, hosted by Mid Sweden University at their Åre campus in Sweden. Further information about the location and venue will be provided to the participants upon admittance to the course.

Reading assignment 1 (week 1, deadline 19 March)

Aarikka-Stenroos, L. & Ritala, P. (2017). Network management in the era of ecosystems: Systematic review and management framework. Industrial Marketing Management, 67, 23–26.

Kanda, W., Geissdoerfer, M., & Hjelm, O. (2021). From circular business models to circular business ecosystems. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30, 2814–2829.

Krome, J. M., & Pidun, U. (2023). Conceptualization of research themes and directions in business ecosystem strategies: A systematic literature review. Management Review Quarterly, 73, 873–920.

Moore, J. F. (1993). Predators and prey: A new ecology of competition. Harvard Business Review, May-June, 75–86.

Reading package, day 1 (Ecosystems and networks, 8 April)

Adner, R. (2017). Ecosystem as structure: An actionable construct for strategy. Journal of Management, 43(1), 39–58.

Battistella, C., Colucci, K., de Toni, A. F., & Nonino, F. (2013). Methodology of business ecosystems network analysis: A case study in Telecom Italia Future Centre. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 80, 1194–1210.

Burström, T., Lahti, T., Parida, V., & Wincent, J. (2024). Industrial ecosystems: A systematic review, framework and research agenda. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 208, 123656.

Felch, V. & Sucky, E. (2023). In search of a consensus definition of business ecosystems; A qualitative study. Journal of Modelling in Management, 18(6), 1834–1857.

Hakala, H., O’Shea, G., Farny, S., & Luoto, S. (2020). Re‐storying the business, innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem concepts: The model‐narrative review method. International Journal of Management Reviews22(1), 10-32.

Nyström, A-G. (2023). The individual and decision-making amidst organizational sensemaking in business ecosystems. In Ivanova-Gongne, M., Torkkeli, L.,  Koporcic, N., & Barner-Rasmussen, W. (Eds.): Individuals as stakeholders in B2B marketing: Sensemaking and action in context. Routledge.

Reading package, day 2 (Regional effects of collaborative constellations and sustainability actions, 9 April)

Aarikka-Stenroos, L., Ritala, P., & Thomas, L.D.W. (2021). Circular economy ecosystems: A typology, definitions, and implications. In Teerikangas, S., Onkila, T., Koistinen, K., & M. Mäkelä (Eds.). Handbook of Sustainability Agency. Cheltenham, UK: Edgar Elgar.

Ashton, W. S. (2009). The structure, function, and evolution of a regional industrial ecosystem. Journal of Industrial ecology13(2), 228-246.

Audretsch, D. B., & Belitski, M. (2021). Towards an entrepreneurial ecosystem typology for regional economic development: The role of creative class and entrepreneurship. Regional Studies55(4), 735-756.

Audretsch, D. B., Sörensson, A., & Lundström, A. (Eds.) (2025). Entrepreneurship, sustainability, and social responsibility. The importance of Agenda 2030. Springer, URL: https://link.springer.com/book/9783031775123?srsltid=AfmBOoq9SgLnizCFrI2dTZ-OJIWrYS5evaA3qePjeV5piIETTaDqQnr1#overview (selected chapters)

Konietzko, J., Bocken, N., & Hultink, E. J. (2020). Circular ecosystem innovation: An initial set of principles. Journal of Cleaner Production253, 119942.

Parida, V., Burström, T., Visnjic, I., & Wincent, J. (2019). Orchestrating industrial ecosystem in circular economy: A two-stage transformation model for large manufacturing companies. Journal of business research101, 715-725.

Wurth, B., Stam, E. & Spigel, B. (2022). Toward an entrepreneurial ecosystem research program. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 46(3), 729–778.

Reading package, day 3 (Circularity in ecosystems and the role of business model innovation, 10 April)

Breslin, D., Kask, J., Schlaile, M., & Abatecola, G. (2021). Developing a coevolutionary account of innovation ecosystems. Industrial Marketing Management98, 59-68.

Chesbrough, H. (2010). Business model innovation: opportunities and barriers. Long range planning43(2-3), 354-363.

Demil, B., Lecocq, X., & Warnier, V. (2018). “Business model thinking”, business ecosystems and platforms: The new perspective on the environment of the organization. M@n@gement, 21(4), 1213–1228.

Ertelt, S. M., & Kask, J. (2024). Home field advantage: examining incumbency reorientation dynamics in low-carbon transitions. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions50, 100802.

Foss, N. J., & Saebi, T. (2017). Fifteen years of research on business model innovation: How far have we come, and where should we go? Journal of management43(1), 200-227.

Kask, J., & Linton, G. (2023). Five principles for overcoming obstacles in deep-tech startup journeys. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development30(1), 1-3.

Kuhlmann, M., Meuer, J., & Bening, C. R. (2023). Interorganizational sensemaking of the transition toward a circular value chain. Organization & Environment, 26(3), 411–441.

Updated 16.1.2025