Personal profile
Artistic and research interests
I am interested in management challenges related to technology firms’ service operations. My colleagues and I study the system-level changes linked with the transformation of technology industries toward service-based value creation.
Our current research focuses on services supporting the sustainability of industrial operations, management of complex service systems, digital transformation of technology industries, and business models of the circular economy.
Our past projects have investigated the management of product-service hybridity in the construction business, payor-provider integration of healthcare services, and the effects of modularity on industrial solution providers’ ambidextrous performance.
I hold a Ph.D. in Information Systems Science and I currently serve as a professor of Service Engineering and Management.
Specialties:
- Service Engineering and Management
- Information Systems
- Innovation Management
- Organizational and Strategic Change
- Technology Entrepreneurship
Education/Academic qualification
Doctoral degree, Business and Economics, Helsinki School of Economics
Award Date: 18 Dec 2009
Master's degree, Business and Economics, Helsinki School of Economics
Award Date: 9 Jun 2000
Keywords
- Management of Service Systems
- Development of Digital Services
- Service Innovation and Business Models
- Kiertotalous
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Organizational Approaches to Service Strategy Implementation
Siltaloppi, J., Kowalkowski, C., Rajala, R. & Edvardsson, B., 25 Jul 2025, In: Academy of Management Proceedings. 2025, 1, 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting Abstract › Scientific › peer-review
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The Paradox of Digital Transformation in Asset-intensive Industries – A Sociotechnical Systems Perspective
Rajala, R., Hakanen, E., Lyytinen, K. & Gao, S., 22 Jun 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › Scientific › peer-review
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Towards a Continuity of Care Theory: Strategies for Better Chronic Healthcare Management
Vehkamäki, A., Sylgren, I., Vesinurm, M., Torkki, P. & Rajala, R., 2025, In: Academy of Management Proceedings. 2025, 1Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting Abstract › Scientific › peer-review
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Crafting a Memorable Learning Experience: Reflections on the Aalto Manufacturing Game
Öhman, M., Tetik, M., Rajala, R. & Holmström, J., 2023, Advances in Production Management Systems. Production Management Systems for Responsible Manufacturing, Service, and Logistics Futures : IFIP WG 5.7 International Conference, APMS 2023, Proceedings. Alfnes, E., Romsdal, A., Strandhagen, J. O., von Cieminski, G. & Romero, D. (eds.). Springer, p. 378-391 14 p. (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology; vol. 690 IFIPAICT).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference article in proceedings › Scientific › peer-review
1 Citation (Scopus) -
From transactional to a devoted relationship – toward performance-based service system governance
Veijola, I., Hakanen, E. & Rajala, R., 2022, Proceedings of the 55th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, January 3-7, 2022. Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, p. 6861-6870 ( Proceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference article in proceedings › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile154 Downloads (Pure)
Projects
- 15 Finished
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HWOP: Hybrid work challenges, opportunities and risks post-pandemic
Rajala, R. (Principal investigator) & Vanharanta, O. (Project Member)
01/01/2022 → 30/09/2022
Project: EU Other competitive funding
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HEIL-Hel-TUTA: Korkeasti koulutettujen maahanmuuttajien työllistymiseen vaikuttavat tekijät HEIL-Hel-TUTA (Highly Educated Immigrant Labor)
Rajala, R. (Principal investigator) & Tarabichi, H. (Project Member)
01/01/2022 → 31/12/2022
Project: Unknown
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MIDAS: Mastering the Next Industrial Revolution: From product-service solutions to autonomous systems
Rajala, R. (Principal investigator), Töytäri, P. (Project Member), Töytäri, P. (Project Member), Rekonen, S. (Project Member), Kenttä, P. (Project Member), Hakanen, E. (Project Member) & Wolff, J. (Project Member)
01/09/2021 → 31/08/2024
Project: RCF Academy Project
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-: Future Artpreneurship
Rajala, R. (Principal investigator), Tasanko, O. (Project Member), Kaira, J. (Project Member), Toiviainen, A. (Project Member) & Järvinen, J. (Project Member)
01/08/2021 → 28/02/2023
Project: Domestic funds and foundations
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Mission X: Mission X
Rajala, R. (Principal investigator), Mäkelä, M. (Project Member) & Turunen, T. (Project Member)
23/03/2020 → 31/12/2020
Project: Business Finland: Other research funding
Prizes
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Award for a High-grade PhD Thesis
Rajala, R. (Recipient), 2011
Prize: Award or honor granted for a specific work
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Best Academic Paper Award
Rajala, R. (Recipient), 6 Jul 2016
Prize: Award or honor granted for a specific work
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Dissertation of the Year Award
Rajala, R. (Recipient), 2010
Prize: Award or honor granted for a specific work
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IJOPM 2020 Best Paper Award
Peltokorpi, A. (Recipient), Matinheikki, J. (Recipient), Lehtinen, J. (Recipient) & Rajala, R. (Recipient), 5 Jul 2021
Prize: Award or honor granted for a specific work
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The Best Research Team of Helsinki School of Economics
Rajala, R. (Recipient), 2008
Prize: Award or honor granted for a specific work
Activities
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Opponent of a doctoral dissertation
Rajala, R. (Examiner)
6 Oct 2022Activity: Academic assessments › Pre-examination of doctoral thesis or acting as opponent to doctoral students or membership of doctoral thesis committee or board
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Pre-examiner of a doctoral dissertation, at Lappeenranta University of Technology
Rajala, R. (Examiner)
2016Activity: Academic assessments › Pre-examination of doctoral thesis or acting as opponent to doctoral students or membership of doctoral thesis committee or board
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Pre-examiner of a doctoral dissertation, at University of Turku
Rajala, R. (Examiner)
2016Activity: Academic assessments › Pre-examination of doctoral thesis or acting as opponent to doctoral students or membership of doctoral thesis committee or board
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Carleton University
Rajala, R. (Visitor (research and teaching))
1 Jan 2016Activity: Visiting an external institution types › Visiting an external academic institution
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Evaluation of an applicant to an Adjunct Professor position, at Lappeenranta University of Technology
Rajala, R. (Examiner)
2015Activity: Academic assessments › Statement of assessment of docentship
Press/Media
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Aalto University: Risto Rajala Appointed as Full Professor in Service Engineering and Management
27/10/2023
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media appearance
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Risto Rajala appointed as Full Professor in Service Engineering and Management
25/10/2023
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media appearance
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Aalto University: New Quality Award Will Be Given To Teams Of Top Experts Who Change Aalto Over The Long Term
Clavert, M., Rajala, R. & Mattelmäki, T.
08/04/2021
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media appearance