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Academic excellence, internationality and sustainability are the priorities for the new 4-year strategic period of the School of Business starting next year. ‘I want to promote these particularly strongly together with our excellent community,’ says Timo Korkeamäki, who has been appointed Dean of the School of Business for the second 5-year term. Mr. Korkeamäki took up his position at the beginning of 2020 and will continue to report to Provost Kristiina Mäkelä.

‘Timo Korkeamäki has done an excellent job in leading the School of Business and is well liked by both faculty, staff and students. I am very happy that he will continue as Dean,’ says Kristiina Mäkelä.

In the early 2000s, the role of the School of Business as a school of international importance has clearly grown. ‘In addition to a strong national footprint, we also want to be visible on the world map. Our researchers publish a total of 20–30 articles a year in the top journals in business and economics, which in previous years was considered an impossible feat for researchers at Finnish universities.’

‘Our academics are also prominent at international conferences in our fields, which we regularly organise ourselves as well. This December, for example, we are co-hosting with the University of Turku, LUT University and the University of Oulu the significant 50th annual conference of the European International Business Academy ().’

International collaboration

In his first 5-year term, Dean Timo Korkeamäki invited foreign business and academic professionals to the new International Advisory Board (IAB) to support the development of the School of Business. The IAB meets twice a year.

‘At the School of Business, we have long sought best practice models from around the world, and the IAB has continued this work. One of the main objectives is to increase the knowledge of the international labour market at the School of Business. We hope to gain ideas to improve both our curriculum design and our international attractiveness.’

In international cooperation, numerous networks such as CEMS and PIM as well as the accreditation bodies AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA are also very important for the School of Business. 

‘As an internationally renowned and high-quality business school, we have an excellent opportunity to attract talented foreign students to Finland and, of course, to offer a viable alternative for Finns who want to study at a high-quality business school, even by international standards.’ 

Deep expertise in sustainable development issues

The researchers at the School of Business have more than 30 years of experience in research on sustainable development issues. Founded in 1993, the Sustainability in Business research group was one of the first in its field and has grown from a team of a few to a group of around 30 researchers. Some 60 doctoral theses have been published, and alumni of the group hold professorships and management positions in companies, the public sector and organisations in Finland and Europe.

‘So we can also base our teaching on cutting-edge sustainability research. We integrate sustainability issues into almost everything we do, which helps students consider these issues regardless of their interests or major.’

‘The School of Business' membership of the PRME* (*Principles of Responsible Management Education) network and its Champion membership is further proof that our commitment to working with a high level of ambition to promote sustainable development and responsibility has also been recognised internationally.’
 

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The dean is responsible for directing the school’s activities and taking part in the long-term development of Aalto University as a member of its management team. The dean is also responsible for the overall development and international competitiveness of the school, for allocating its resources and for recruiting faculty. The dean reports to the provost.

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Edit: The strategic period is 4 years that is 2025–2028. (First, it was written in this news that the period would be a 3-year one.)