Business Finland funding awarded to DILEC project exploring leadership in hybrid work

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a rapid shift to remote and hybrid working. This shift revealed significant gaps in the digital capabilities of Finnish companies. Studies have found deterioration in supervisory support, innovation capabilities and employee well-being.

A new project is now exploring digital solutions, inclusive leadership and employee-centered workplace to tackle these challenges The DILEC project (Digital Solutions, Inclusive Leadership, and Employee Centricity in Hybrid Work) is implemented by Laurea University of Applied Sciences and the University of Lapland. The three-year project, which will start in August 2025, has received Business Finland funding of around 600,000 euros.

The DILEC project aims to produce research-based practical solutions that will enable Finnish companies to improve the management of hybrid work, the quality of working life and employee participation in digital transformation. The results will be used to strengthen productivity, employee engagement and well-being at work.

The project will be implemented in close cooperation with business partners. Five of Laurea's key partners - Digia Finland Oy, Elis Textile Oy, Nokia Oyj, Ramirent Oy, and Ravintolatalot Oy - as well as Folkhälsan are involved. The aim is that companies will already have access to digital tools for participative management and employee experience-based development during the project.

In addition to Laurea and the University of Lapland, international partners are also involved in the project. These are Kyushu University in Japan and Mälardalen University in Sweden.

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