Menu

Close

Research groups

Sustainable value creation research group

We are a multidisciplinary group of experts on sustainability and responsibility that takes a human-centered approach. We help solve sustainability-related challenges.

A sustainable future is created together

Our team offers expertise to support companies’ sustainability transition, the design of sustainable services, and the development of business models that promote circular economy and nature-positivity. We develop business and services together with customers and stakeholders, identifying sustainability-related value and new business opportunities. We work by applying, in particular, co-development, service design and circular-economy-based design methods to produce concrete services and impactful solutions that promote social and systemic change.

We have expertise in developing circular-economy-related business models and services and in strengthening circular economy competence within organisations. We take into account the UN Sustainable Development Goals and an organisation’s financial success in our work. We approach social responsibility from the perspectives of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). For example, we have expertise in how diversity is led, how an inclusive climate is measured in organisations, how to implement inclusive design and how to design services that take into account the needs of different target groups.

We work on the following themes, among others:

  • Innovative corporate responsibility and leadership
  • Renewing business models, circular economy, sustainable development and sustainable growth
  • Consumer behaviour and choice design
  • Systems thinking, holistic reasoning
  • Business models

Research themes and areas of expertise

  • Sustainable development – ecological, social, political and economic
  • Design thinking – service design, circular design, co-development and facilitation
  • Applied circular economy research, international collaboration, industry cooperation
  • Innovative food systems, fashion and textiles, business models

Publications

Peer-reviewed articles

Consumer behavior in fashion and textile industry

Aliabieva, L., Gurova, O., & Kucher, I. 2025. Mending Matters: Cultures and Contexts of Clothing Repair. Fashion Theory 29 (7), 889-897 (Editorial introduction to special issue). https://doi.org/10.1080/1362704X.2025.2574160

Gurova, O. 2024. Practice theory approach to Gen Z’s sustainable clothing consumption in Finland. Young Consumers 25 (3), 289–307.

Vänskä, A., Mickelsson, S., Morozova, D., Härkönen, H., Gurova, O., & Pirjatanniemi, E. 2023. Arctic childhood in data-driven culture: Wearable technology and children’s right to privacy in Finland. Critical Studies in Fashion and Beauty 14 (2), 263–285.

Vänskä, A., & Gurova, O. 2022. The Fashion Scandal: Social media, identity and the globalization of fashion in the 21st century. International Journal of Fashion Studies 9 (1), 5–27.

Morozova, D., & Gurova, O. 2022. How the Practice of Commercializing Comes Together and Falls Apart in a Market of Wearable Technologies. Journal of Consumer Culture 22 (3), 674–691.

Morozova, D., & Gurova, O. 2021. Being like Others Versus Being Different: Wearable Technology and Daily Practices of Consumers 50+ in Finland and Russia. International Journal of Consumer Studies 45 (6), 1335–1356.

Gurova, O. 2021. In Search for a Moneymaking Machine: Policy Towards Fashion in Finland. International Journal of Fashion Studies 8 (1), 45–66.

Gurova, O. 2021. Many Faces of Patriotism: Patriotic Dispositive and Creative (Counter-)Conduct of Russian Fashion Designers. Consumption, Markets & Culture 24 (2), 169–193.

Gurova, O., Merritt, T.R., Papachristos, E., & Vaajakaari, J. 2020. Sustainable Solutions for Wearable Technologies: Mapping the Product Development Lifecycle. Sustainability 12 (20), Sustainable Solutions for Wearable Technologies: Mapping the Product Development Life Cycle. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208444.

Sosial adjustment

Koivisto, J.-M., Nykänen, K., Kuuluvainen, S., Maunula, J., Kauhanen, E., Varjonen, K., Jumisko-Pyykkö, S., Koskela, K. & Romppanen, T. 2023. Designing and developing a virtual reality escape game for youth vocational rehabilitation. International Social Work 67 (1). SAGE Publications Sage UK: London, England. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00208728221143653.

Irani, F., Maunula, S., Muotka, J. Leppäniemi, M., Kukkonen, M., Monto, S. & Parviainen, T.  2022. Brain dynamics of recommendation-based social influence on preference change: A magnetoencephalography study. Social Neuroscience 17 (5), 397-413. https://doi.org/10.1080/17470919.2022.2126001.

Other articles and publications

Regerative food system

Jännäri, J. & Kuula, M. 2026. Kohti uudistavaa ruokajärjestelmää – innovaatiot, arvoverkosto ja kuluttajavalinnat muutoksen ajureina. Laurea Long 8|2026.

Sustainable fashion and textile industry

Alonso, R., Canova, N., Howlader, E., Nikola, T., Kuuluvainen, S. & Laakkonen, T. 2025. Developing circular business solutions for textile companies in the Nordic and Baltic market | Laurea Journal

Kortesalmi M., Gurova, O., Maamies T., Pöyry P. & Vassinen, S. 2024 ‘Mikä mukavalta tuntuu’ – nuorten aikuisten pohdintoja kestävästä vaatetuksesta | Laurea Journal

Prits E. & Gurova, O. 2024. Crafting Consciousness in Fashion: An Upcycling Workshop for Gen Z | Laurea Journal

Prits E., Gurova, O. & Kortesalmi M. 2023. Design thinking workshop as an educational nudge for sustainable fashion consumption | Laurea Journal

Prits E. & Gurova, O. 2023. Understanding Generation Z’s (un)sustainable fashion consumption: Insights from an Empathy Workshop for the VISU project | Laurea Journal

Responsible working life and leadership

Kuuluvainen S., Valsta, S. & Kosova M. 2025. How co-design supports creating collective understanding about what belonging means to immigrant women | Laurea Journal

Maunula, S. 2024. Täysin työkykyiset ovat taruolentoja – mihin tarvitaan osatyökykyisen leimaa? | Laurea Journal

Maunula, S. 2024. Olisiko aika hankkiutua eroon kukkahattutädistä? – sanavalinnoilla on merkitystä | Laurea Journal

Circular economy and RDI in building the sustainable futures

Laasonen, H. 2026. Anteeksi, mikä TKI? | Laurea Journal

Kytö, A. 2025. Kiertotalousvauhdittamon alkutaival, opit ja jatkomahdollisuudet – Theseus. Laurea Long 19 | 2025.

Laasonen, H. 2025 Kiertotaloudesta uskoa parempaan | Laurea Journal

Corporate responsibility and sustainability reporting

Laasonen, H. 2025 Kestävyyscanvas yritysten vastuullisuusajattelun edistäjänä – kokemuksia WeCircle-hankkeesta | Laurea Journal

Laasonen, H. 2024 Miksi pk-yrityksen kannattaa olla kiinnostunut kestävyysraportoinnista? | Laurea Journal

Hokkanen, T. & Laasonen, H. 2024 Cambridge Value Mapping Tool -työkalu yritysten vastuullisuuden aktivoijana | Laurea Journal

Laasonen, H., Laakkonen, T. & Hokkanen, T. 2024. Fasilitoinnin rooli Cambridge Value Mapping Tool -työpajoissa | Laurea Journal

Laasonen, H. 2023 Vastuullista yritysviestintää vai viherpesua? | Laurea Journal

Laasonen, H. & Hokkanen, T. 2023. Voiko arvon käsitteen parempi ymmärrys auttaa yrityksiä kohti kiertotaloutta ja vihreää siirtymää? | Laurea Journal

Konference publications

Kautto, D., Kinnunen, X., Asikainen, S.-K. & Huhtala, J.-P. 2025. Digital platform internationalization (2000-2025): Multidisciplinary thematic analysis and ontology of the field, Academy of International Business UK & Ireland, Surrey, UK.

Kinnunen, X., Kautto, D., Niittymies, A., Carrington, D., Asikainen, S.-K. & Huhtala & J.-P. 2025. Involuntary Internationalization: Internationalization Motives in Digital Platform Ecosystems, Academy of International Business UK & Ireland, Surrey, UK. (BEST CONFERENCE PAPER – RUNNER UP AWARD)

Kinnunen, X., Kautto, D., Niittymies, A., Carrington, D., Asikainen, S.-K. & Huhtala, J.-P. 2025. Involuntary Internationalization: Internationalization Motives in Digital Platform Ecosystems, Academy of Management Proceedings, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Back, H., Kautto, D., Hwang, S. & Diehl, M.-R. 2025. Too Unique for Inclusion? A Mixed-Method Study of Disabilities in an International Organization, Academy of Management Proceedings, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Kautto, D., Kähäri, P. & Smolander, A.-R. 2024. What are they looking at? The role of cognitive process of information gathering and processing in entrepreneurial attention allocation, Academy of Management Proceedings, Chicago, USA.

Kinnunen, X., Kautto, D., Asikainen, S.-K., Niittymies, A. & Carrington, D. 2024. Unpacking Managerial Decisions in Platform Internationalization: Exploring Cognitive Shifts in Early-Stage Decision-Making, European International Business Academy, December 12-15, Helsinki, Finland.

Kautto, D., Kähäri, P. & Smolander, A.-R. 2023. What are they looking at? The role of cognitive process of information gathering and processing in entrepreneurial attention allocation, European International Business Academy, December 15-17, Lisbon, Portugal.

Kautto, D., Kähäri, P. & Smolander, A.-R. 2023. Entrepreneurial decision-making in start-up location choice: The role of founder’s cognitive process and decision-making heuristic. Babson Entrepreneurship Conference, June 7-10, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.

Smolander, A.-R., Kautto, D. & Kähäri, P. 2023. The Role of Social Capital in Location Perceptions of Startup Founders: Information Asymmetry in Early-Stage Location Decisions. AIB Warsaw, July 5-9, Warsaw, Poland.

Maunula, S. 2022. Matalasti koulutettujen osaamisen kehittämisen esteet vantaalaisten työssäkäyvien kokemuksia. 3UAS-konferenssi: Johtaminen ja yrittäjyys – osa 4. ISBN 978-952-7474-23-5.

Books, separate publications and project final reports

Asikainen, S. K., Falana, W., Huhtala, J.-P., Kautto, D., Kinnunen, X., & Lashkova, K. (2026) Platform Playbook: Designing, Scaling, and Governing Digital Platform Ecosystem Across Borders. Aalto University School of Business. ISBN 978-952-64-9679-5, https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/items/83a50da1-8b46-4a0f-a3a1-ed33ce989a7a 

Gröhn, S., Wallin, H., Vitikka, M. & Wanhalinna V. 2026. Return to the table – lessons for utilising food side streams. Laurea University of Applied Sciences separate publication. ISBN: 978-951-799-738-6, Return to the table – lessons for utilising food side streams

Lappalainen, O., Maunula, S., Rossander, A., Saastamoinen, K., Seppälä, M., Tapiovaara, R., Wallin, H & Vlahopoulou, E. 2026. From electronic scrap to the circular economy of electronics – operating models, experiments and lessons. Laurea University of Applied Sciences separate publication. ISBN:978-951-799-736-2, From electronic scrap to the circular economy of electronics – operating models, experiments and lessons – Theseus

Rajalakso, M., Rinta-Jouppi, L. & Kärpänen, T. 2026. Vauhtia innovaatioille – toimintamalliehdotuksia vahvistamaan pk-yritysten innovaatiotoimintaa. Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulun julkaisuja. ISBN 978-951-799-751-5.

Hytönen, K., Kanerva, M. & Maunula, S. 2025. Decision-making phenomena in managing a diverse work community. Laurea publications. https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-799-727-0 

Maunula, S. & Peltomaa, V. 2024. A sustainable working life is built on understanding and acceptance of humanity. In the publication Future-proof Business – humane leadership, humane working life. Pages 119-124. https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-328-436-4

Maunula, S. 2024. Fully fit-to-work people are mythical creatures – why do we need the label ‘partially able-to-work’? Laurea Journal. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe202402278916

Maunula, S. 2024. Is it time to do away with the ‘kukkahattutäti’ stereotype? – word choices matter. Laurea Journal. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe202402268694

Vänska, A., & Gurova, O. (2024). Understanding Fashion Scandals: Social Media, Identity and Globalization. London: Bloomsbury Academics, 248 p.

Anttonen, M., Jussila, A., Kurkela, I., Merimaa, M., Montonen N. & Rieppo E. 2024. Kestävää tulevaisuutta luomassa – Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulun näkökulmia kestävään tulevaisuuteen. Laurea julkaisut. ISBN 978-951-799-711-9.

Hirvikoski, T. (toim.) 2023. Eurooppalainen korkeakoulu osallistavan tutkimus-, kehittämis- ja innovaatiotoiminnan mahdollistajaorkestroijana. Osa 2. Korkeakoulutoiminnan näkökulmia monitoimijaiseen yhteiskehittämiseen. Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulun erillisjulkaisu. ISBN 978-951-799-549-8.

Kuuluvainen, S. (toim.) 2023. Matkalla muotoilun osaajaksi — Kokemuksia maahanmuuttajanaisten palvelumuotoilukoulutuksesta. Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulun erillisjulkaisu. ISBN 978-951-799-562-7.

Risu, E. & Sitomaniemi, S. (toim.) 2023. Kuntalähtöisen Living Lab -toiminnan käsikirja pienille kunnille – Tulevaisuuden elävää maaseutua rakentamassa. Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulun erillisjulkaisu. ISBN 978-951-799-683-9.

Turunen, A., Uhlbäck-Ropponen, H., Colliander, H., Wallin, H., Lybäck, H., Kantala, J., Salo, L., Tolvanen, M., Vitikka, M. Lindholm, R., Gröhn, S., Minkkinen, S., Sarén, S., Kärkäs, S. & Hiltunen, T. 2023. More Responsible Table Setting. Laurea University of Applied Sciences separate publication. ISBN:978-951-799-672-3. More Responsible Table Setting – Theseus

Other publications (blogs and podcasts)

Circular Economy Living Lab

We cooperate with the Circular Economy Living Lab, which serves as Laurea’s showcase of circular economy expertise.

Contact us

  • Jatta Jännäri

    Manager, Research and Development

    jatta.jannari@laurea.fi

    +358 50 435 9358

Research group experts

  • Saara Gröhn

    Service Designer

    saara.grohn@laurea.fi

    +358 40 668 4891

  • Olga Gurova

    olga.gurova@laurea.fi

    +358 50 436 9318

  • Tero Hokkanen

    RDI Specialist

    tero.hokkanen@laurea.fi

    +358 50 413 1903

  • Daria Kautto

    Special Advisor

    daria.kautto@laurea.fi

  • Salla Kuuluvainen

    Specialist

    salla.kuuluvainen@laurea.fi

    +358 50 533 7078

  • Antti Kytö

    Service Designer

    antti.kyto@laurea.fi

    +358 50 383 9809

  • Hanne Laasonen

    Special Advisor

    hanne.laasonen@laurea.fi

    +358 50 479 4589

  • Oskari Lappalainen

    Specialist

    oskari.lappalainen@laurea.fi

    +358 50 576 5764

  • Sini Maunula

    Specialist

    sini.maunula@laurea.fi

    +358 9 886 871 72

  • Mira Rajalakso

    Specialist

    mira.rajalakso@laurea.fi

    +358 50 578 0073

  • Heidi Wallin

    Service Designer

    heidi.wallin@laurea.fi

    +358 50 439 0844

Projects related to the research group