Leppälä et al. (2024). Utilizing Ethnographical Approaches to Study the Abstract, Intimate, and Dynamic Topic of Trust
Summary: We write of studying the dynamic and intimate subject of trust, and how different ethnographic methodologies can be used (and experienced by the researcher) during the study of unfolding and dynamic events. Thinking of the sensitivities in ethnographic research, this paper brings value for those studying unfolding and dynamic phenomena such as social aspects […]
Growing pressure on sustainability reporting for SMEs in EU
Krista Leppänen’s blog text on the circular economy in sustainability reporting. The emergence of the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) has sparked discussions about its impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While direct impacts on SMEs are waiting in the future, some indirect requirements might be surprisingly close. Set to take effect […]
Circular economy in European sustainability reporting
Krista Leppänen’s blog text on the circular economy in sustainability reporting. In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in corporate sustainability reporting, with more companies highlighting their efforts to be responsible. However, despite its growing importance, circular economy (CE) is still not as present in these reports as it should be. Dagiliene et al. (2020) […]
Leppälä & Lehtimäki (2024). Installation humor: a resistive social practice identified in the engineering workplace
Summary: We studied humor as a resistive practice in a workplace with highly educated employees. This study took place as an at-home ethnography, with the first author being a full member of the research site. We described acts of resistant behavior through a form of humor we identified as Installation Humor. This type of study […]
Sengupta et al. (2024). Reducing food loss through sustainable business models and agricultural innovation systems
Summary: This longitudinal qualitative research in a developing country with food loss challenges in the post-harvest supply chain examines how sustainable business models (SBM) can be developed within agri-innovation systems in such a way that the two integrate with a systemic understanding for reducing food loss and value loss. First, the study identifies the various […]
Lehtimäki et al. (2023). The Routledge handbook of Catalysts for a Sustainable Circular Economy
Summary: This groundbreaking handbook leads the way in accelerating the transition to a sustainable circular economy by introducing the concept of a catalyst as a positive and enhancing driving force for sustainability. Catalysts create and maintain favorable conditions for complex systemic sustainability transition changes, and a discussion and understanding of catalysts is required to move […]
Re-imagining Sustainable Futures in Business
Hanna Lehtimäki’s blog text on the World Economy Forum.
Lampinen, M. (2023). Barriers and opportunities of circular economy – sustainable development and circular economy in companies in Seinäjoki region
Summary: The study aims to find out how sustainable development, but especially the circular economy, is perceived by companies operating in the Seinäjoki region and what kind of obstacles and opportunities are seen in its implementation. The research material consists of thematic interviews with seven companies, three sustainability reports and three policy programmes, the latter […]
Lehtimäki et al. (2023). Project-based practices for promoting a sustainability transition in a city organization and its urban context
Summary: We studied a project that was working on urban circular economy to initiate sustainability change in a city. We present longitudinal participatory action research on the activities of a project management team in a city organization. We used practice-theory perspective in analyzing the praxes of the project team. The results of our study show […]
Leppälä et al. (2023). Lifecycle extension of single-use medical device sensors: Case study of an engineering sustainability transition program
Summary: We describe the processes and verification testing of a medical device engineering team (the authors) performed during their first sustainability transition project on a commercialized, single use sensor product; no changes to the device were made. This sensor was composed of sensitive plastics, gels, metals, and electronic parts and was intended for direct skin […]