Personal profile
Short bio
I study how science, technology, and innovation policies can support a more sustainable future. As a social scientist, I focus on the people, organizations, processes, and policies that shape innovation. I lead research projects and work with companies and public organizations to find effective ways of promoting sustainable change.
Research interests
I’m interested in how new ideas and practices spread, and how more disruptive or radical initiatives manage to gain a foothold within organizations and wider ecosystems. I’m drawn to how innovation processes can be managed to break away from traditional routines and overcome the inertia that often slows down change.
Education/Academic qualification
Doctorate, Doctor of Science (Tech), Innovation management, Aalto University
Award Date: 26 Jun 2018
Master, Master of Social Sciences (Economics), University of Helsinki
Award Date: 20 Jun 2012
Skills and expertise
- Innovation Management
- Innovation Policy
- Cross-sectoral collaboration
- Sustainability
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 1 No Poverty -
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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ROMEO: Role-play methods for interaction and impact assessment in sustainable public procurement
Pihlajamaa, M. (Manager), Merisalo, M. (Participant), Valovirta, V. (Participant) & Nieminen, M. (Participant)
1/01/26 → 31/12/27
Project: Research Council of Finland
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Gen AI Pioneers: Generative AI Pioneers: Exploring and Developing Innovation Capabilities
Karvonen, A. (Manager), Pihlajamaa, M. (PI), Rilla, N. (Participant), Komonen, P. (Participant) & Hajikhani, A. (Participant)
1/09/25 → 31/08/27
Project: Business Finland project
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NORDLEAD: Cultivating Nordic lead markets: Cross-border collaboration as a catalyst for internationalization
Pihlajamaa, M. (Manager), Valovirta, V. (Participant), Hämäläinen, H. (Participant), Komonen, P. (Participant) & Suominen, A. (Participant)
16/09/24 → 15/09/26
Project: Business Finland project
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GOWELL: Governance of new technologies towards sustainability and well-being
Lehenkari, J. (PI), Lähteenmäki-Smith, K. (CoPI), Valovirta, V. (Participant), Pihlajamaa, M. (Participant), Leväsluoto, J. (Participant), Hämäläinen, H. (Participant), Ailisto, H. (Participant), Lähteenmäki, J. (Participant), Nurmi, O. (Participant) & Valkokari, K. (Owner)
1/08/24 → 31/07/26
Project: Business Finland project
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KANNUS: TEM Selvitys teknologiakehityksen investointikannusteista
Valovirta, V. (Manager), Deschryvere, M. (Participant) & Pihlajamaa, M. (Participant)
18/08/25 → 31/01/26
Project: Finnish government project
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Tensions in transforming an innovation policy paradigm: contextual variation and reflexive governance
Pihlajamaa, M., Entsalo, H., Horn, S., Hyytinen, K., Hämäläinen, H., Rilla, N. & Sigfrids, A., 22 Apr 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Industrial and Corporate Change. dtag023.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
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Promoting Green Lead Market Formation
Pihlajamaa, M., Valovirta, V., Hämäläinen, H. & Komonen, P., 16 Apr 2026, Business Finland. 16 p. (Policy Brief; No. 2/2026).Research output: Book/Report › Report
Open AccessFile5 Downloads (Pure) -
Preparing a social impact bond in a Nordic welfare state: governance challenges and hybrid responses
Pihlajamaa, M., Merisalo, M. & Saari, P., 29 Jan 2026, In: Journal of Public Procurement. 26, 1, p. 90-112Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access -
Radical Renewal – Why it is Critical for Companies and Why they Fail in it
Malmelin, N. & Pihlajamaa, M., 11 May 2026, In: The European Business Review. May/JuneResearch output: Contribution to journal › Article › Professional
Open Access -
Teknologiakehityksen investointikannusteet
Translated title of the contribution :Incentives to invest in technology development Research output: Book/Report › Report
Open AccessFile75 Downloads (Pure)
Datasets
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What does it take to generate new growth - Survey data on company perceptions on innovative behavior
Suominen, A. (Creator) & Pihlajamaa, M. (Creator), Zenodo, 5 Jan 2022
Dataset
Prizes
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Best Paper 2020 Award, Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management
Lorentz, H. (Recipient), Aminoff, A. (Recipient), Kaipia, R. (Recipient), Pihlajamaa, M. (Recipient), Ehtamo, J. (Recipient) & Tanskanen, K. (Recipient), 1 Apr 2021
Prize: Honorary award for a career
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Outstanding Reviewer Award, Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management
Pihlajamaa, M. (Recipient), Apr 2022
Prize: Honorary award for a career
Activities
- 4 Dissertation examiner or opponent
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Doctoral thesis examiner at the University of Tasmania
Pihlajamaa, M. (Reviewer)
30 Jul 2025Activity: Evaluation, assessment or examination types › Dissertation examiner or opponent
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Doctoral thesis examiner and opponent at the University of Deusto
Pihlajamaa, M. (Reviewer)
9 Sept 2024Activity: Evaluation, assessment or examination types › Dissertation examiner or opponent
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Doctoral thesis examiner at the Tampere University
Pihlajamaa, M. (Reviewer)
13 Jun 2023Activity: Evaluation, assessment or examination types › Dissertation examiner or opponent
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Doctoral thesis examiner at the Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT
Pihlajamaa, M. (Reviewer)
24 Mar 2020Activity: Evaluation, assessment or examination types › Dissertation examiner or opponent
Press/Media
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Suomen innovaatiot jäävät kuolemanlaaksoon – Keinoja auttamiseen olisi
Pihlajamaa, M. & Valovirta, V.
31/08/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Kestävä kasvu edellyttää yritysten sisäistä luovaa tuhoa
Malmelin, N. & Pihlajamaa, M.
19/05/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Perinteinen yritysten tutkimuksen ja kehityksen tukeminen ei enää riitä
Pihlajamaa, M. & Åkerman, M.
15/10/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Miljardien lisäykset tutkimukseen ja kehitykseen tulee käyttää oikein – Nämä viisi asiaa huomioitava
13/11/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Ennakointi vauhdittaa yritysten kestävää uudistumista
Malmelin, N. & Pihlajamaa, M.
26/08/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media