Doctoral dissertation: Outdated values and rules the reason for the small number of Finnish growth companies
14.06.2012
The doctoral dissertation of Jari Handelberg, Lic.Sc. (Econ. & Bus. Admin.), completed at the Aalto University School of Economics explains why Finland produces few international growth companies although investments are made into education and research. Handelberg also sheds light on why entrepreneurship and growth entrepreneurship are now such popular topics in Finland unlike a couple of decades ago.
According to the dissertation, Finnish society is not up to date. The system dates back to an old-fashioned operating environment from a time when the world was split in two: the socialist and the capitalist world. At this time, Finland was still a very closed society and its market was regulated. Finns take the system that has formed over the years for granted, including its values, norms, rules and customs. Their actions and career orientation, among other things, arise from this system.
Identifying our operating environment is essential to the creation of growth companies
When socialism collapsed in the 1990s, the world rapidly turned into a more dynamic and hectic place. Former socialist countries began supporting a consumer- and market-driven economy. Discussing growth companies and their importance and challenges is part of this development. In order for us to be able to produce internationally significant growth companies and entrepreneurs in charge of them, we have to identify our operating environment and respond to its requirements.
The dissertation determines how the properties of the entrepreneurs and top management teams of young technology-based firms and other factors related to the operating environment affect the creation and growth of companies. The study consists of four essays that all contribute to clarifying the relationship between growth and the properties of top management.
Public examination of the doctoral dissertation
The doctoral dissertation of Jari Handelberg, Lic.Sc. (Econ. & Bus. Admin.), Aspects of Top Management Team and Firm Growth, in the subject area of entrepreneurship (Department of Management and International Business) will be examined at the Aalto University School of Economics on Wednesday 20 June 2012 at 12 noon (Assembly Hall B-163, 1st floor, Runeberginkatu 14-16, 00100 Helsinki).
Professor Antti Paasio (Turku School of Economics) and Professor Emeritus Asko Miettinen (Tampere University of Technology) will act as the opponents. Professor Arto Lahti will act as the custos. The examination will be held in Finnish.
Representatives of the media may request free copies of the dissertation from the Aalto University School of Economics Communications Unit, viestinta-econ(at)aalto.fi or tel. +358 50 566 5673. The dissertation can be ordered by email from: toolo(at)ayy.fi.
Further information: Jari Handelberg (jari.handelberg(at)aalto.fi), tel. +358 50 4385 736.
