Resilience and Innovative Business and Society
Strengthen the competitiveness of companies and society.
Ability to change helps companies and society to understand changes and adapt to the demands of technology and sustainable development. We develop solutions that strengthen anticipation and accelerate adaptation. In the study, we focus on analysing the current situation, setting goals and designing functional solutions together with those affected by the change.
In a changing operating environment, organisations and individuals must be able to renew and adapt to remain competitive. Our research supports this goal by developing innovation, change and renewal capabilities and by promoting networking both regionally and internationally. We support organisations in building sustainable structures and operating culture that enable change and continuous development through co-creation and research-based innovation.
Digitalisation offers significant opportunities for promoting sustainable development and the circular economy. In our research, we focus on supporting companies in utilizing digitalization, optimizing material flows, and developing regenerative business models. We develop solutions that help companies respond to changes in legislation and improve their sustainability communication and enable more efficient use of resources in a circular economy.
The green transition requires society to be able to change and find fair solutions. We will study how the resilience of livelihoods and rural communities that utilise natural resources can be strengthened and how the benefits and challenges of the green transition can be shared fairly. We focus on local solutions that support climate change adaptation, regional vitality and participatory decision-making.
In the development of services for the elderly, we focus on customer-oriented and digital services delivered to the home. Our research promotes the participation of older people and other stakeholders in the development of services and supports the introduction of new technological solutions. Our goal is to build a centre of excellence that strengthens the competence of operators and promotes the wider use of digital health and social services regionally, nationally and internationallyottoa. Tavoitteenamme on rakentaa osaamiskeskittymä, joka vahvistaa toimijoiden kompetenssia ja edistää digitaalisten sote-palvelujen laajempaa käyttöä alueellisesti, kansallisesti ja kansainvälisesti.
Our research groups
Resilience and innovative business and society focus area consists of four research groups.
Our research group focuses on the opportunities and challenges brought by digitalization in the contexts of health, well-being, and working life. Digitalization is reshaping our everyday lives and competence needs – whether as users of digital solutions, professionals supporting their adoption, or experts developing them. Amidst these changes, there is a need for new forms of understanding and expertise, as well as collaboration between diverse actors and stakeholders. Key themes in our work include the diversifying requirements for digital competence, the digitalization of working life, community in the digital age, and the development of digital and technological services in the social and health care sector. Our aim is to strengthen digital skills across different professional groups, promote the development of customer-oriented digital services, strengthen the ethics of human–technology interaction, and create new, innovative service concepts in collaboration with various stakeholders.
In our research and development projects, we address digitalization and digital competence in working life as well as the development of customer-oriented services. We collaborate with wellbeing services counties, companies from various sectors, third sector organizations, local residents, and students. The methods we develop are implemented in cooperation with our partners. In our research and development work, we utilize the experiences and perspectives of professionals from different fields, as well as those of service users and developers.
Digitalisation enables progress towards sustainability and circular economy goals. We develop innovative solutions to help businesses adapt to changing legislation and promote circular practices. Our research supports the transition to a carbon-neutral circular society. We focus on sustainable industry and innovation, sustainable cities, and responsible consumption and production, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. At the EU level, we address waste and recycling, industrial emissions, environmental claims, and critical raw materials. Nationally, we promote reduced use of non-renewable resources and improved material efficiency, as well as digital solutions that support circularity.
Our team creates user-driven, data-based solutions and strengthens companies’ innovation and digital capabilities. We support reliable digital information sharing, efficient recycling markets, and high-quality waste management. We help businesses analyse and optimise material flows, verify green claims, and develop regenerative business models and responsible communication. Our work serves companies, recycling and waste operators, and producer organisations, and contributes to the development and verification of the circular economy system.
Anne-Mari Järvenpää
Principal Research Scientist, tenure track
This section is a work in progress.
This section is a work in progress.
Our projects
Accelerating Climate-Friendly Waterway Investments
In the project “Vauhtia ilmastomyönteisiin vesistöinvestointeihin (VIIVI)”, we aim to improve water well-being in Kanta-Häme, prevent nutrient runoff, adapt to climate change, and safeguard biodiversity.
AMKmicro – Continuous learning and micro-credentials for working life development
In the AMKmicro project, we strengthen universities of applied sciences’ capabilities to develop continuous learning — particularly the offering, design, implementation, and visibility of micro-credentials — to maintain, enhance, and renew the skills of the working-age population and working life.
Coordination Project for the National ERDF Themes for Green Transition
The task of the coordination project is to strengthen the impact and effectiveness of the national themes of the green transition (energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction, climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, as well as a carbon-neutral circular economy society) by supporting projects implementing these themes and facilitating collaboration between the projects and…
Cutting Food Loss and Waste in Europe (CIBUS)
CIBUS aims to reduce food loss and waste by increasing regions’ capacity to develop innovative regional policies. Local and regional authorities have an important role in creating a policy environment that stimulates prevention and reduction of food loss and waste.
DAVE – Data-driven circular economy R&D eco-innovation system and demonstration environment
The project creates a data-driven circular economy hub in Kanta-Häme, advancing eco-friendly solutions through digitalization.
DEFINE – Defence Innovation Network Finland
Defence Innovation Network Finland (DEFINE) is an open network that brings together The Finnish Defence Forces, defence and security companies, educational institutions and research institutes, as well as other stakeholders in Riihimäki and the Kanta-Häme region.
InnoCareHub
Yhdistämme Kanta-Hämeen kotihoidon toimijat, teknologiayritykset ja alueen asukkaat kehittämään uusia koti- ja etähoidon palveluita ja vahvistamaan digiosaamista.
Contact us
Anne-Mari Järvenpää
Principal Research Scientist, tenure track
