Samuli Patala

Samuli Patala serves as an Assistant Professor specializing in sustainability within business contexts, explicitly affiliated with the Department of Management Studies. His research directly advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through investigations into circular economy frameworks and sustainable resource governance, with particular emphasis on systemic transitions in industrial systems.

Patala's research portfolio centers on circular economy meta-organizing, value chain reconfiguration, and cross-sector partnership dynamics. He examines institutional interfaces where global formal policies interact with local informal practices, alongside place-based innovation ecosystems that drive sustainability transitions. His work consistently bridges theoretical frameworks in institutional theory with practical business applications for resource-intensive industries.

Analysis of his publication trajectory since 2016 reveals escalating scholarly impact, with his 2023 problematizing review of circular economy assumptions accumulating 69 Scopus citations. His research demonstrates methodological diversity—from configurational analyses of partnership portfolios to stakeholder interviews for data-driven circular systems—while maintaining thematic focus on value creation, resource governance, and systemic barriers in sectors like textiles and energy.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Carolyn B. Dexter Award for Best International Paper (2018)
• Distinguished Winner of 2023 Responsible Research in Management Award
• ONE Unorthodox Paper Award (2018)

Patala currently leads three major research initiatives as principal investigator: the Academy of Finland-funded Circular Design Network project (2021-2022), Business Finland's BF/SciSustain E70602 (2024-2026) focusing on biocolourants and sustainable materials, and the ongoing SA/GloWater project (2024-2027) addressing global water management challenges. These projects demonstrate his commitment to translating theoretical insights into actionable sustainability solutions through industry-academia collaboration and policy engagement.