Tapani Rinta-Kahila

Tapani Rinta-Kahila serves as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Information and Service Management at Aalto University School of Business. His research centers on critical challenges in Information Systems, particularly technical debt management and legacy system modernization within complex organizational contexts. With extensive publication activity from 2014 to 2025, he has established expertise in analyzing system maintenance challenges and commercial-off-the-shelf implementations through rigorous case studies.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Business Technology, Aalto University School of Business (2011)

Rinta-Kahila's research spans Information Systems with deep specialization in technical debt phenomena, legacy system dynamics, and business process optimization. His work examines sociotechnical interdependencies in system replacements, documentation debt resolution, and the cascading effects of technical debt accumulation. Methodologically, he employs detailed case studies to investigate organizational challenges in maintaining aging systems while integrating new technologies, with growing attention to artificial intelligence applications in system maintenance workflows.

Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals a concentrated focus on technical debt resolution strategies, interdependencies among debt types, and real-world case studies of organizations navigating transitions between legacy and new commercial systems. His research consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical implementation challenges, emphasizing actionable frameworks for system maintenance and modernization in corporate environments.

Scientific Awards:

No scientific awards or honors were documented in the provided profile information.

Advising and Grants:

The available information does not specify formal student advising roles or research grant funding. However, his extensive collaborative publication record with researchers like E. Penttinen and K. Lyytinen indicates active research engagement, though specific funding sources and mentorship activities remain unreported in the current profile.

Labs and Teams:

While no dedicated laboratory is referenced, Rinta-Kahila's research network includes significant collaborations with Aalto University colleagues and international institutions. His visiting positions at the Naval Postgraduate School in 2018 demonstrate cross-institutional research partnerships focused on system architecture and maintenance challenges.