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Marko Rillo serves as the Head of MBA Curriculum at the Estonian Business School (EBS), an institution focused on business education. He holds a PhD in Management from the University of St.Gallen (Switzerland), specializing in Organizational Ambidexterity and Strategic Practices, alongside an MA in Economics from TalTech and a Bachelor’s degree from EBS. His academic career includes teaching courses such as Innovation Management, Strategic Management, and VUCA Innovation Practices. His research emphasizes workplace playfulness through LEGO Serious Play methodology and strategic leadership challenges in balancing innovation and operational effectiveness. Education Background: PhD in Management, University of St.Gallen (2020) MA in Economics, TalTech Bachelor’s Degree, Estonian Business School Advanced studies in Strategy and Innovation at INSEAD, IESE, Aarhus University, and Lappeenranta University of Technology Research Interests: His work spans organizational strategy, innovation management, change management, and leadership development. Notably, he has pioneered LEGO Serious Play methodologies in facilitation and strategic planning. His studies on ambidexterity explore how organizations balance exploration (innovation) and exploitation (efficiency) under leadership. Publications and Themes: His articles focus on strategy process dynamics, balanced scorecard applications, and workshop facilitation techniques. Recent work highlights client-centric strategies and conscious incompetence frameworks in team development. Recognition and Impact: Consulting experience with the European Commission, EBRD, and UN Developed training programs for businesses and institutions Advising and Outreach: Runs the social initiative Bright Knit l, enhancing student well-being through community engagement. No formal advisees listed, but contributes to curriculum design impacting students indirectly. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with EBS faculty on MBA program development and innovation initiatives.

• Organizational Strategy
• Innovation Management
• Change Management
• +3 more

Marianne Kallaste is a Lecturer at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), School of Business and Governance, Department of Business Administration. She serves as Programme Director for International Business Administration (0.20 FTE) and has held various roles including Lecturer, Research Fellow, and project coordinator. Education: Master's Degree (2011) in Organizational Culture from TalTech; PhD studies (interrupted) in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Research Focus: Entrepreneurial ecosystems, problem-based learning, university-business collaboration, SME internationalization Project Leadership: Currently leads 'Digital-Physical Hybrid Architecture of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem' (2025-2029, €116,518) Her work emphasizes transforming higher education through entrepreneurial mindsets and cross-disciplinary approaches. She has co-authored 15+ publications analyzing Estonian entrepreneurship ecosystems, university innovation capacity, and open innovation strategies in post-socialist contexts. Scientific Awards: 2024 TalTech Department of Business Administration award for academic innovation in large research project submissions As project leader for multiple EU-funded initiatives (e.g., BeComE, INNOLAB), she bridges academia and industry while serving on the Estonian Economic Association and Estonian Andragogy Association.

• Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
• Business Administration
• Higher Education Innovation
• +5 more

Annukka Jyrämä is Professor of Cultural Management at Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT) since 2012 (0.75 part-time) and Senior Advisor at Aalto University. She holds a Ph.D. in Marketing from Helsinki School of Economics (1999) and a Master's in International Business (1991). Her research integrates cultural management, arts marketing, and organizational studies. Research Focus: Jyrämä's work explores co-creation dynamics, cultural policy frameworks, technology adoption in arts management, and organizational identity. Recent projects examine mentorship models and cultural joint ventures. Her research consistently addresses inclusivity and sustainability in creative ecosystems. Publications: Recent articles emphasize participatory cultural practices, policy capacity-building, and digital transformation in arts management, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches across 63+ publications. Awards: Best Paper Award, AIMAC 2015 (Management) Supervision & Projects: Mentored 47+ graduate students and 2 postdocs. Leads EU-funded projects like 'Reinventing Mentoring in Arts Management' (€319,999) and 'Inclusive Wellbeing Through Arts in Baltics'. Current work includes orchestra identity studies and EU Erasmus collaborations.

• Cultural Management
• Arts Marketing
• Co-creation
• +3 more

Aleksandra Kekkonen is a Senior Research Fellow at the Estonian Business School's Center for Management Studies, specializing in sustainable development and green transition. She holds a PhD in Economics from the Russian Academy of Sciences (2013) and has over 11 years of experience in human capital, labor market, and education system research at national/international levels. Current roles: Research Fellow (EBS), Project Lead in sustainability initiatives Prior institutions: Petrozavodsk State University (Senior Researcher, 2014–2019) Research focus: Circular economy, green economy innovation, sustainability policy, and labor market dynamics Teaching includes courses like 'Green Economy', 'Circular Economy', and 'Sustainability Crisis Management' Research Highlights: Her work bridges sustainability theory and practice, with recent studies on corporate green transition barriers, community-driven financial ecosystems, and multi-level stakeholder frameworks for regional transitions. Key publications include Social Inclusion and Community Participation in Driving Sustainable Financial Ecosystems (2025) and Operationalizing Doughnut Economics (2024). Awards: EBS Green Ambassador (2022), 'UMNIK' Youth Innovation Competition Winner (2015), and multiple research recognitions for labor market studies in Karelia. Projects: Leads initiatives such as the COST Action 'Transformations for Sustainable Futures' and an AI-driven green entrepreneurship course. Previously managed EU-funded projects like the Innovative Finance Inclusion initiative. Labs/Teams: Coordinates the Sustainable Circular Economy research group at EBS, focusing on transdisciplinary solutions for green innovation and stakeholder engagement.

• Sustainable Development
• Green Transition
• Circular Economy
• +4 more

Üllas Ehrlich is an Associate Professor at the Department of Business Administration, School of Business and Governance, Tallinn University of Technology. He previously held roles including Professor (2017–2020), Dean (2010–2016), and Head of the Centre for Economic Research (2007–2009). His research focuses on environmental economics, ecological valuation, and sustainable development. He has extensive experience in academic leadership, including managing EU-funded projects and editorial roles in journals like Research in Economics and Business . Education: Ph.D. in Ecological Economics (University of Tartu, 2007), M.Sc. in Socio-economic Value of Protected Areas (University of Tartu, 1995). Key research areas include non-market valuation of ecosystem services, environmental policy, and sustainable resource management. Publications emphasize ecosystem service valuation, environmental policy tools, and organizational learning in higher education. Current projects include socio-economic evaluations of nature capital and water resource management.

• Environmental Economics
• Ecological Economics
• Sustainable Development
• +4 more

Toomas Saarsen is a Lecturer (0.90 FTE) at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science since 2017. He holds a Doctor's Degree (2017) from the same institution under supervisor Marlon Dumas, focusing on process model structures and their interplay. His research interests include process modeling, business process management, and systems theory. Education: PhD in Computer Science (2011–2017), MSc in Computer Science (1991–1992), and Applied Mathematics (1986–1991), all from the University of Tartu. Notable projects include leading the 'Data-Driven Management of Software and Business Processes' (2014–2019), funded by the Estonian Research Council (€1,499,565). Research focuses on process documentation assessment, enterprise modeling, and strategic risk analysis using FEM models. His work bridges theoretical models with practical implementation challenges in business process management.

• Process Modelling
• Business Process Management
• Computer Science
• +3 more

Katri Kerem is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Entrepreneurship and Business Administration Bachelor's Programme at Estonian Business School (EBS). She previously held roles as Professor of Marketing and Head of the Marketing Department. With a PhD in Economics from Tallinn University of Technology (2003), her research focuses on consumer behavior, marketing strategy, sustainability, and technology adoption. She has led projects such as curriculum reform at Yerevan Haybusak University and Valga County's education strategy. Notable awards include the 2017 Emerald Literati Network Highly Commended Paper Award and 2011 Emerald/CEEMAN Case Competition recognition. Her work bridges academic contributions with practical applications in marketing, digital transformation, and organizational change. Education: Bachelor of International Economics, University of Tartu (1994) Master of Business Administration, Tallinn University of Technology (1998) Doctor of Philosophy in Economics, Tallinn University of Technology (2003) Research Interests : Dr. Kerem investigates consumer behavior dynamics, particularly in digital contexts such as e-banking adoption, social media influence, and athlete branding. Her work explores how marketing strategies align with sustainability goals and how technology shapes consumer choices. Recent projects analyze generative AI in education and responsible marketing frameworks. Key Projects : 2024: Curriculum reform & modern teaching methods at Yerevan Haybusak University 2023: Valga County education strategy 2024–2035 Grants & Awards : €49,732 from Estonian Development Cooperation Foundation for YHU curriculum project Emerald Literati Network awards for impactful research (2006, 2017) Lab/Team : Active in EBS's Marketing and Communication Department, leading initiatives in sustainable business practices and digital marketing innovation.

• Consumer Behavior
• Marketing
• Sustainability
• +4 more

Dr. Jennifer Aaker is the General Atlantic Professor and Coulter Family Faculty Fellow at the Stanford Graduate School of Business . A leading behavioral scientist, she explores how purpose and meaning influence individual choices, and how emerging technologies like AI and Mixed Reality redefine human interaction and well-being. Her work bridges academic rigor with practical applications in business, personal growth, and organizational culture. Co-author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Humor, Seriously (2021) Co-developer of the Stanford GSB course Humor: Serious Business Featured in The Economist , New York Times , and Science journals Her research identifies humor as a critical tool for leadership, creativity, and emotional resilience , supported by experimental studies and collaborations with comedians. She also investigates unconventional time-use strategies for meaningful experiences and technology's role in fostering human connection. Scientific Recognition: Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award MBA Professor of the Year Coulter Family Faculty Fellowship At Stanford, she teaches courses including Designing AI for Human Well-Being , Rethinking Purpose , and VR/AR: Power of Story , emphasizing experiential learning and real-world impact.

• Behavioral Science
• Humor in Business Leadership
• Purpose and Meaning in Human Behavior
• +3 more

Tiia-Triin Truusa is a sociologist specializing in military-civilian interactions and defense studies. Currently serves as Manager of Academic and Outreach Activities at the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) since 2020. Concurrently holds a part-time Research Fellow position (0.20 FTE) at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Social Studies since 2022. Education: PhD in Sociology (2022) from University of Tartu, M.S.W. (2010), and B.A. in Social Work (2003). Her research focuses on military sociology, conscription systems, veteran transition, and civil-military relations in post-Soviet contexts. Active in defense policy research through projects funded by Estonian Research Council and Defense Forces. Key research interests include: Civil-military entanglement in modern societies Conscription models and their societal impacts Military family dynamics and identity negotiation Hybrid threat defense strategies National security narratives Recent work emphasizes comparative analysis of conscription practices across Europe, leadership perceptions among Estonian soldiers, and societal resilience against hybrid threats. Editor for Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies and former president of European Research Group on Military and Society (ERGOMAS).

• Military Sociology
• Social Sciences
• Conscription Studies
• +5 more

Wolfgang Dieter Gerstlberger is a Professor of Operations Management at the Department of Business Administration, School of Business and Governance, Tallinn University of Technology. His academic career includes roles as a Professor at Technical University Dresden (2005–2009) and Associate Professor at the University of Southern Denmark (2009–2019). He holds a PhD in Public-Private Partnerships and Urban Development from Kassel University (1999) and completed his habilitation in Economics at the same institution (2004). His research focuses on circular economy, sustainability, innovation management, and strategic business practices. Key areas include SME sustainability transitions, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of digital transformation with environmental goals. He leads projects funded by EU and national grants, such as developing circular economy strategies for municipalities and analyzing green mobility solutions in the Baltic region. Gerstlberger has advised over 20 doctoral and master’s students, many focusing on sustainability-related topics. He was honored with the 2016 Outstanding Reviewer Award for the Journal of Cleaner Production. His work bridges academic research with practical applications, emphasizing policy and corporate strategies for sustainable development.

• Circular Economy
• Sustainability
• Operations Management
• +6 more

Gunnar Klaus Prause is a Professor at the Department of Business Administration, School of Business and Governance at Tallinn University of Technology (since 2023). He holds a 0.25 FTE position, reflecting his active engagement in research and academic leadership. Previously, he served as a Professor at Wismar Business School (since 1994) and held administrative roles including Vice-Rector of Research at Wismar University (2007–2010) and Vice-Dean of Research and International Relations at Wismar Business School (2005–2007). His academic career spans over three decades in business administration and economics. His research focuses on logistics, sustainability, digital transformation, and maritime supply chains. Specific interests include green energy applications (e.g., ammonia as marine fuel), smart city/port integration, blockchain for supply chain resilience, and circular economy models. He leads/coordinates projects such as the Centre of Excellence in Circular Economy for Strategic Mineral and Carbon Resources (2024–2030) and generative AI-driven ESG education curricula (2025–2027). Dr. Prause has secured over €7 million in EU and international grants, including projects on Baltic Sea region competitiveness, clean shipping platforms, and SME internationalization. His work bridges academic research with practical applications in logistics, energy, and policy. He has authored/co-authored 263 publications, emphasizing peer-reviewed articles and conference papers on topics like sustainable port operations, digital transformation challenges, and ammonia safety in maritime contexts. His research outputs frequently address interdisciplinary challenges at the intersection of technology, environment, and business strategy.

• Economics
• Business Management
• Logistics
• +3 more

Mike Franz Wahl is an Associate Professor of Strategic Management at Tallinn University of Technology's Faculty of Economics and Business, within the Institute of Business Administration. He holds a PhD in Business Administration from the same institution. His research focuses on corporate governance systems, business ownership dynamics, and strategic management, with a particular emphasis on aligning organizational values and governance structures. He has held visiting professor roles at Bucharest University of Economics Studies and Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University. His administrative roles include leading the Institute of Business Administration's organizational and management education programs. Education: PhD in Business Administration (2011, Tallinn University of Technology), MBA (2004), and earlier degrees in engineering and architecture. His academic service includes editorial roles for journals like the International Journal of Public Sector Performance Management and conference organizing roles such as Track Chair at EURAM Annual Conference. He has contributed to policy development, particularly in Baltic region mobility solutions. Research Interests: Corporate governance systems incorporating values, business ownership typology, strategic audit methodologies, sustainable education through serious games, and leadership in crisis contexts. He emphasizes practical applications of governance frameworks in diverse sectors like healthcare and academia. Labs/Projects: Active in EU-funded projects such as 'BalticSeaBioMed' and 'Escaping New Disinformation', focusing on governance and digital education. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with real-world management challenges, advocating for precision in ownership strategies and ethical leadership.

• Strategic Management
• Corporate Governance
• Food Industry Management
• +3 more

Astra Schults is an Associate Professor at Tallinn University's School of Natural Sciences and Health, specializing in School and Counseling Psychology. She holds a Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Tartu (2016) and a Master's Degree in Research Psychology (2005). Her career includes roles as a Lecturer in School Psychology at the University of Tartu and Research Fellow in Developmental Psychology. Current Position: Associate Professor (1.00 FTE) Research Focus: Social skills development, language acquisition, and early childhood education Administrative Roles: Member of the National Institute for Health Development's Prevention Research Council, Estonian Quality Agency for Education's General Education Council, and Programme Director for School Psychologists' Internship Professional Memberships: Estonian Association for Mental Health for Young Children, European Association for Developmental Psychology, and International School Psychology Association Research Interests: Astra's work centers on understanding developmental pathways in children, particularly focusing on social skill formation, vocabulary development, and the impact of environmental factors. She has pioneered studies on Estonian children's early communicative development and assessment tools like the LAHE e-assessment system for five-year-olds. Her publications span developmental psychology, educational technology, and cross-cultural temperament studies. Notable projects include investigations into institutional childcare services and early identification of at-risk children. Awards: 2003 I Prize in Estonian National Contest for Young Scientists Grants: Over €500,000 in funding for projects on child development, prevention strategies, and educational assessment tools Labs/Teams: Leads Tallinn University's School Psychology initiatives and collaborates with the National Institute for Health Development on prevention research.

• Developmental Psychology
• Child Development
• Social Skills Development
• +3 more

Kristina Mullamaa is a Lecturer in English and Swedish language at the University of Tartu's College of Foreign Languages and Cultures, Institute of Germanic, Romance and Slavonic Languages and Literatures, Department of English Language and Literature. She also serves as the Head of the Scandinavian Studies Department. Her academic career spans over two decades with a focus on Scandinavian languages, cultural communication, and educational methodologies. Dr. Mullamaa earned her Doctoral Degree in 2006 from the University of Tartu with a dissertation titled "Towards a dynamic role conception of liaison interpreters: An ethnographic study of self-descriptions of practising liaison interpreters in Estonia," supervised by Krista Vogelberg and Stig Örjan Ohlsson. Her research interests focus on Scandinavian Studies , Language Teaching , Cultural Communication , Educational Leadership , Bilingualism , and Interpreting Studies . Dr. Mullamaa has extensively examined the nuances of Estonian-Swedish cultural communication patterns, Nordic business cultures, and student-centered teaching approaches. Her work bridges linguistic theory with practical applications in language education and cross-cultural understanding. Dr. Mullamaa has secured significant research funding, including the ETF post-doc grant (2011-2015), Kultuurimälu grant (2015), and as Principal Investigator for projects such as "Teacher training programme and web-based materials pool for teachers of Swedish as the general language in Estonia and on Iceland" (2019-2022) and "The development of dialogue interpreting in Estonia: reflections of a transition society" (2012-2015). Her publications reveal a consistent focus on educational innovation, cultural communication patterns between Nordic and Baltic countries, and language teaching methodologies. Her scientific contributions include numerous publications in international journals and conference proceedings, with recent work examining empathetic leadership across Nordic and Baltic countries, online language learning approaches, and cultural consciousness in educational settings. Dr. Mullamaa has supervised Master's students, including Inna Leiman's research on "Bilingualism And Interpreters: The Influence of The First Language on Bilingual Interpreters." She has also contributed to international academic cooperation through her work with Stockholm University's Translation Institute as a guest researcher (2010/2011).

• Scandinavian Studies
• Language Teaching
• Cultural Communication
• +3 more

Maarja Murumägi serves as Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at Estonian Business School (EBS), holding a concurrent 0.1 FTE Lecturer role. She has been with EBS since 2005, progressing from Assistant (2005-2008) to full-time Lecturer (2008-2017) before assuming her current leadership role in 2017. Her academic background includes a Master's in Public Administration from Tallinn University of Technology and a Bachelor's in Public Administration from EBS. Her research focuses on public-private sector collaboration , local governance frameworks , and organizational change dynamics . Notable work includes analyzing Tallinn City Hall's urban planning networks and Finnish direct democracy mechanisms. She has supervised 5 master's theses since 2012, covering topics like organizational change in top management and digital hub strategies. Murumägi actively contributes to academic communities through roles like EGOS 2018 Local Organizing Committee Co-Chair and EURAM 2011 Conference Head. She maintains memberships in AOM, BAM, EURAM, and EGOS.

• Public Administration
• Organizational Change Management
• Urban Planning
• +3 more