Jako van Slooten

Jako van Slooten is a lecturer-researcher at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences' Rotterdam Business School, specializing in Finance & Accounting. He also teaches Enterprise Risk Management at The Hague University of Applied Sciences' Master's program. With a background as CFO, Risk and Compliance Officer, and Finance Process Director at international companies, he brings extensive practical experience to his academic roles.

• Graduated from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam as business economist and Registered Controller (RC)
• Teaches second and third-year F&A students and the minor International Sustainable Finance & Management
• Works with the Business Innovation Knowledge Center
• Won Inspiration Award from Rotterdam Business School in 2024

Van Slooten's research focuses on the intersection of finance, sustainability, and business model innovation. His primary interest lies in how organizations can successfully transition to circular business models, particularly examining the financing challenges faced by SMEs adopting Product-as-a-Service (PaaS) approaches. He applies integrated thinking to organizational governance, emphasizing that financial management must support broader sustainability goals while maintaining business viability. His work bridges academic theory with practical business applications, bringing real-world insights into the classroom.

His recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward examining the financial mechanisms enabling circular business transitions. The research spans from practical implementation guides for businesses to broader national strategies for achieving circularity by 2050. A recurring theme is the tension between short-term financial metrics and long-term sustainable value creation, with emphasis on developing appropriate measurement frameworks that capture social and environmental impact alongside financial performance.

• Inspiration Award from Rotterdam Business School (2024)
• Author of multiple books including 'Navigeren met KPI-dashboards' (2022), 'Navigeren op essentie' (2020), and 'OR en financieel management' (2023)

As an educator, van Slooten actively mentors students with their thesis research and incorporates his research findings into the curriculum, particularly the International Sustainable Finance & Management minor. He serves as chairman of the Foundation for Cooperation between Education and Business in Ridderkerk (SOB Ridderkerk), strengthening connections between academic institutions and industry. His teaching philosophy centers on people and processes rather than pure numbers, focusing on explaining complex concepts and seeking improvements through engagement with diverse cultures and perspectives.

Van Slooten leads the SIA-RAAK research project 'From Owning to Renting' in collaboration with multiple universities of applied sciences, investigating how SMEs can successfully finance circular business models. His work with student researchers in the International Sustainable Finance & Management minor demonstrates his commitment to involving students directly in cutting-edge research that addresses real-world sustainability challenges.