Koen Dittrich

Koen Dittrich is an Assistant Professor at the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University, where he is affiliated with the Department of Technology and Operations Management. His work bridges innovation management and sustainability, focusing on transformative business models and systemic change.

• PhD in Innovation Networks, Delft University of Technology (awarded 2004)

Dr. Dittrich’s research centers on sustainable innovation, particularly sustainable business model innovation, circular economy, closed-loop supply chains, and open innovation. His work explores how organizations can align economic goals with environmental and social sustainability through strategic innovation. He investigates both firm-level and systemic transformations, often in collaboration with industry and public sector partners.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward practical sustainability transitions, crisis-driven innovation (e.g., during the pandemic), and stakeholder integration in sustainable organizing. Themes such as frugal innovation, sustainable consumer behavior, and circular spatial development indicate a broad and applied research agenda addressing real-world sustainability challenges.

Dr. Dittrich received the Emerald Citation of Excellence Award in 2011 for his influential article on Nokia published in The Journal of Product Innovation Management, recognized as one of the top 50 most impactful management papers globally. This highlights the high academic and practical relevance of his work.

He actively contributes to the scholarly community through editorial roles in leading journals including Research Policy, Journal of Product Innovation Management, and Industrial Marketing Management. While specific grant details are not listed, his sustained research output and editorial engagements suggest ongoing funding and collaborative projects. He has supervised academic work, as indicated by two supervised entries, though student names are not disclosed.

His research is embedded in interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly around sustainability transitions, urban development, and innovation ecosystems. He works closely with scholars across Europe and contributes to knowledge transfer through books, policy-oriented reports, and academic leadership.