Marius Trandheim Kristiansen

Marius Trandheim Kristiansen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management and Innovation at the University of Agder (UiA), Norway. His work bridges academic research and practical innovation, with strong ties to industry through projects like SFI Offshore Mechatronics.

Research Interests: His academic focus lies at the intersection of digital transformation and business innovation. He investigates how digital technologies enable business model innovation, particularly through digital servitization in manufacturing. His work explores critical challenges such as gaining ecosystem acceptance and building legitimacy for smart services within established industrial environments. Key areas include blockchain, distributed ledger technologies, and sustainable innovation transitions.

The recent publications highlight a consistent research trajectory centered on legitimacy and acceptance in digital servitization, especially within manufacturing ecosystems. His work combines case study methodologies with theoretical frameworks from innovation management and industrial marketing.

Scientific Contributions:

• Building legitimacy in digital servitization (2025)
• Gaining acceptance for digital servitization (2024)
• Ecosystem acceptance of digital servitization (2021)

Teaching and Professional Background: He teaches Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and is affiliated with the RIST Research Centre for Studies of Innovation for Sustainable Transition. Before academia, he was an entrepreneur and management consultant with over 10 years of experience in startups, strategy, and operations, particularly in the retail sector. He founded BAD NORWEGIAN AS and Trandheim Utvikling AS, and worked with Frost Nordic and South Africa’s Maxum incubator.

Labs and Research Groups: He is actively involved in the RIST research center and collaborates with SFI Offshore Mechatronics, indicating strong engagement with interdisciplinary and industry-linked research initiatives.