Mika Vanhala

Mika Vanhala is an Associate Professor in the Department of Business Studies at LUT Business School, Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT University), Finland. His academic work is centered on knowledge management, intellectual capital, human resource management, and organizational trust.

• Position: Associate Professor
• Institution: Lappeenranta University of Technology
• School: LUT Business School
• Department: Business Studies
• Email: Mika.Vanhala@lut.fi

Dr. Vanhala's research interests lie at the intersection of organizational behavior and strategic management. He investigates how knowledge management practices, HRM strategies, and intellectual capital influence organizational performance, innovation, and employee engagement. His work often explores the role of trust—particularly impersonal trust—as a mechanism for knowledge sharing and organizational effectiveness.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on knowledge protection, innovation in SMEs, and the impact of HRM on trust and performance. He frequently collaborates with leading scholars in the field, contributing to high-impact journals across business and management disciplines. The research spans both theoretical development and empirical validation, with applications in logistics, innovation management, and digital consumer behavior.

Dr. Vanhala has published extensively in top-tier journals such as Journal of Business Research, Human Resource Management Journal, and Journal of Knowledge Management. His work demonstrates a consistent trajectory in advancing the understanding of knowledge-intensive organizational processes.

While no specific awards or grants are listed in the provided information, his publication record and institutional affiliation reflect a strong scholarly presence. He has contributed to both journal articles and book chapters, indicating broad academic engagement.

Dr. Vanhala advises or collaborates with researchers and practitioners in the fields of innovation, HRM, and knowledge management. Although no formal students are listed, his collaborative publications suggest mentorship and research leadership roles.

He is actively involved in research teams focusing on intellectual capital, organizational trust, and innovation. His work on the impersonal trust scale has contributed to measurement development in organizational studies.