Center for Knowledge and Innovation Research (CKIR) is Aalto University’s interdisciplinary innovation hub, uniquely positioned at the intersection of research, business, and society. We are a project-based unit founded in 1999 at the former Helsinki School of Economics. Since the establishment of Aalto University in 2010, our home has been at the Aalto University School of Business.
CKIR’s ambitious team is passionate about creating new knowledge, fostering innovation, and making a positive impact on society by bridging theory and practice. We come from diverse backgrounds to collaborate on real-world challenges, such as digital transformation, human empowerment, innovation ecosystems, and geopolitics. Over the years, we have participated in numerous different projects – you can explore our projects here.
Who we work with
What we do
Our expertise in ecosystem facilitation, work package leadership, method design, and impact evaluation is combined with access to Aalto’s extensive cross-school resources, providing a trusted facilitator role and a unique advantage in navigating national, international, and EU-level initiatives.
Our main themes
The five main themes guiding our work are: 1) Digital Transformation: AI, Data, Networks, 2) Environment, Cities, and Sustainable Development, 3) Human Empowerment, Skills, and Capabilities, 4) Innovation Ecosystems and Growth, and 5) Geopolitics of Business and Technology. Below, you can further explore these themes to discover how CKIR is at the forefront of executing collaboration and research that advances innovation and societal progress.
1. Digital Transformation: AI, Data, Networks
Digital transformation represents a profound shift in the way organizations operate and deliver value to their customers. It involves the integration of digital technology into all areas of business, fundamentally changing how organizations function and deliver value to customers. The CKIR unit’s projects under this theme focus on three pivotal areas: AI, data, and networks.
Check our projects under the theme of Digital Transformation: AI, Data, Networks!
2. Environment, Cities, and Sustainable Development
The CKIR unit is committed to exploring and advancing the interplay between technology, business, and society. One of our primary themes, Environment, Cities, and Sustainable Development, stands out as a critical focus area. We want to answer to the pressing call for sustainable practices in urban development and environmental management. CKIR’s projects under this theme generate innovative solutions and strategies that enable sustainable growth, urban living, and protect the environment for future generations.
Check our projects under the theme of Environment, Cities, and Sustainable Development!
3. Human Empowerment, Skills, and Capabilities
CKIR’s projects under this theme are designed to address the multifaceted aspects of human perspectives on innovation management and implementation. By understanding emotions and human empowerment, these projects aim to provide insights and solutions that enhance individual and organizational capabilities. The goal is to uncover strategies for creating an organizational environment that drives learning and innovation.
Check our projects under the theme of Human Empowerment, Skills, and Capabilities!
4. Innovation Ecosystems and Growth
One of our main themes is innovation ecosystems and start-ups, specifically the complex relationships between organizational ecosystems, governance structures, and societal impacts. CKIR’s projects under this theme support sustainable development, conceptualize governance mechanisms, and understand the societal implications of innovation and collaboration within ecosystems.
Check our projects under the theme of Innovation Ecosystems and Growth!
5. Geopolitics of Business and Technology
Lastly, geopolitics and security address the complex and dynamic interplay between global political forces and security challenges. CKIR’s projects under this theme aim to understand and mitigate risks in an interconnected world, focusing on the implications of geopolitical developments and security threats for businesses, governments, and societies.
Check our projects under the theme of Geopolitics of Business and Technology!