Operations Management and Quality

Lauri Saarinen is an expert in data analytics-based operations management, process improvement and planning of operations. He focuses in research and teaching on creating value with analytics using companies’ operational data and has specialized on questions related to value of local production, international supply chains and process improvement. Saarinen engages actively with industry with a goal to understand the edge of developing operations management and process improvement in practice.

He has carried out research work with companies from Finland, Switzerland and United States ranging from heavy industries to consumer electronics and healthcare. Saarinen develops new applied analytics teaching at Aalto and his teaching portfolio includes advanced operations management, operations strategy and statistical and quantitative methods for managers. Prior to arriving to Aalto, Saarinen gained experience at University of Lausanne taking part in M.Sc. and EMBA teaching. The students of Industrial Engineering at Aalto University chose Lauri as the Teacher of the Year in 2021 and Lauri was awarded the Teaching excellence award for the year of 2021 by the faculty of the Industrial Engineering Department.

Before joining the academia, Lauri worked in supply chain management, inventory and production planning optimization. He continues to work with industry engagements focusing on process analysis and improvement, analytics in operations and planning solutions.

Professor Malmi specializes in management systems, strategy implementation, and cost and profitability accounting. He teaches frequently in a variety of Executive Programs and has served as an advisor to a large number of companies from various different industries: IT, electronics, energy, finance, food, health care, media, metal and engineering, paper and pulp, pharmaceuticals, rental services, retail, telecom and transportation/logistics and the public sector.

Teemu Malmi holds a Ph.D. in Accounting and Finance from The Helsinki School of Economics, which was merged into Aalto University in 2010.

Heikkilä specialises in supply chain and production process research, focusing on supply chain risk management and efficiency improvement.

Kauppi has previously worked at Nottingham University Business School and Manchester Business School in the UK where she has also taught in Global MBA-programmes in e.g. Dubai, Shanghai, Hongkong and Miami. Prof Kauppi teaches in the areas of sustainable supply chain management, procurement and sourcing as well as supply chain risk management

Prof. Kauppi’s research interests include organizational purchasing behaviour, supply chain failure causes and consequences, social sustainability certifications, climate change risk mitigation in supply chains as well as public procurement. Prof Kauppi’s has received several recognitions from her research work and also the World Culture Council Special Recognition Award for a young scientist who early in their career has made an international impact through their research.

His professional interest is in helping organisations to improve their own performance. Related topics include Lean thinking, production management and systems, service production and process management, process development, and leadership.

Blomqvist has been a consultant and partner in QDC Business Engineering Oy since 2005. Prior to QDC, he held development positions in industry.

Blomqvist holds a Licentiate of Technology and a Master of Science in Engineering and is a CSCP, Certified Supply Chain Professional, APICS.

His research interests are currently concentrated on digitalization of procurement, procurement capabilities, as well as on supply market intelligence. In the past, Dr. Lorentz has been affiliated with the University of Cambridge (Senior Research Associate) and Manchester Business School (visiting researcher) in the UK. He also has practical experience from food export operations as well as World Bank led trade and transport facilitation projects in the CIS countries. Dr. Lorentz has published in several leading international journals, such as Journal of Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, International Journal of Production Economics, Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management and Industrial Marketing Management.

Lorentz received his doctoral degree in international business in 2009 from University of Turku.

Basu's interests and specialization lie within Supply Chain Operations Management, Digital Operations, Supply Chain Risk Management, Business Analytics, and Operational Value Creation in Private Equity.

Max Finne is an operations, projects, and supply chain management expert. He has specialized in servitization, Industry 4.0, service network management, professional service operations, inter-organizational collaboration, learning analytics, and flipped learning pedagogies. Finne has taught in several Warwick Business School’s prestigious Executive, Full-time, and Distance Learning MBA Programs before joining Aalto University. Even the most demanding student cohorts highly appreciate Finne’s teaching and have awarded him the highest student feedback of the whole teaching team on many occasions.

He has carried out close research collaboration with companies such as ABB, Costain, Finnair, Fujitsu, KONE, NCC, and Skanska. He delivers innovative and engaging teaching with a high impact on learning, showcased through his winning the distinguished Nigel Slack Teaching Innovation Award in 2015, 2016, and 2018.

Max Finne has been awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic and Professional Practice with distinction (1st-class honors) from the University of Warwick. It gave him a full pedagogical qualification to teach in the UK Higher Education and recognition as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

He is also the Academic Director of the Aalto Venturea Program, and has previously served as Program Director of the Production Economics Program, Director of Teaching in the Department of Production Economics, and Professor of Strategic Management.

Mikko Jääskeläinen's research specialises in product management, entrepreneurial cultures, and start-up ecosystems.

He is a Doctor of Technology, Master of Engineering, and Master of Business Administration.