Program Overview

Doctoral Studies in International Business

The International Business (IB) unit at the Aalto University School of Business is one of the leading IB units in Europe. As one of the twelve majors of the Doctoral Program in Business, Economics and Finance, international business offers four-year training that fosters passion for multidisciplinarity, multiculturalism, and creativity.

Research Areas

Our IB faculty is well known for their phenomenon-based, cutting-edge contributions to research that explores the effects of global challenges such as the energy transition, sustainability, and geopolitical tensions on business and society. Meeting these challenges requires increasing public-private sector cooperation at all levels of governance. Our recent research has explored themes such as sustainable cities, the locational competition for strategic activities, including headquarters and green investments, and how the strategic decisions unfold within the international arena amidst the pressures of the changing global landscape. Our ongoing projects include:

• Location of green foreign direct investment (FDI): Cities play an important role in the energy transition. Whereas the EU and the US try to attract green FDI with incentive packages such as the European Green Deal and the Inflation Reduction Act, the competition culminates in cities. Green investments are largely attracted to locations other than global cities, which have traditionally attracted most of the investment, providing prosperity to these peripheral locations. However, green investments such as windmill parks may also face local resistance because the local citizens are the ones who pay the social or environmental costs on behalf of the global carbon emission reductions. In this project, we examine these challenges and opportunities related to the FDI that facilitate the green transition.
• Sustainable buildings of the future: Today's cities and international businesses are undergoing a paradigm shift driven by the global megatrends of sustainability and digitalization. Sustainable office and public buildings aim to minimize natural resource use, maximize socio-cultural well-being, and merge physical spaces with virtual spaces centered around user needs. Also, the 'third space' – communal, inclusive space between home (first space) and work (second space) – is becoming increasingly important in attracting people and international firms to specific cities. In this project, we focus on sustainable headquarters and museum buildings of the future.

Additionally, we are a home to the Qual+ Aalto Center for Qualitative Management Research. This is a hub of excellence in qualitative management and organization research that serves as a resource and a training center for researchers.

Fully Funded Scholarships

Funding for doctoral studies is guaranteed for two years after which it is available either from the School or through external foundations. There are a number of foundations that provide funding for doctoral studies and conference trips.

Finland as a Place to Study

Finland is a great place to live with or without family – it is a politically stable and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was just listed again as the happiest country in the world. Finland offers many excellent state-subsidized services including affordable daycare and education free of charge. Finnish schools and universities are consistently ranked among the best in the world. Finland is also a research-friendly country, where companies are willing to participate in academic research and, in general, data is easily accessible.

Our Faculty Members Supervising Doctoral Students

• Rebecca Piekkari: Marcus Wallenberg Professor, Head of the International Business Unit. Rebecca Piekkari's research is in the field of multinational management and she approaches cross-border phenomena from a social sustainability and interactional perspective.
• Tiina Ritvala: Associate Professor, Assistant Dean of Teaching and Education. Tiina Ritvala's research is in the field of sustainability in international business, focusing on cross-sector partnerships between multinational corporations, non-profits, and governments.
• Sarianna Lundan: Professor of International Business, Academic Director of the CEMS program. Sarianna Lundan's research is in the field of international business with a particular focus on the co-evolution of firms and institutions.
• Iiris Saittakari: Assistant Professor, Head of Doctoral Studies in IB. Iiris Saittakari's research focuses on multinational corporations' (MNCs') locational strategies.
• Aleksi Niittymies: Assistant Professor. Aleksi Niittymies' research lies at the intersection of managerial decision-making and international business.
• Hannu Seristö: Associate Vice President of Aalto University, External Relations. Hannu Seristö's research has been, for instance, in the field of international partnerships.
• Kristiina Mäkelä: Provost of Aalto University. Not accepting new doctoral students.

Degree Structure and Coursework

The degree requirements of the International Business PhD Program consist of coursework of 60 ECTS which include General research studies (18 ECTS) and Research field studies (42 ECTS).

The core of the Research field studies is taking part in the NORD-IB Doctoral Program which is run collectively by leading schools in the Nordic region. Taking part in NORD-IB facilitates both learning important IB knowledge and networking with scholars from around the Nordic region and beyond.

Application

The application period for the studies starting on Fall 2025 is now closed. We value excellent academic track record in terms of prior studies and MSc thesis. Detailed information about the application process for our doctoral program may be found in the official university resources.

Insights from Current Doctoral Researchers

• Hilla Back: I am a late-stage doctoral researcher in the International Business-unit of Aalto University School of Business. My PhD focuses on language diversity and inclusion of foreign employees and university students.
• Linyu Liu: My current research is to explore how multinationals could accommodate both Talent Management and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion policies that are theoretically built on competing employment ideologies.
• Xiaoshi Xu: I am a PhD Candidate of International Business at the School of Business. My research is focused on what and how managerial practices facilitate innovation.
• Riku Reunamäki: I have found that studying at Aalto is an excellent preparation for a future academic career. Our IB unit is a tight-knit group with very low hierarchy and a collegial atmosphere. My own research concerns how management ideas travel globally and are translated and legitimized as practices locally, with a particular focus on employees who translate the ideas in their daily work.