Dr. Jenni Kaipainen

Weinbergstrasse 56/58
Room WEV J 403
CH-8092 Zurich

Phone: +41 78 441 12 41
E-Mail:

Jenni is a senior researcher in the Group for Sustainability and Technology (SusTec) at the Department of Management, Technology, and Economics at ETH Zurich. She joined the group in August 2024.

Jenni’s research interests revolve around strategic development towards a sustainable circular economy and net zero through the management of business models, innovations, supply chains, and ecosystems. In exploring such topics, her methodological expertise is in qualitative case studies.

Jenni holds a double Doctor of Science with honors in Business and Technology from Tampere University (Finland) and Politecnico di Milano (Italy). Her earlier study background is from combined studies of Industrial Engineering and Management as well as Business Administration at Tampere University.

During her studies, Jenni worked in CERN (Switzerland) with innovation ecosystem analysis and project management, and she completed an exchange in Université de Bordeaux (France). Beyond ambitious research work, Jenni keeps engaging actively in various teaching and business development activities, such as contributing to advisory boards of sustainable start-ups.

Being originally from relatively flat Finland, Jenni now excitedly summits the mountains of Switzerland. In her free time, she also enjoys other outdoor activities and swimming.

Publications

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles

Kaipainen, J., & Aarikka‐Stenroos, L. (2022). How to renew business strategy to achieve sustainability and circularity? A process model of strategic development in incumbent technology companies. Business Strategy and the Environment 31(5) 1947-1963. Download https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2992
Aarikka-Stenroos, L., Chiaroni, D., Kaipainen, J., & Urbinati, A. (2022). Companies' circular business models enabled by supply chain collaborations: An empirical-based framework, synthesis, and research agenda. Industrial Marketing Management, 105, 322-339. Download https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2022.06.015
Sairanen, M., Aarikka-Stenroos, L., & Kaipainen, J. (2024). Customer-perceived value in the circular economy: A multidimensional framework. Industrial Marketing Management, 117, 321–343. Download https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2024.01.006
Kaipainen, J. Urbinati, A., Aarikka-Stenroos, L. & Chiaroni, D. (2022). How companies innovate business models and supply chains for a circular economy? A multiple-case study and framework. International Journal of Innovation Management, 2240024. Download https://doi.org/10.1142/S1363919622400242 (self-archived version openly available Download https://trepo.tuni.fi/handle/10024/143633)

Book Chapters

Kaipainen, J., Uusikartano, J., Aarikka-Stenroos., L., Alakerttula, J., Harala, L., & Pohls, E.-L. (2023) How to engage stakeholders towards a shared goal in circular economy ecosystems: The process. In Kujala, J., Blomgren, A., & Heikkinen, A. (Eds) Stakeholder Engagement in a Sustainable Circular Economy: Theoretical, Methodological, and Practical Perspectives. Palgrave Macmillan publishing. Download https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31937-2_7
Kaipainen, J. & Aarikka-Stenroos, L. (2021). From Vision to Commercialization of a Circular Economy Innovation – A Longitudinal Study of Overcoming Challenges throughout the Full Innovation Process. In Jakobsen, S., Lauvås, T., Quatraro, F., Rasmussen, E., & Steinmo M. (Eds) Research Handbook on Innovation for a Circular Economy. Edward Elgar Publishing. Download https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800373099.00013

Conference Papers with Recognitions

Kaipainen, J., Aarikka-Stenroos, L., & Ranta, V. (2020). Strategic renewal process towards environmental sustainability – a longitudinal case. The ISPIM Innovation Conference – Innovating Our Common Future, Virtual, on 20-23 June 2021. Event Proceedings: LUT Scientific and Expertise Publications: ISBN 978-952-335-467-8. Awarded with Best Conference Paper Award.
Trigueiros, F., Kaipainen, J., Ferreira da Silva, F., Geising, N. & Tosun, E. (2023). Student perspectives on sustainability in Engineering Education: multiple case study of European bachelor's programs in Industrial Engineering and Management. European society for engineering education, Dublin, Ireland, September 2023. Awarded with Best Student Paper Award.
Kaipainen, J., Aarikka-Stenroos, L. & Ritala, P. (2023). Finding That Fit: Adaptation Strategies to Circular Economy Transition. ISPIM Innovation conference, 6-8 June 2023, Ljubljana. Invited to International Journal of Innovation Management.
Kaipainen, J. Urbinati, A., Aarikka-Stenroos, L. & Chiaroni, D. (2022). Innovating for circularity: Bridging business model and supply chain design. ISPIM Innovation conference, 5-8 June, Copenhagen. Invited to International Journal of Innovation Management.

Theses available online

Kaipainen, J. (2023) Strategic Development of Circular Economy Business in Established Companies: A process approach to business strategy, business model innovation, and collaboration. (Doctoral double degree thesis, Tampere university, Finland & Politechnico di Milano, Italy). Awarded with honours. Available at: Download https://www.politesi.polimi.it/handle/10589/216012
Kaipainen, J. (2020). Strategic Renewal Process Towards Sustainability – An Ecosystem Approach (Master’s thesis, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland). Awarded by three Finnish associations. Available at: Download https://trepo.tuni.fi/handle/10024/120395

Selected publications for general audience (White papers, magazine articles, blog posts, podcasts in English and Finnish)

Ritschkoff, A-C. (Ed.), Simola, K. (Ed.), Aarikka-Stenroos, L., Blomberg, A., Heikkinen, A., Jokinen, A., Kaipainen, J., Kokko, M., Kujala, J., Leinonen, H., Marjamaa, M., Pohls, E., Tapaninaho, R., Sihvo-Matikainen, L., Henttonen, K., Lehtimäki, H., Piispanen, V-V., Teerikangas, S., Valkjärvi, M., ... Upadyaya, K. (2022). Kestävä ja uudistuva yhteiskunta: White Paper. Keys to Sustainable Growth (GROWTH) programme. Download https://doi.org/10.32040/2022.Growth.Whitepaper
Kaipainen J. & Ritala, P. (2021 January 21). Circular-oriented innovation for solving grand environmental challenges: A multiple case study. ISPIM Society of innovation professionals. Download https://open.spotify.com/episode/0FcxK2ahw3T7w7slS8hImM?si=c6b2a1b6f8ae488e
Kaipainen, J. (2022 April 7). Becoming a doctor: Expertise, career prospects and networks as benefits of doctoral studies.Student Ambassador Blog of Tampere University. Download https://blogs.tuni.fi/studentambassadors/studies/becoming-a-doctor-expertise-career-prospects-and-networks-as-benefits-of-doctoral-studies/
Kaipainen, J. (2021, November 4). How can you benefit from thinking circular? Magazine of European Students of Industrial Engineering and Management. Download https://issuu.com/estiem/docs/61st_issue_estiem_magazine (sivut 56-57)