The Operations and Supply Chain Group (OSCG) of the Faculty of Management and Business held a successful research retreat on November 7th and 8th, 2024. The event fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing among the group members through a variety of engaging sessions and activities.
Day 1 commenced with opening remarks and introductions, allowing each participant to briefly share their research interests and backgrounds. Session 1 focused on research presentations, with five insightful presentations delivered by Alireza Safarpour on Sustainable Supply Chains, Elviira Saarelma on AI-driven performance improvement, Fatemeh Abedi on integrating environmental assessments within circular business models, Jussi Valta on home energy management ecosystems, and Matin Taheriruh on developing competences in stakeholder collaboration. Each presentation sparked lively discussions among the attendees. After a shared lunch, the afternoon shifted to a “writing camp,” where participants explored potential research collaborations based on shared interests and methodologies. The day concluded with a fun and informal social activity: bowling.
Day 2 began with a session dedicated to sharing experiences and insights. Dr. Aki Jääskeläinen led a valuable discussion on applying for research funds, offering advice on best practices and potential pitfalls. Dr. Mohammad Moshtari and Dr. Ulla Saari then shared their expertise on various aspects of academic research, including paper submissions, the review process, publishing in top journals, securing funding, and generating new research ideas. Session 4 built upon the previous day’s discussions, with participants further developing collaborative research ideas and exploring potential implementation strategies. The retreat concluded with a final lunch and closing remarks.
The Research Retreat proved to be a valuable platform for the Operations and Supply Chain Group to connect, share knowledge, and cultivate collaborative research endeavors. The diverse range of presentations, insightful discussions, and shared experiences contributed to a stimulating and productive event. The group looks forward to building upon the momentum generated by this retreat in future research activities.