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Aalto University ranked #5 in Europe in the core area of empirically focused research and #11 overall.

Globally, in empirical research in the field in March. More details of the rankings, see .

‘We are proud of the stream of research that has resulted in a series of publications, for example, in Journal of Operations Management, the number one journal in the field,’ says professor Risto Rajala, Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management.

In comparison to many large universities, Aalto stands out with long-standing and trusted relationships with industrial partners. Thanks to these, much of academic research at Aalto grounds on real-life data on empirical cases and can contribute to grand societal challenges: sustainable growth in industrial operation and the technology-driven transformation of business around the world and across industries.

‘Our particular strength is empirically focused research conducted in close collaboration with industries. Ranking results are not our objective in itself, but they do signal a trajectory that is based on both great talent and hard work in all areas of empirical research: systematic data collection, meticulous analysis, insightful synthesis and visionary crystallization,’ Rajala recounts.

Operations and service management research at Aalto benefits not only from close industrial collaboration but also from transdisciplinary scientific approach and research methods.

“Many departments and groups at Aalto contribute to this field. In addition to the faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management, professors and researchers from the departments of Mathematics and Systems Analysis and Information and Service Economy are integral to our effort,’ notes Rajala.

Education in the field aims to instill collaborative orientation and scientific curiosity into students from the get-go.

‘Our students learn by doing: through real-life cases and research assignments. Our degree programs are rooted in strategic management, entrepreneurial leadership, and digitalisation of operations and services. Top students are often invited to do their master’s thesis research in actual industry projects, and they are capable of conducting analytical research that is both well-grounded and rigorous.’

The SCM Journal List ranking of empirical research is based on output in journals that are primarily empirically focused (including Decision Sciences Journal, Journal of Business Logistics, Journal of Operations Management, and Journal of Supply Chain Management). The ranking of analytical research is based on output in journals that are primarily analytically-focused (including Management Science, Manufacturing and Service Operations Management, Operations Research, and Production and Operations Management).

Further information:
Risto Rajala, professor
Head of Department of Industrial Engineering and Management
Aalto University
risto.rajala@aalto.fi
tel. +358 40 353 8140