Management, Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Education
EBS Knowledge Team
The Management, Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Education (MEIE) knowledge team brings together research, teaching, doctoral students, and real-world engagement to address contemporary challenges in organisations and society.
Our work focuses on how individuals, organisations, and ecosystems create, apply, and scale knowledge in the domains of management, leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation. We combine academic rigour with practical relevance to develop entrepreneurial competences, responsible leadership, and evidence-based decision-making in a rapidly evolving technological and societal context.
Focus areas
Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Learning
We study entrepreneurship as both a practice and a learning process. Our work focuses on how entrepreneurial competences are developed through education, venture creation, and participation in entrepreneurial ecosystems, with increasing attention to sustainable and impact-driven entrepreneurship.
Strategy, Organisations, and Management Practices
We examine how organisations formulate and implement strategies in complex and dynamic environments. Key topics include corporate strategy, strategy-as-practice, organisational development and growth, organisational ambidexterity, knowledge management, and operational effectiveness.
Innovation and Business Transformation
We explore how organisations design, test, and scale innovations. This includes business model innovation, digital transformation, and the role of emerging technologies in reshaping industries and organisations.
Leadership, Sustainability, and Societal Change
We investigate leadership and governance in the context of societal and technological change. Our work addresses sustainability transitions, responsible management, public sector innovation, and the broader societal impact of organisations.
Knowledge team members & doctoral students
Renato Sydler
Head of the Doctoral Programme, Associate Professor of Practice
Anto Liivat
Lecturer in Management, Head of Bachelor's and Specialist Master’s Programmes
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Maarja Murumägi
Vice-Rector for Studies, Member of the Management Board
Marko Rillo
Senior Lecturer in Strategy & Innovation, Head of MBA Programme
Jim Seltenrijch
Lecturer in Management, Head of Impactful Entrepreneurship BA Programme
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News
Read more about knowledge team activities.
Time 2 Scale: celebrating the Estonian tech ventures who took the leap — and inviting the next ones to follow
When EBS joined forces with Hanken School of Economics and Riga Technical University to launch Time 2 Scale, we made a promise to ambitious tech founders across the Central Baltic region: give us nine months, and we will give you the structure, mentorship and cross-border connections to move from a
EMERGE 2035 – Young Leaders Shaping the Future of Ida-Virumaa; a Youth Leadership Development Initiative
Estonian Business School, in partnership with VitaTiim is launching a programme to encourage and support young people in Ida-Virumaa (ages 15–26) to take an active role in the region’s just transition toward a climate-neutral economy. The project’s goal is to equip Ida-Virumaa young people with kn
Teaching activities
The MEIE knowledge team delivers research-informed teaching across bachelor’s, master’s, MBA, and doctoral levels, as well as executive education.
Teaching quality and student learning are central to our approach. We emphasise learning with our students and continuously ensure that our teaching content and methods meet the highest academic standards. This is achieved through active learning, real-world application, and close collaboration with industry.
Our teaching is designed to develop critical thinking, analytical capabilities, and the ability to apply knowledge in complex, real-world contexts.
Key teaching areas include:
- Entrepreneurship and venture creation
- Strategic management and innovation
- Leadership and organisational behaviour
- Research design and methodology in business and entrepreneurship
- Digital transformation and business technologies
We develop competencies in:
- Critical and reflective thinking
- Evidence-based decision-making
- Entrepreneurial and innovative problem-solving
- Collaboration and leadership
- Digital and AI literacy
Our graduates are able to:
- Think critically and act responsibly
- Make evidence-based decisions
- Lead and collaborate in complex environments
- Create and implement innovative solutions
Courses and Microdegrees
Recent programmes include:
- Impactful Entrepreneurship (BA)
- International Management (MA)
- Strategy & Innovation (MBA)
- Leadership Concepts (MBA microdegree)
- Research Design and Qualitative & Quantitative Methods
- Operations and Project Management (MBA)
Selected courses:
- Product and Service Lifecycle Management
- Digital Innovation in Entrepreneurship and Business Management
- Organisation, Teams, and People in a Changing Environment
- Digital Innovation in Business
- Sustainable Operations Management
- Business Simulation DYNAMA
- Professional Negotiations
- Strategic Management and Leadership
- The Empowered Leader
Research
MEIE’s research combines conceptual, empirical, and applied work across entrepreneurship, strategy, innovation, and societal change.
Key research streams include:
- Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Learning
- Focus on competence development and learning processes in entrepreneurial contexts.
- Focus on competence development and learning processes in entrepreneurial contexts.
- Strategy, Organisations, and Management Practices
- Explores how organisations operate, adapt, and sustain performance in dynamic environments.
- Explores how organisations operate, adapt, and sustain performance in dynamic environments.
- Innovation and Business Transformation
- Examines innovation, digital transformation, and scaling in technology-driven environments.
- Examines innovation, digital transformation, and scaling in technology-driven environments.
- Leadership, Sustainability, and Societal Change
- Addresses governance, digitalisation, and the societal impact of organisations.
Publications
Recent publications within the Management, Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Education Knowledge team.
Articles
- Wojtczuk‐Turek, Agnieszka; Turek, Dariusz; Jurek, Paweł; Edgar, Fiona; Okay-Somerville, Belgin; Podgorodnichenko, Nataliya; Fu, Na; Järlström, Maria; Popov, Boris; Hutchings, Paul; Sullivan, Katie; Hafstad, Marius Duhović; Shkoda, Tetiana; Savych, Oleksandr; Raeder, Sabine; Klein, Howard J.; Bosak, Janine; Lupina-Wegener, Anna; Dvorakova, Zuzana; Gutiérrez-Crocco, Francisca ... Karamustafa-Köse, Güldem (2026). Putting Sustainable Human Resource Management and Workplace Eudaimonic Well-being into Cross-Cultural Context. European Management Journal. DOI: 10.1016/j.emj.2026.03.008.
- Masso, Piret; Jaakson, Krista; Pulk, Kätlin; McBee, David J. (2025). Implications of employee age on individual work performance and considerations to leave the organisation. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 74 (11), 143−160. DOI: 10.1108/IJPPM-02-2025-0145.
- Wojtczuk‐Turek, Agnieszka; Turek, Dariusz; Edgar, Fiona; Klein, Howard J.; Bosak, Janine; Okay‐Somerville, Belgin; Fu, Na; Raeder, Sabine; Jurek, Paweł; Lupina‐Wegener, Anna; Dvorakova, Zuzana; Gutiérrez‐Crocco, Francisca; Kekkonen, Aleksandra; Leiva, Pedro I.; Mynaříková, Lenka; Sánchez‐Apellániz, Mercedes; Shafique, Imran; Al‐Romeedy, Bassam Samir; Wee, Serena; Dunlop, Patrick ... Karamustafa‐Köse, Güldem (2024). Sustainable human resource management and job satisfaction—Unlocking the power of organizational identification: A cross‐cultural perspective from 54 countries. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 31 (5), 4910−4932. DOI: 10.1002/csr.2815.
- Masso, P., Jaakson, K., Põder, K. (2024). Is it time to rethink benefit packages? Perks associated with the intention to leave in different age groups during COVID-19. Personnel Review, 53 (6), 1479−1505. DOI: 10.1108/PR-12-2022-0892.
- Pesor, Renee; Täks, Marge; Kekkonen, Aleksandra (2024). Factors shaping Estonian entrepreneurs' green transition awareness. Business Strategy and The Environment. DOI: 10.1002/bse.3927.
- Kekkonen, Aleksandra; Pesor, Renee; Täks, Marge (2023). Stepping towards the Green Transition: Challenges and Opportunities of Estonian Companies. Sustainability, 15 (5), 4172. DOI: 10.3390/su15054172.
- Sassi, Marge; Pihlak, Ulle; Birnkraut, Gesa (2022). Organizational performance evaluation and performance paradox in CCI organizations. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 71 (5), 2009−2030. DOI: 10.1108/IJPPM-08-2019-0399.
- Wannamakok, W.; Chang; Y. Y.; & Täks (2020). The relationship between institutional environments and entrepreneurial intention in Estonia: mediating roles of desirability and feasibility. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 8 (2), 111−126. DOI: 10.15678/EBER.2020.080206.
- Sassi, Marge; Jyrama, Annukka; Pihlak, Ulle (2019). Using the Strategy Tripod to Understand Strategic Management in the? Evaluation-Friendly? Organizations of Cultural and Creative Industries. The Journal of Arts Management Law and Society, 49 (5), 324−346. DOI: 10.1080/10632921.2019.1646177.
- Esser, Anke; Kahrens, Marion; Mouzughi, Yusra; Eomois, Ester (2018). A female leadership competency framework from the perspective of male leaders. Gender in Management An International Journal, 33 (2), 138−166. DOI: 10.1108/GM-06-2017-0077.
- Ortenblad, Anders R.; Koris, Riina; Pihlak, Ulle (2017). Does it matter who teaches you? A study on the relevance of matching students' and teachers' personalities. The International Journal of Management Education, 15 (3), 520−527. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijme.2017.10.001.
- Täks, M.; Tynjälä, P.; Kukemelk, H. (2016). Engineering Students’ Conceptions of Entrepreneurial Learning as Part of Their Education. European Journal of Engineering Education, 41 (1), 53−69. DOI: 10.1080/03043797.2015.1012708.
- Erden, Zeynep; Klang, David; Sydler, Renato; von Krogh, Georg (2015). "How can We Signal the Value of Our Knowledge?" Knowledge-based Reputation and its Impact on Firm Performance in Science-based Industries. Long Range Planning, 48 (4), 252−264. DOI: 10.1016/j.lrp.2014.07.003.
- Erden, Zeynep; Klang, David; Sydler, Renato; von Krogh, Georg (2014). Knowledge-flows and firm performance. Journal of Business Research, 67 (1), 2777−2785. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2012.09.001.
- Sydler, Renato; Haefliger, Stefan; Pruksa, Robert (2014). Measuring intellectual capital with financial figures: Can we predict firm profitability? European Management Journal, 32 (2), 244−259. DOI: 10.1016/j.emj.2013.01.008.
- Täks, Marge; Tynjälä, Päivi; Toding, Martin; Kukemelk, Hasso; Venesaar, Urve (2014). Engineering Students' Experiences in Studying Entrepreneurship. Journal of Engineering Education, 103 (4), 573−598. DOI: 10.1002/jee.20056.
Scholarly books
- Pulk, K. (forthcoming, 2025). Historicity in Organization Studies: Describing Events and Actuality at the Borders of Our Present. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Täks, M. – research on entrepreneurship education and competence development (ongoing research projects).
- Rillo, M. – research on strategy-as-practice and organisational ambidexterity.
- Malik, H. W. – research on circular innovation ecosystems and sustainability transitions (EIT and Interreg projects).
- Pulk, Kätlin (2025). Chapter 2. Eventalizing the Kaali Meteorite: Socio-Organizational Reality as Dynamic Configuration of Event(s). In: de Vaujany, François-Xavier; Pulk, Kätlin; Labardin, Pierre (Ed.). Historicity in organization studies: describing events and actuality at the borders of our present. (19−57). Palgrave Macmillan/Springer Nature. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-88938-7_2.
- Pulk, Kätlin; de Vaujany, François-Xavier; Labardin, Pierre (2025). General Conclusion. Between Ordinary and Extraordinary Events: Reconceptualizing Historical Events and Historicity in OS. In: de Vaujany, François-Xavier; Pulk, Kätlin; Labardin, Pierre (Ed.). Historicity in organization studies: describing events and actuality at the borders of our present. (349−361). Palgrave Macmillan/Springer Nature. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-88938-7_13.
- de Vaujany, François-Xavier; Pulk, Kätlin; Labardin, Pierre (2025). Introduction: Historicity in Organization Studies: Describing events and actuality at the borders of our present. In: de Vaujany, François-Xavier; Pulk, Kätlin; Labardin, Pierre (Ed.). Historicity in organization studies: describing events and actuality at the borders of our present. (1−15). Palgrave Macmillan/Springer Nature. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-88938-7_1.
- Koris, Riina; Pulk, Kätlin (2025). Introduction: Setting the Scene. In: Pulk, Kätlin; Koris, Riina (Ed.). Generative AI in Higher Education: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. (1−14). Edward Elgar Publishing. DOI: 10.4337/9781035326020.00009.
- Beliatskaya, Ilona (2023). Urban commons and smart societies. In: Smart Cities in Europe and Asia. (30−42). Routledge. DOI: 10.4324/9781003365174-3.
- Kekkonen, Aleksandra; Beliatskaya, Ilona (2023). Tackling the sustainability crisis through digital collective intelligence: the principles of doughnut economics in smart cities. Proceedings of the 24th Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research. ACM, 261−269. DOI: 10.1145/3598469.3598498.
- Pulk, Kätlin (2023). Complex and dynamic complementarities of continuity and change revealed in outsourcing and backsourcing. In: Tor Hernes and Miriam Feuls (Ed.). A Research Agenda for Organisational Continuity and Change. (45−64). Edward Elgar Publishing. (Elgar Research Agendas). DOI: 10.4337/9781802200164.00009.
- Pulk, Kätlin (2022). Time and Temporality in Organisations: Theory and Development. Palgrave Macmillan. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-90696-2.
- Beliatskaya, Ilona (2022). Conceptualizing community involvement in smart urban development: the case of Tallinn. 15th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance. ACM, 510−515. DOI: 10.1145/3560107.3560184.
- Hernes, Tor; Hussenot, Anthony; Pulk, Kätlin (2021). Time and Temporality of Change Processes. Applying an Event-based View to Integrate Episodic and Continuous Change. In: Marshall Scott Poole Andrew H. Van de Ven (Ed.). Oxford Handbook of Organizational Change and Innovation, 2nd Edition. (731−750). USA: Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198845973.013.27.
- Sassi, Marge; Urb, Kristiina; Pihlak, Ülle (2020). The Evaluation of Organisational Performance: Estonian Cultural and Creative Industries Organisations. In: Martin Piber (Ed.). Management, Participation and Entrepreneurship in the Cultural and Creative Sector. (189−218). Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-46796-8_10.
- David, McBee; Leahey, Erin (2016). New Directions, New Challenges Trials and Tribulations of Interdisciplinary Research. In: Frickel, Scott; Albert, Mathieu; Prainsack, Barbara (Ed.). Investigating Interdisciplinary Collaboration Theory and Practice across Disciplines. (27−46). New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press.
- Blair, Sean; Rillo, Marko (2016). Serious Work: How to Facilitate Lego Serious Play Meetings and Workshops. London, UK: Promeet.