Professor Paavo Ritala
Paavo Ritala is a Professor of Strategy and Innovation at the Business School of LUT University, Finland. His research focuses on ecosystems and platforms, the role of data, algorithms, and digital technologies in organizations, and the circular and regenerative economy. His work has appeared in leading journals including Journal of Management, Journal of Management Studies, Research Policy, and Academy of Management Perspectives. He received the Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher 2025 award in the cross-field category.
Beyond academic research, he works closely with industry through collaborative research projects, executive and professional education, and as a speaker and advisor. His recent work examines how data, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms are reshaping industries and professional work. Prof. Ritala is Co-Editor-in-Chief of R&D Management and serves on the editorial review boards of the Journal of Product Innovation Management and Organization & Environment.
Select publications
- Ramaul, L., Ritala, P., Kostis, A., & Aaltonen, P. (2025). Rethinking how we theorize AI in organization and management: A problematizing review of rationality and anthropomorphism. Journal of Management Studies.
- Wahid, R., Mero, J., & Ritala, P. (2025). Technology-enabled democratization: Impact of generative AI on content marketing agencies. Industrial Marketing Management, 131, 1-16.
- Golgeci, I., Ritala, P., Arslan, A., McKenna, B., & Ali, I. (2025). Confronting and alleviating AI resistance in the workplace: An integrative review and a process framework. Human Resource Management Review, 35(2), 101075.
- Springer, V., Randhawa, K., Jovanovic, M., Ritala, P., & Piller, F. T. (2025). Platform Design and Governance in Industrial Markets: Charting the Meta-Organizational Logic. Research Policy, 54(6), 10-1016.
- Karhu, K., Heiskala, M., Ritala, P., & Thomas, L. D. (2024). Positive, negative, and amplified network externalities in platform markets. Academy of Management Perspectives, 38(3), 349-367.
- Ramaul, L., Ritala, P., & Ruokonen, M. (2024). Creational and conversational AI affordances: How the new breed of chatbots is revolutionizing knowledge industries. Business Horizons, 67(5), 615-627.
- Ritala, P., De Kort, C., & Gailly, B. (2023). Orchestrating knowledge networks: Alter-oriented brokering. Journal of Management, 49(3), 1140-1178.
- Thomas, L. D., & Ritala, P. (2022). Ecosystem legitimacy emergence: A collective action view. Journal of Management, 48(3), 515-541.
Select awards
- 2025 – Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (category: cross-field)
- 2018 – LUT Foundation Science Award
- 2018 – Abbie Griffin High Impact Award, Journal of Product Innovation Management
- 2018 – Economics Teacher of the Year Award, Honorary mention, The Finnish Business School Graduates (Ekonomit)
Further links
Institutional website at LUT University for Prof. Ritala: https://www.lut.fi/en/profiles/paavo-ritala
