New project at JSBE investigates sustainable career paths in the Finnish Defence Forces
A two-year research project (2025–2027), Sustainable career paths in the Defence Forces: attractiveness and adaptability, examines how the attractiveness of the organization and the sustainability of careers can be reformed and strengthened in this changed security situation.
“The aim of the research is to produce research data on especially young people's views on the attractiveness of the profession and the adaptability of careers in a military context,” says the principal investigator, Associate Professor of Management and Leadership, Docent Suvi Heikkinen from Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics.
Adapting to and preparing for changes
Joining NATO will increase the demands on personnel, but it will also create new flexibility and career opportunities. The Finnish Defence Forces will be required to adapt to changes and, in particular, to prepare for them in advance.
"The attractiveness of an organization as a workplace is strongly based on its ability to offer interesting, diverse, and meaningful work tasks and continuously developing career opportunities that meet the expectations of current personnel and future employees," explains Heikkinen.
Skilled workforce for tomorrow’s challenges
The Defence Forces must be a unique workplace that enables military tasks, but in the future, it will also employ a growing number of specialists and leaders. For example, digitalization, cyber and hybrid threats, and increased NATO cooperation increase the need for effective recruitment processes and new types of experts in the Defence Forces' workforce.
“The results of the project will provide practical recommendations for the Finnish Defence Forces for strengthening the organization's attractiveness and resilience, ensuring the availability of skilled personnel in the future. At the same time, the research project will enable the employment of two postdoctoral researchers,” says Heikkinen.
The research project is funded by the Defence Forces Support Foundation, and the total budget is over 260 000 €. The project partners are Hanken and the National Defence University.
