Susanna Horn, new Professor of Practice at JSBE, researches how the circular economy is implemented in practice
Professor of Practice Susanna Horn will focus on strengthening research in sustainable business, particularly on the circular economy, and creating researcher networks related to this research. She works at JSBE in the field of corporate environmental management but is also part of the expert team of Cefmof-funded hydrogen research project.
“This is a multifaceted role that allows me to work and network with stakeholders who deal with both the circular economy and hydrogen sectors,” says Horn. “We are studying, for example, the business operations and financial sustainability of hydrogen systems, as well as the environmental impacts of new innovations in collaboration with researchers from the Department of Chemistry. In addition to research, I also teach and supervise students.”
The circular economy offers best benefits to companies
Horn is leading and developing innovative research projects that focus on developing operating models, practices and solutions for circular economy, and she also participates in creating business ecosystems and partnerships. According to Horn, there is a lot of new work to be done in this field in Finland.
“My focus is on how the circular economy is implemented in practice so that it yields the greatest possible environmental benefits while also creating value for businesses,” says Horn. “This requires a broader view on the circular economy. In addition to recycling, it includes extending the serviceable life of products, for example, through repair and reuse, as well as reducing consumption. It is about how to use resources as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
According to Horn, the circular economy should be viewed in a more practical it, as it is often seen as a one-size-fits-all solution to nearly every challenge. In reality, the circular economy consists of many different approaches, each with very different impacts.
“The circular economy should be discussed more in more concrete terms, for example, by explaining what changes it entails for business value chains. In addition, solutions that have proven effective in companies should be adopted more widely, new solutions should be developed in collaboration with companies, and new connections should be created between different stakeholders.”
Variety of factors drive companies to change
Horn says that companies are driven to change by a variety of factors. These include the regulatory environment, shifts in consumer demand, the development of supply chains, and prices and markets. On the other hand, companies must also protect their own cost structure.
“Both large and small companies need to promote change,” says Horn. “Larger companies may be slower in dropping established practices, but they play a significant role as drivers of change because they can have a broad impact on their value chains. Small companies, on the other hand, may be more agile and quicker to adapt. Different factors drive companies forward, but the pace of progress is not the same for all of them.”
Extensive experience in corporate collaboration
As a professor of practice, Horn has a strong practical perspective and she builds bridges between research and the business world, promoting versatile cooperation between research institutes, industry, the public sector and international stakeholders. She has extensive experience in corporate collaboration.
“I expect a lot from the professorship of practice,” says Horn, “the role gives me academic freedom to research the sustainability topics I find important.”
“It is great that so much current cross-disciplinary research is related to sustainability themes. We are already cooperating extensively with the Department of Chemistry. Similarly, good cooperation opportunities may emerge within JSBE, for example, between corporate communication, corporate environmental management, and economics.”
Horn is happy that research at JYU is based on collaboration and can focus on society’s most pressing issues.
“I am also looking forward to the Cefmof cooperation and international collaboration with, for example, Japan,” says Horn, who has held a docentship in corporate environmental management since January 2025.
“I have previously worked at the University of Jyväskylä twice. I have always liked it here, so it is nice to return to a familiar environment.”
Horn completed her doctorate in corporate environmental management at the Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics in 2011. In addition to the University of Jyväskylä, she has worked in the metal industry for seven years and as a researcher at the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) for seven years. Horn started as a professor of practice on 1 March 2026. She spends 40% of her working time at JSBE, while also working 60% for the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) as a senior researcher.
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