Esa Mangeloja

1. Research

I conduct research in applied macroeconomics, with a particular focus on defence economics, sports economics and the economics of religion. I examine the resilience of defence industries, the functioning of sports markets and economic thought in classical theological sources. I am a Senior University Lecturer and Adjunct Professor of Economics at JSBE and a Visiting Professor at Aarhus University, Denmark.

2. Areas of expertise

· Sports economics · Economics of religion · Defence economics

3. Current research

Finland’s War Economy and Defence Equipment Industry in a Changing Security Policy Environment, 1998–2035 is an ongoing research programme under development. It examines Finland’s defence-industrial strategy, production capacity, security of supply and resilience in a changing security environment. 

In sports economics, I study stadium attendance, competitive balance, and the economic and regional effects of major sporting events. In the economics of religion, I analyse economic ideas in classical theological sources, particularly the writings of Martin Luther and the Hebrew Bible. 

4. Selected publications

I have published more than 40 peer-reviewed studies. My recent publications include “Readiness through international cooperation: Finnish defence industrial strategy in a changing operational environment from the mid-1990s to the early 2020s” in Defence and Peace Economics and “Does competitive balance explain stadium attendance? Evidence from Finnish men’s football” in Soccer & Society.

My principal publication in the economics of religion is “Martin Luther’s Business Ethics and the Economic Utopia”, published in the Journal of Economics, Theology and Religion in 2023. The article examines Martin Luther’s economic thought on moral markets, competition, monopolies, interest, poverty and the role of public authority.

I have also written about current economic and societal issues as a columnist for Kauppalehti from 2012 to 2024.