Lassi Linnanen

Bio: Lassi Linnanen is an academic researcher from Lappeenranta University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sustainability & Greenhouse gas. The author has an hindex of 20, co-authored 55 publications receiving 1557 citations. Previous affiliations of Lassi Linnanen include Helsinki University of Technology.

Roadmapping Corporate Social Responsibility in Finnish Companies

Abstract: This paper presents a roadmap of Finnish companies adopting and managing corporate social responsibility (CSR). It discusses the companies' views on CSR and highlights the practices that Finnish companies have adopted or are currently adopting. It also presents a framework that outlines the CSR processes and management prospects. Results showed that Finnish companies are progressively managing CSR. This newly revived thinking about social responsibility is viewed as an issue traced back from Finland's history of industrial development. There is no general definition of CSR; however, various concepts are connoted into it. Driven by several factors, CSR is developing gradually as indicated by the positive responses and initiatives of the companies. CSR management and practices towards employees, suppliers, community and customers are well defined locally based generally on established socially responsible behavior which could be articulated by laws and regulations, corporate values and business ethics. However, managing CSR with a global scope, problems such as; lack of information and structured management system, different views and interpretations, supply chain complexities, overlap with environmental issues, etc. often lead some companies to manage CSR haphazardly. Views and management of CSR are also influenced by some distinct Finnish cultural attributes. An initial conceptual framework for CSR is drawn reflecting the current practices and prospects for management strategies. Such framework can be used in organizing and streamlining CSR elements for effective management approaches and measuring of performance. It could be expected that in due time, the efforts of the companies will become more evident, organized and systematically managed.

An Insider's Experiences with Environmental Entrepreneurship

Abstract: Most entrepreneurial principles apply to environmental ventures as well.Ecopreneurship (i.e., environmental entrepreneurship) is outlined from a practical and an academic perspective, based on previous research.Environmental businesses are classified in four categories:nature-oriented enterprises, producers of environmental technology, providers of environmental management services, and producers of environmentally friendly products. Each classification is discussed in terms of the drivers (geographical influences, reason for market emergence, degree of enforcement) that influence their existence.Three major barriers to ecopreneurship--the challenge of market creation, financing barriers, and ethics-based decision making--are described, and implications are discussed.A typology of ecopreneurs is created based on a desire to change the world and a desire to make money.Concluding remarks provide an overview of these drivers and barriers and explain how they contribute to the market-creation difficulties experienced by environmental businesses as compared to non-environmental businesses. (AKP)

Sustainability guardrails for energy scenarios of the global energy transition

Abstract: Sustainability guardrails in global energy scenarios were reviewed and further developed based on a literature review of global energy system transition scenarios. Environmental planetary boundaries mark out the safe operation space for human activities. The planetary boundary framework has yet to be fully incorporated into global energy scenario modeling, where the emphasis has been almost solely on CO2 emission mitigation. Stress on biochemical flows, land use change, biodiversity, ocean and climate systems are often neglected. Concurrently, social and economic aspects, such as limiting air pollution, providing universal access to modern energy services and improving energy efficiency by electrification of energy services are emerging as new paradigms in energy scenario modeling frameworks. However, ethical choices, such as current and future generations’ access to preserved ecosystems, aversion of energy resource risks, preventing resource use conflicts, and negative impacts on human lives from energy extraction and use are not usually discussed or justified in energy scenario modeling. All investigated global energy transition scenarios failed to adequately describing the critical roles of flexibility in future energy systems based on high shares of renewable energy, such as storage, grids, demand response, supply side management and sector coupling. Nor did they adequately incorporate the concept of resilience in socio-ecological systems.

Effects of e-commerce on greenhouse gas emissions: A case study of grocery home delivery in Finland

Abstract: Summary In this article, we present a literature review of the general and environmental effects of e-commerce in various parts of the demand-supply chain. These are further translated into effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the food production and consumption system. The literature study revealed many opportunities for e-commerce to reduce GHG emissions in the food production and consumption system. Some possibly negative effects were also identified. Electronic grocery shopping (e-grocery) home delivery service was chosen as the subject of a case study because of its direct and indirect potential for reducing the GHG emissions in the food production and consumption system. GHG emission reduction potential through the implementation of various e-grocery home delivery strategies was quantified. Depending on the home delivery model used, it is possible to reduce the GHG emissions generated by grocery shopping by 18% to 87% compared with the situation in which household members go to the store themselves. We estimate that the maximum theoretical potential of e-grocery home delivery service for reducing the GHG emissions of Finland is roughly 0.3% to 1.3%; however, the current and estimated future market potential is much smaller, because the estimated market share of e-grocery services is only 10% by 2005. Narrowing the gap between the theoretical and the actual potential requires a model that would simultaneously provide additional value to the consumer and be profitable to companies. To be able to achieve significant reductions in GHG emissions, system-level innovations and changes are required. Further research is needed before conclusions can be reached as to whether e-commerce and e-grocery are useful tools in that respect.

An Insider's Experiences with Environmental Entrepreneurship

Abstract: The author argues that most of the normal entrepreneurial laws are valid also for environmental ventures. However, the value-based leadership often rightly associated with environmental entrepreneurs gives a special flavour to these businesses. With hands-on practical experience and an insightful theoretical orientation, the author analyses typical environmental business features and its main segments and presents a typology of ecopreneurs. ● Entrepreneurship

An agenda for sustainability transitions research: State of the art and future directions

Abstract: Research on sustainability transitions has expanded rapidly in the last ten years, diversified in terms of topics and geographical applications, and deepened with respect to theories and methods. This article provides an extensive review and an updated research agenda for the field, classified into nine main themes: understanding transitions; power, agency and politics; governing transitions; civil society, culture and social movements; businesses and industries; transitions in practice and everyday life; geography of transitions; ethical aspects; and methodologies. The review shows that the scope of sustainability transitions research has broadened and connections to established disciplines have grown stronger. At the same time, we see that the grand challenges related to sustainability remain unsolved, calling for continued efforts and an acceleration of ongoing transitions. Transition studies can play a key role in this regard by creating new perspectives, approaches and understanding and helping to move society in the direction of sustainability.