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Strategic foresight
How organizations anticipate change, build options and use futures to inform strategy.
Strategic foresight · Technology · Innovation
Arho
Suominen
Research Professor working at the intersection of technological change, strategy and innovation.
My work focuses on how technological and societal change reshape innovation systems, how organizations can make sense of emerging technologies, and how foresight can support better strategic choices.
Research
Understanding technological change.
I combine strategic foresight, innovation research and data-intensive analysis to study technological change and its implications for organizations and innovation systems.
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Technology & innovation
Emerging technologies, technological trajectories and the evolution of innovation systems.
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Technology intelligence
Patent, publication and data analytics for understanding science, technology and competitive landscapes.
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Innovation policy
How institutions, policy and societal change influence technological development and adoption.
Speaking & executive engagement
Making technological change useful for decision-makers.
I speak to academic, policy and executive audiences about technological change, foresight and innovation. My work has included invited lectures, executive education, panels and senior-management advisory engagements.
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Strategic foresight & future-making
From anticipating change to shaping strategic options.
From anticipating change to shaping strategic options.
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Emerging technologies & technology strategy
Understanding trajectories, uncertainty and adoption.
Understanding trajectories, uncertainty and adoption.
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Innovation systems & policy
How institutions and policy shape technological development.
How institutions and policy shape technological development.
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Data-driven technology intelligence
Using patents, publications and analytics to support strategic decisions.
Using patents, publications and analytics to support strategic decisions.
Current academic roles
2024 – present
Research Professor, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Strategic foresight; scientific leadership, research agenda development and international collaboration.
2018 – present
Adjunct Professor, Tampere University
Technology forecasting and analytics; teaching and supervision in strategic management and technological change.
Selected professional experience
2019 – 2024
Business Analytics & Foresight Manager, Nokia
Strategic projects, market analysis, foresight and long-term business modelling supporting senior leadership.
2019 – 2022
Principal Scientist, VTT
Strategic foresight, technology analytics, research leadership and advisory work with companies and public-sector actors.
2013 – 2021
Founder & Board Member, Teqmine Analytics
Co-founded a technology venture developing machine-learning and NLP-based analytics for patent and science data.
2007 – 2019
University of Turku & VTT
Research, teaching and increasingly senior roles spanning technology management, foresight, data analytics and innovation research.
Education
2011
Doctor of Science in Technology, University of Turku
Electronics.
2009
Licentiate of Science in Technology, University of Turku
Electronics.
2008
Master of Science in Technology, University of Turku
Electronics product development.
Selected recognition & service
Academic service
Associate Editor, Technological Forecasting and Social Change
Editorial and peer-review service in technology and innovation research.
2015 – 2018
Academy of Finland Postdoctoral Researcher Grant
Research on modelling science and technology systems through massive data collections.
2012 – 2013
ASLA-Fulbright Research Grant
Research exchange at Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Public Policy.