The Viipuri Prize recipient of the year 2024, Professor Ron Adner, started his academic journey as an engineer. Adner has always been interested in innovation. At one point, he realized that much of the innovation challenge lies in the choices that are made before and after development rather than in the operational environment itself. Thus, Adner ended up doing a PhD at a business school to better understand the non-technological issues that surround technology challenges.
“Once I started exploring these issues, I just couldn’t stop,” he says.
Ron Adner is Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in the United States. Adner is renowned for his pioneering work on the concept of ecosystem strategy.
“Much of my work is focused on the question of ecosystem strategy – how and when the boundaries between industries shift and blur. We need to dramatically change the way in which we approach core issues like competition, organization, and leadership. This has had important implications and applications in research, practice, and policy. It’s very exciting.”
Adner enjoys pretty much everything about his job.
“Being able to develop new ideas, sharing them with engaged students, scholars, and executives, and then using their feedback to drive the next development cycle – this is incredibly joyful and fulfilling. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
One of Adner’s inspiring professional experiences took place in Kenya in early June. Adner had a chance to contribute to collaboration between a leading US agriculture technology firm and an innovative local player that is trying to revolutionize farming across Africa.
“Vision, passion, potential, energy… Absolutely inspiring to see what is possible in today's world, with the right people and the right plan.”
Twentieth anniversary of the school’s unique Viipuri Prize
LUT Business School’s Viipuri Prize is usually awarded every other year to an internationally acclaimed top researcher whose work has had a significant impact on the research and teaching at the school. This year, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the unique Viipuri Prize.
“Receiving the prize is a great honor. I’m really looking forward to the interactions and the event,” says Professor Adner.
The award ceremony will be held in Helsinki in September, and LUT alumni are invited. Previous Viipuri Prize winners will also be in attendance, including the first recipient of the prize, David Teece, and professors Peter Buckley, UK, (2006 prize) and Constance E. Helfat, USA (2014 prize).
"Together with the Society for Viipuri School of Economics, we are delighted to present Ron Adner with the eleventh Viipuri Prize, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to ecosystem strategy, innovation ecosystems, and competitive dynamics, which have profoundly influenced both academic thought and practical application in the business world”, says Dean Sami Saarenketo from LUT Business School.
Ecosystem strategy
Adner’s perspective highlights that successful ecosystem strategies require more than just building partnerships; they involve carefully orchestrating the activities and contributions of various players to create a cohesive and resilient system that can deliver sustained value. His insights are particularly valuable for companies navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments where innovation and coordination are critical for success.
Viipuri Prize
- founded by the Society for Viipuri School of Economics (VITAKO)
- presented to an internationally acclaimed top researcher
- given to 10 recipients so far
- a 20,000-euro award
- first given to the father of dynamic capabilities, David Teece, in 2003
- last given to the father of open innovation, Henry Chesbrough, in 2022
- will be awarded to Professor Ron Adner this year in Helsinki on September 6
