ABS Finland Overseas Seminar - Pre-Visit Report (Helsinki)

Aoyama Business School (ABS) conducted a pre-visit to Helsinki and Tampere in preparation for our upcoming overseas seminar in February 2027. This report covers the Helsinki portion of the visit.

Finland has ranked #1 in the World Happiness Report for nine consecutive years. Through discussions with leading companies and universities, we explored the foundations of Finland’s global competitiveness—Design, Innovation, Well-being, and Security—and how these elements contribute to building a sustainable well-being society.

Delegation:

• ・Professor Takamichi Hosoda, Dean of ABS
• ・Professor Hidetoshi Seki, Specially Appointed Professor

1. Aalto University
Anugya Singh - Interim Director of International Relations
At Aalto University, we discussed the foundations of Finland’s globally recognized design thinking and innovation education. Our dialogue focused on how a design approach rooted in societal challenges contributes to national-level competitiveness, supported by concrete examples from Aalto’s interdisciplinary initiatives.

2. Fiskars Group
Mari Jokinen - VP HR, IITTALA Moomin & Nordic Brands Suvi-Marina Enqvist - Marketing Director, Iittala, Moomin Arabia & Nordic Brands
At Fiskars Group, we explored the design philosophy of Iittala and Arabia, as well as the broader innovation strategy of the company. We learned how "design that enhances everyday life" and "product development grounded in sustainability" strengthen the global competitiveness of these iconic Nordic brands.

3. Mehiläinen
Reetta-Maija Koskinen - HR Project Manager Tatu Tulokas - CHRO, Mehiläinen Group Antti O. Niskanen - Director, Data Science & AI
At Mehiläinen, discussions centered on digital healthcare innovation that supports Finland’s well-being society. We gained insights into how AI and data science are used to improve clinical efficiency, enhance patient experience, and strengthen employee well-being—showcasing the forefront of healthcare digital transformation.

4. F-Secure
Verna Kotkavaara - Global TA & Employer Branding Partner Gaby Ooi - Office & Experience Alchemist
At F-Secure, we discussed the growing importance of cybersecurity in light of recent global developments, as well as initiatives to enhance employee well-being and productivity. The company’s culture of pursuing both security and well-being reaffirmed how these elements contribute to Finland’s sustained competitiveness.

5. Professor Arto Lindblom
This series of corporate visits was made possible through the support and network of Professor Arto Lindblom of Aalto University. Thanks to his introductions, we were able to engage in highly meaningful discussions with Finland’s leading organizations. We express our sincere gratitude for his invaluable assistance.

Through intensive discussions with each organization, we were able to clarify the direction for the upcoming seminar in February. This pre-visit provided valuable insights into how Finland’s strengths in:

• ・Design
• ・Innovation
• ・Well-being
• ・Security

collectively support national competitiveness.
We will continue preparing to ensure that the February program offers a highly enriching international learning experience for ABS students and participants.