Annual report 2022: Research and development
Lead paragraph
Haaga-Helia’s research, development and innovation activities (RDI) took significant steps forward by several indicators in 2022. Our project applications were successful, and the funding won during the year remained on an excellent level. The success experienced in the previous year enabled us to again engage more specialists in the project activities than before – the involvement in the RDI activities is growing. This was also reflected in our publishing activities – during the year, we produced more than a thousand publications, including dozens of peer-reviewed ones.
In the past year, the phenomenon-based approach guided our RDI actors to brainstorm a wide variety of projects. Our first pilot theme, Utilising technology – Continuous development of digital competence, is well aligned with the core of all of our research areas.
Haaga-Helia’s operations are guided by five values: accountability, collaboration, courage, respect and transparency. These values are highly visible in our RDI activities. The key meaning of the values of transparency, accountability and collaboration is that there are shared ground rules on the collection, presentation, documentation, description and storage of research data produced, modified and used in the projects. For this purpose, we drew up Haaga-Helia’s research data policy, which is the foundation for handling research data in the different stages of its life cycle.
We also developed our learning, research and innovation environments, or Labs, in a powerful manner. We integrated the formerly separate sixteen environments into an entity that strives for a powerful impact. Our Labs offer business life and our students with solutions in six different theme areas. These are designing services and experiences, enhancing entrepreneurship, boosting marketing and sales, novel learning solutions, developing digital solutions, and strategic competitive factor in sustainability.
Highlights of 2022
- Using artificial intelligence methods and applications was manifested in a number of research projects. For example, the focus of the AI-TIE project was to use AI solutions in the innovation work of small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Research collaboration deepened with the Ulysseus alliance formed by European universities. The specialists working in Haaga-Helia’s projects also play a central role in the activities of the Ulysseus AI Innovation Hub and the Finnish AI Region (FAIR) EDIH (European Digital Innovation Hub).
- The international Inclusive Aviation project (INCLAVI) boldly tackled challenges in air travel. The goal of the ambitious project is to improve the free movement of people with disabilities and reduced mobility by, for example, training personnel and removing obstacles at airports.