The interplay of productization and business models across research-to-commercialization continuum. A framework for sustainable value creation
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Martti Ahtisaari auditorium (L2), Linnanmaa campus
Topic of the dissertation
The interplay of productization and business models across research-to-commercialization continuum. A framework for sustainable value creation
Doctoral candidate
Master of Science Pukar Jung Kunwar
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Technology, Industrial Engineering and Management
Subject of study
Sustainable value creation and innovation commercialization
Opponent
Professor Jouni Juntunen, University of Vaasa
Custos
Professor Jukka Majava, University of Oulu
A framework for translating sustainable innovation from idea into adoption
Novel technologies, products, or services do not inherently have sustainable value. This research argues that sustainable value is created through how an offering is defined, delivered, and communicated, ultimately influencing its market and user adoption.
Despite the growing need and rapid development of sustainable innovations, their commercialization and adoption remain constrained by challenges related to customer acceptance, limited communication of value, and a lack of commercialization-oriented business models. Sustainable innovation development is often driven primarily by technological possibilities, with insufficient attention to changing market and customer needs. This imbalance can make potential users reluctant to become the first to adopt a new solution, slowing the diffusion of sustainable innovations.
This research shows that productization (making an innovation understandable and market-ready) and business models (defining how value is created, delivered, and captured) should be developed together throughout the journey from research to commercialization. Developing them together helps connect technological development with market needs and provides a basis for commercially viable sustainable innovations.
However, creating sustainable value is not enough if that value cannot be demonstrated to potential users. The research therefore also examines the carbon handprint, which describes the positive environmental impact that a product, service, or project enables for its users. Connecting this environmental information with product and lifecycle information can help companies make the sustainable value of their offerings more visible, measurable, and credible.
Using qualitative research methods, including literature reviews, conceptual analysis, and case studies, the dissertation brings together four interrelated studies. The resulting sustainable value creation framework shows how technological development, business planning, market needs, and value communication can be addressed in parallel rather than as separate stages.
Despite the growing need and rapid development of sustainable innovations, their commercialization and adoption remain constrained by challenges related to customer acceptance, limited communication of value, and a lack of commercialization-oriented business models. Sustainable innovation development is often driven primarily by technological possibilities, with insufficient attention to changing market and customer needs. This imbalance can make potential users reluctant to become the first to adopt a new solution, slowing the diffusion of sustainable innovations.
This research shows that productization (making an innovation understandable and market-ready) and business models (defining how value is created, delivered, and captured) should be developed together throughout the journey from research to commercialization. Developing them together helps connect technological development with market needs and provides a basis for commercially viable sustainable innovations.
However, creating sustainable value is not enough if that value cannot be demonstrated to potential users. The research therefore also examines the carbon handprint, which describes the positive environmental impact that a product, service, or project enables for its users. Connecting this environmental information with product and lifecycle information can help companies make the sustainable value of their offerings more visible, measurable, and credible.
Using qualitative research methods, including literature reviews, conceptual analysis, and case studies, the dissertation brings together four interrelated studies. The resulting sustainable value creation framework shows how technological development, business planning, market needs, and value communication can be addressed in parallel rather than as separate stages.
Created 24.8.2026 | Updated 24.8.2026