Louis successfully defended his PhD thesis titled "BREXIT, New Europe and Newness Chasm: Cross-Channel Conceptualization of Newness and Tradition. Offensive and Defensive Legitimation - Perceptions at the Interface between the Organizational and the Socio-Political” on April 25, 2025, at the Aalborg University Business School, DK.

The examination committee: Louise B. Kringelum (chair, Aalborg University Business School), Natasha Evers (Trinity Business School), Per Servais (Linnæus University).

Supervisory team: Romeo V. Turcan (Aalborg University Business School), Norbert Mundorf (University of Rhode Island), Ian Reyes (University of Rhode Island), Chris Mould (The Shaftesbury Partnership).

Louis' thesis examines how legitimacy unfolds at the intersection between the organisational and socio-political. It uses the case of UK withdrawal from the European Union (EU) – commonly known as Brexit – to investigate how newness emerges and achieves legitimacy to the point of initiating large-scale multilateral institutional change. Using grounded theory techniques and methods to build a new theory based on substantive case studies, this thesis contributes to an understanding of legitimacy and institutional theory, clarifying the processes by which perceptions of legitimacy and illegitimacy are shaped and manipulated.

Policy impact
Based on his research, Louis developed a White Paper “Legitimacy Threat Mitigation – An EU Strategy” that was submitted to the European Commission 'Fit for Future Platform'.

Louis received his MBA and BA in English Literature & Theology from the the University of Manchester, UK. He has extensive experience in accounting, legal and consulting and fund-raising.

Louis' PhD was part of the Marie S. Curie H2020 ETN project, LNETN, coordinated by Romeo V. Turcan.

Goncalo successfully defended his PhD thesis titled "21st Century Energy and Legitimation of New Industries: Innovating for and Legitimating the Bio-Economy - A Study of the European Green Transition” on February 28, 2025, at the University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School, UK.

The examination committee: Natasha Evers (external examiner, Trinity Business School) and x y (internal, University of Glasgow).

Supervisory team: Niall G. MacKenzie (University of Glasgow), the late Ruby Roy Dholakia (University of Rhode Island), Steven Hamill (Scottish Edge).

In his thesis, Goncalo explores the connection between the green transition and legitimation through the energy sector. He looks at the green transition’s energy sector through the eyes of the current actors’ insights while keeping in mind the incumbents that generated the current issues and which are still present in the transition. Goncalo's thesis shows the current progress of the green transition’s energy sector and uncovers potential factors that affect its speed. As a final contribution to knowledge, the thesis provides a tentative framework of the influential actors and their relationship with legitimation regarding the legitimation of the green transition through the energy sector.

Policy impact
Based on his research, Goncalo developed a White Paper, “Acceleration of the Green Transition” that was submitted to the European Commission 'Fit for Future Platform'.

Gonçalo received his MSc in Genetics and Evolution from the University of Porto, Portugal and BSc in Biology from the University of Lisbon, Portugal. He has experience as European Project Manager and Medical Researcher for the Catalonian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Programme.

Goncalo's PhD was part of the Marie S. Curie H2020 ETN project, LNETN, coordinated by Romeo V. Turcan.

Jackson successfully defended his PhD thesis titled "Competing for legitimation” on January 17, 2025, at Halmstad University, Sweden.

The examination committee: Tuija Mainela (opponent, University of Oulu), Niall MacKenzie (examiner, University of Strathclyde), Joakim Tell (examiner, Halmstad University), Anna Öhrvall Rönnbäck (examiner, Luleå University).

Supervisory team: Svante Andersson (Halmstad University) Romeo V. Turcan (Aalborg University), Jukka Matikainen (New Factory, Finland).

In his thesis, Jackson focuses on how new firms, ventures, products and institutions co-emerge and co-legitimate, including, the legitimation of new firms during the co-emergence of newness - an under-researched area that is of critical importance for businesses and policymakers. In his thesis, Jackson developed a model that can aid managers and policymakers in assessing the status of the industry while introducing new products (for managers) and new regulations (for policymakers) to enable them to develop fitting legitimation strategies that can effectively address prevailing conditions and activities of different players within an emerging or changing industry.

Policy impact
Based on his research, Jackson developed a White Paper, “Toward an EU Online Gambling Policy” that was submitted to the European Commission 'Fit for Future Platform'.

Jackson received his MSc in Global Business and Management from Nottingham Trent University, in UK and MSc in international Management from ISCTE-IUL Business School, Portugal and his BSc in Business and Information Technology from Africa Nazarene University, Kenya.

Jackson's PhD was part of the Marie S. Curie H2020 ETN project, LNETN, coordinated by Romeo V. Turcan.

Manoella successfully defended her PhD thesis titled "International growth in life sciences: The influence of new institutions and policies on the emergence of new product concepts" December 17, 2024, at the Halmstad University, Sweden.

The examination committee: Niina Nummela (opponent, University of Turku), Mikael Hilmersson (examiner, University of Gothenburg), Thomas Magnusson (examiner, Halmstad University), Susanne Sandberg (examiner, Linneus University).

Supervisory team: Svante Andersson (Halmstad University), Minna Pikkarainen (University of Oulu), Lars Lindquist (Gettinge).

In her thesis, Manoella explores the process of legitimation asking "how do companies legitimate new brands and new products in international markets?" By integrating institutional and legitimation theories with rebranding and product launch strategies,the thesis offers insights and practical guidance for businesses operating in global markets. The findings help understanding complexities of legitimation in different contexts and provide actionable strategies to enhance the acceptance of new brands and products internationally.  

Policy impact
Based on her research, Manoella developed a White Paper on "Global reach: Policies for Launching International new products in the life sciences industry" that she submitted to the European Commission 'Fit for Future Platform'.

Manoella received her BSC in Marketing and Social Communications from Universidade Regional de Blumenau (Regional University of Blumenau), Brazil.

Manoella's PhD was part of the Marie S. Curie H2020 ETN project, LNETN, coordinated by Romeo V. Turcan.

Oxana successfully defended her PhD thesis titled "Moving beyond technology frontiers. Legitimacy of local 5G and 6G mobile communication networks: An ecosystem and business model perspectives to regulation" on November 8, 2024, at the University of Oulu, Finland.

The examination committee: Matti Mäntymäki (opponent, University of Turku), Zoraida Frias (pre-examiner, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid), and Lauri Frank (pre-examiner, University of Jyväskylä).

Supervisory team: Petri Ahokangas (University of Oulu), Jillian Gordon (University of Glasgow), Seppo Yrjölä (NOKIA).

In her exploratory and future-oriented research, Oxana develops an understanding of the impact of regulation on legitimacy in the context of emerging local 5G/6G mobile communication network businesses. She applies a combined ecosystem and business model perspective as a lens to focus on regulation and legitimacy. Her research is qualitative and combines document analysis and semi-structured interviews.  Oxana puts forward a new conceptual framework for understanding the impact of regulation on legitimacy in the context of local 5G/6G network business with an ecosystem and business model perspective. Oxana’s research offers a unique perspective on future mobile communications, contributing to ecosystem and business model, regulation and legitimacy literature. Three main contributions can be singled out. A combined ecosystem and business model approach helped frame and identify regulatory themes relevant for achieving legitimacy. Regulation emerged as an enabler for emergent business models and ecosystems and foundational for heir legitimacy. The business model and ecosystem perspectives introduced antecedents and outcomes thinking to regulation and legitimacy. The research results provide insights for policymakers and managers on how the combined ecosystem and business model approach helps frame areas in need for regulation.

Policy impact
Based on her research, Oxana developed a White Paper on "Towards legitimacy of local 5G/6G mobile communication businesses" that she submitted to the European Commission 'Fit for Future Platform'.

Oxana received her MSc in Criminal Law at the University of the European Studies of Moldova.

Oxana's PhD was part of the Marie S. Curie H2020 ETN project, LNETN, coordinated by Romeo V. Turcan.

Rashid successfully defended his PhD thesis titled "Smart energy: Challenges of newness - Legitimacy and business models in the emerging electric commercial vehicle ecosystem" on June 25, 2024 at the University of Oulu, Finland.

The examination committee: Taina Eriksson (opponent, University of Turku) and Sami Saarenketo (LUT University).

Supervisory team: Petri Ahokangas (University of Oulu), Natasha Evers (Halmstad University), Seppo Yrjola (NOKIA)

Rashid explores in his thesis how firms seek legitimacy with their business models (BMs) in emerging ecosystems. He adopts BM as a tool for analyzing the business ecosystem and addressing its legitimacy challenges. This approach facilitates understanding of how these BMs shape the broader ecosystem, thereby offering a novel view of legitimacy within the ecosystem. Rashid employs an exploratory qualitative case study method, focusing on the Electric Commercial Vehicle ecosystem in Finland and Sweden. This ecosystem, beng at a critical phase of its evolution, has been a relevant subject to study the challenges of seeking legitimacy in an emerging business context.

Rashid's research contributes to the academic understanding of emerging ecosystems and the role of BMs within them. It emphasizes the critical role of BMs in seeking legitimacy within the emerging ecosystem, highlighting that firms' actions and strategic choices directly shape their legitimacy. He proposes the importance of designing alternative BMs, considering various ecosystem facets and stakeholder groups, to enhance firms’ legitimacy in the ecosystem. In addition, his research demonstrates that the legitimacy of firms within emerging ecosystems is deeply entwined with the mutual acceptance of their business models by other ecosystem actors. It also emphasizes the role of collective actions and collaborative efforts among various ecosystem participants in seeking legitimacy in the emerging ecosystem.

Policy impact
Based on his research, Rashid developed a White Paper on "Electrifying the future of road transport: A proposal for heavy-duty electric trucks" that he submitted to the European Commission 'Fit for Future Platform'.

Rashid received his MSc in Electrical (Power Systems) Engineering from the University of Tehran, Iran and BSc in Electrical (Power) Engineering from the Isfahan University of Technology, Iran.

Rashid's PhD was part of the Marie S. Curie H2020 ETN project, LNETN, cordinated by Romeo V. Turcan.

Demet successfully defended her PhD thesis titled "Exploring Authentic Leadership in organizations: A case of public hospitals in Switzerland" on September 8, 2022 at the University of Gloucestershire, UK.

The examination committee: Kenneth Jørgensen (external; Malmo University) and David Dawson (internal; University of Gloucestershire).

Supervised by: Romeo V. Turcan

Demet explored how Authentic Leadership manifests within executive boards of Swiss public-sector hospitals. Constructivist Grounded Theory Methodology was adopted to dscover major concerns executive board leaders in Swiss public-sector hospitals face and how they resolve them. The research led to the emergence of Power Channeling that is " an authentic process of social impact to form reciprocal collaborations, which maximizes the engagement of executive leaders, toward the achievement of a goal". The emergent substantive theory of Power Channeling reveals new and original knowledge about Authentic Leadership mechanisms and enhances the discourse on Authentic Leadership.

Demet is a CEO at the Pflegeheim Fuhr, Zürich, Schweiz. She worked as a director of a public hospital in Switzerland, and held different leadership positions in the Swiss Leading Private Hospitals Group Hirslanden and, as CEO, in an IT company. She also holds an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma from University of Gloucestershire and BSc in Economic Science from Bern in Switzerland.

Matthias successfully defended his PhD thesis titled "Exploring the emergence and shifting of new and radical product concepts in the context of In-vitro Diagnostics industry" on June 10, 2020 at University of Gloucestershire, UK.

The examination committee: Nikolaos Tzokas (external; Mohammad Bin Salman College of Business & Entrepreneurship, Saudi Arabia) and Phillipa Ward (internal; University of Gloucestershire).

Supervised by: Romeo V. Turcan and Carsten Bartsch

Matthias explores how new radical product concepts emerge under uncertainty in the context of the In-vitro Diagnostics (IVD) industry. Specifically, he studies how new product concepts that build on fundamentally new technology are elaborated, defined and modified in an early development stage within a globally operating corporation. In his theory building thesis, Matthias develops a theory of Scoping to explain the emergence of new product concepts under uncertainty. This thesis sheds light on the dynamics of new, radical product development in complex market and corporate environments, contributing to our understanding of constant adaptation processes - concept shifts - during early development phases.

Matthias is an Innovation Manager, working in the medical device industry. In the past years, Matthias held various positions in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. His research interest is Innovation and R&D Management particularly in the context of highly regulated industries. He also holds a Master in European Business from the ESCP Europe Business School and a diploma in pharmaceutical engineering.

Carsten successfully defended his DBA thesis titled "Exploring internationalisation effects on firm performance: Quantitative empirical study among German, Swiss and Austrian listed companies" on September 12, 2018 at University of Gloucestershire, UK.

The examination committee: Hamid Moini (external; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) and Xiaoling Hu (inernal; University of Goucestershire).

Supervised by: Romeo V. Turcan (main) and Elke Pioch (second)

In his thesis, Carsten studied the relationship between internationalization and firm performance. Specifically, he explored the relevance of internationalization in the context of other factors of firm growth as well as additional effects of internationalization in the context of M&A, R&D, intangible assets and capital structure neglected in prior firm growth and internationalization research. His thesis combines several distinct theoretical lenses and is based exclusively on financial data and financial analysis research. Carsten employed advanced methods of financial analysis in combination with advanced statistical analysis methods to explore the effects of internationalization on firm performance.

Carsten is the General Manger International and member of the Executive Board at Tchibo GmbH in Hamburg. Before his assignment at Tchibo, Carsten was working 19 years for Lindt & Sprüngli. During this period, he worked as Vice President Marketing, Country Manager and CEO in 10 different Countries in North America and Europe. 

Thesis title: Fluid ethics and legitimation of newness. In her research, Olga explores how fluid ethics influence existing institutions and contribute to the emergence, legitimation and creation of new institutions in the area of environmental conservation.

Olga will lay the groundwork for new conceptual frameworks for understanding fluid ethics, which have become important in shaping collective behavior at all levels, institutional, competitive and individual. Olga's research, as part of the 'Legitimation of New Institutions and Policies' research theme, will contribute to the creation of new knowledge in the area of how new institutions and policies shape and are shaped by innovations and new technologies, how new business-policy relationships are created, emerge and are legitimated in various contexts, and the impact of these processes on national performance.

Olga has received a Master of Public Policy in Environmental Management and Policy from Yeungnam University and the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul, Republic of Korea, and a Second Level University Master Degree in Cooperation and Development from the Institute for Advanced Study of Pavia and University of Pavia. She holds extensive experience in policy monitoring and evaluation and project cycle management.

Olga is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie early stage researcher (ESR 4) within the LNETN project. She is registered with Aalborg University in Denmark. Her supervisory team consists of Romeo V. Turcan (AAU, host), Jillian Gordon (GU), Chris Mould (SHAFT).

Thesis title: Legitimation process of new actors and new business-policy partnerships. In her research, Luiza studies how new, non-corrupt, transparent, apolitical, open sharing of experience and knowledge, and inclusive and wide participation partnership between sector NGOs, executives and policy makers emerges, is created and legitimated.

Central conjecture is that development institutions and policy makers that care about emergence of new actors and new business-policy relationships need to deploy legitimacy building initiatives alongside their existing capacity building programs to see meaningful outcomes. Luiza's research, as part of the 'Legitimation of New Institutions and Policies' research theme, will contribute to the creation of new knowledge in the area of how new institutions and policies shape and are shaped by innovations and new technologies, how new business-policy relationships are created, emerge and are legitimated in various contexts, and the impact of these processes on the economy and polity.

Luiza received her MSc Business Administration and BSc in Public Administration from the University of the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Luiza is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie early stage researcher within the LNETN project.  She is employed by the University of Halmstad in Sweden. Her supervisory team consists of Natasha Evers (HH, host), Timo Koivumäki (UOULU), Jukka Matikainen (NF).

Thesis title: Enterprise and the internet of things: legitimating new business models in the 21st century. In her research, Aastha explores how new business models in disruptive industries such as Internet of Things (IoT) emerge and are legitimated.

IoT that is high on the EU's political agenda seeks to merge physical and virtual worlds creating 'smart environments' which require companies to work together in making technologies interoperable. Her reserach lays the groundwork for better understanding policy support to encourage and protect SMEs operating in IoT industry and facilitate co-operation and development in adjacent industries and technologies. Aastha's research, as part of the 'Legitimation of New Industries and New Ventures' research theme, will contribute to the development of a widely applicable theory, policy, practice and provide high quality research data on how new industries and ventures gain legitimation.

Aastha completed her MBA in General Management from Indian Institute of Management, India and her BSc in Engineering from the University of Pune, India. She has extensive experience in business development, innovation ecosystem consulting, and managing partnerships within start-up ecosystems.

Aastha is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie early stage researcher within the LNETN project.  Aastha is employed by the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Her supervisory team consists of Jillian Gordon (GU, host), Svante Andersson (HH), Lars Lindquist (GET).

Thesis title: Styles of representation of newness and change in creative industries. In her research, Deniz explores how newness and change, new methods and practices are explained and communicated, aiming for legitimation.

Organisations in creative industries such as Architecture, Createch, Design, Fashion, and Games are selected for detailed study of their representational practices by which a type of practice or idea is conceptualised and communicated beyond the field of the expertise, exploring the efficacy and consequence of extant and potential methods of representation of innovation and change. Deniz's research, as part of the 'Legitimation of New Organizing Forms and New Practices' research theme, will contribute to the development of organisational typologies and best practices, revealing new ways to explain how new organizing forms and practices emerge and legitimate, and impact organisations, markets and society.

Deniz received her MSc in Agro-Food Marketing from the Instituto Agronómico Mediterráneo de Zaragoza, Spain and her BSc in Food Engineering from the Middle East Technical University, Turkey.

Deniz is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie early stage researcher within the LNETN project. Deniz is employed by the Halmstad University in Sweden. Her supervisory team consists of Jonas Gabrielsson (HH, host), Dmitrij Slepniov (AAU), Henrik Lundum (NOVI)

Thesis title: Analysis of change narratives and diffusion. In his research, Cristian explores the relationship between the legitimation narratives and changing organizational realities.

Analysis of change narratives and diffusion. In his research, Cristian explores the relationship between the legitimation narratives and changing organizational realities. Focusing on legitimation of newness and change narratives and diffusion and analyzing discourse, writing and story-telling, his research explores how newness and change could be viewed as different ways of speaking, writing and storytelling, contributing to innovation change and diffusion theory communicated through academic publications and events. Cristian's research, as part of the 'Legitimation of New Organizing Forms and New Practices' research theme, will contribute to the development of organisational typologies and best practices, revealing new ways to explain how new organizing forms and practices emerge and legitimate, and impact organisations, markets and society.

Cristian has MSc in Management and Organizations and Sociology from Kellogg School of Management, US and MSc in Organizational and Economic Psychology from University of Bucharest, Romania. Cristian has extensive experience in restructuring, chairing and managing large international non-for-profit organizations.

Cristian is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie early stage researcher within the LNETN project. Cristian is employed by the Aalborg University Business School. His supervisory team consists of Romeo V. Turcan (AAU, host), Nikhilesh Dholakia (URI), Ian Reyes (URI), Norman M. Fraser (Softiron)

Thesis title: Developing 21st century platform business models: Human-centred approach to personal data management. In her research, Julia explores how human-centred personal data management can enable the emergence and legitmation of novel 21st century platform based business models

Platform business models are mostly based on the utilisation of personal data that is collected about people using their services. There is a need for a shift from organisation-centred activities towards human-centred personal data management, as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) calls for, thus giving citizens back control over of their personal data.

Julia's research, as part of the 'Legitimation of Newness in Modern and Traditional Contexts' research theme, will generate new understanding of how newness emerges and is legitimated in traditional and modern contexts, and how these patterns and consequences of newness compare and compete with newness across traditional and modern contexts.

Julia received her MSc in Business Administration and E-Business from Copenhagen Business School, Denmark and BSc in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. She has experience in starting up and managing creative firms.

Julia is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie early stage researcher within the LNETN project. Julia is employed by the University of Oulu’s Martti Ahtisaari Institute in Finland. Her supervisory team consists of Timo Koivumäki (UOULU, host), Dominic Chalmers (GU), Jari Partanen (BITT)

Thesis title: Dawn of the human-centric personal data market. In her research, Aigerim explores how new business ecosystems and human-centric personal data co-emerge and are co-legitimated.

The research studies emergence and legitimation of practices, dynamics, and business models of the new business ecosystems in the context of new market of human-centric personal data. As part of the 'Legitimation of Newness in Modern and Traditional Contexts' research theme, it will enhance our understanding of traditional and new, modern institutions, opportunities, barriers, practices, and business models that can be identified within and across newly emergent ecosystems.

Aigerim received her Master’s degree in Finance at the Royal Holloway University of London and Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at the University of Bristol, UK. She has extensive experience in healthcare financing and healthcare economics, corporate and asset management at the national level companies.

Aigerim is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie early stage researcher within the LNETN project. Her supervisory team consists of Petri Ahokangas (UOULU, host), Niall MacKenzie (GU), Jari Partanen (BITT).

Thesis title: Disrupting the Disrupters: Strategies of successful innovative survival in traditional industries. In his research, Saurav explores how newness and innovation emerge and are legitimated in cutting-edge, high-tech modern and traditional industries.

Rapid-rising start-ups, often labelled as ‘unicorns’, are disrupting traditional practices and industries, such as transportation, hospitality, finance, and education. While many traditional companies and industries are in decline because of such disruptive attacks, select few are innovating within traditional contexts, in ways that effectively counter disrupters.

Saurav's research, as part of the 'Legitimation of Newness in Modern and Traditional Contexts' research theme, will generate new understanding of how newness emerges and is legitimated in traditional and modern contexts, and how these patterns and consequences of newness compare and compete with newness across traditional and modern contexts.

Saurav received his MBA in Industrial Management from National Institute of Industrial Engineering, India and BSc in Technology from Cochin University of Science and Technology, India. He has extensive experience as leader and manager in banking and financial service industries.

Saurav is Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher within the LNETN project. His supervisory team consits of Dmitrij Slepniov (AAU, host), the late Ruby Roy Dholakia (URI), Nicola Anderson (FinTech Scotland).

Thesis title: Exploring Environmental, Social, and Governance adoption by Luxury New Ventures. In his research, Dennis explores how entrepreneurs who establish - Michelin-star or Relais & Châteaux-rated - luxury hotels and restaurants enact newness and change, such as ESG, while preserving cultural traditions, during the emergence of luxury new ventures.

What are the underlying motivational factors for entrepreneurs to adopt ESG in new luxury ventures? What are their main concerns during the start-ups of their ESG-led new ventures and beyond? How do they lead and legitimate ESG-led luxury new ventures? These are the key questions Dennis is interested in researching in his thesis in the context of Michelin-star or Relais & Châteaux-rated - luxury hotels and restaurants. 

Dennis is an Adjunct Professor for the MBA program at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management (Montreal) and a Lecturer for the Master of Marketing program at York University’s Schulich School of Business (Toronto) in Canada. He brings senior executive marketing and management experiences from Boston Consulting’s Putnam Associates and three different Fortune 500 companies.

Dennis holds an M.Sc. in International Marketing from the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.) and a B.Comm in Marketing from Mount Allison University (New Brunswick, Canada).