Powering the future together – Public-Private Collaboration for the energy transition in Finland

(Press-News.org) Advancing the energy transition requires more than just technological innovation – it demands a joint effort between public and private actors. Giovanna Pinilla De La Cruz’s doctoral dissertation at the University of Vaasa, Finland, explores the mechanisms that foster collaboration in the energy sector, highlighting the Vaasa region’s energy cluster as a successful example.

The transition to sustainable energy systems is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Successfully navigating this transition requires coordinated efforts between public and private collaborators. Trust, common goals, and a clear vision are the foundation of impactful collaboration, as shown in Giovanna Pinilla De la Cruz’s dissertation in Industrial Management.

– Public-Private Collaboration allows partners to combine resources, expertise, and perspectives to address challenges more effectively and develop innovative solutions, explains Pinilla De La Cruz, who will defend her dissertation at the University of Vaasa on 13 December.

Finland’s approach to Public-Private Collaboration is deeply rooted in history and cultural values. This foundation has enabled Finland to develop distinctive schemes of collaboration that are particularly effective in addressing complex issues like the energy transition.

– In Finland, the culture of collaboration is built on horizontal relationships of trust, reciprocity, and transparency, which makes it easier for public and private actors to work together, says Pinilla De La Cruz.

Collaboration shapes the energy transition in the Vaasa region Public institutions are key to fostering collaboration by uniting private companies under a shared vision. This coordinated approach prevents fragmented efforts and drives innovation to achieve long-term benefits. The Vaasa region is especially adept at fostering collaboration among stakeholders to drive the sustainable energy transition forward.

– The GigaVaasa initiative offers a concrete example of this collaboration. By uniting municipalities, companies, universities, and public institutions, the project demonstrates how joint efforts can pave the way for sustainable innovations. As a whole, the region is well-positioned to play a key role in the global energy transition, Pinilla De La Cruz explains.

The dissertation employs qualitative methods, integrating theoretical perspectives such as Sensemaking, Social Exchange Theory, Microfoundations and Practice Theory to analyse successful collaborations. The research was supported by the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, and the Evald and Hilda Nissi Foundation.

Public defence The public examination of M.Sc. Giovanna Pinilla De La Cruz’s doctoral dissertation ”The role of Public-Private Collaboration in advancing the transition towards cleaner and sustainable energy systems: Cultural contexts, ecosystem orchestrations agency, and the role of hybrid schemes” will be held on Friday 13 December 2024 at 15 (Eastern European Time) at the University of Vaasa, auditorium Nissi.

It is possible to participate in the defence also online: 

https://uwasa.zoom.us/j/62510901906?pwd=b3tyt6clbX02jBGnU1lWrdk2oXrVV6.1

(password: 217968)

Professor Henri Hakala (LUT University) will act as opponent and Professor Rodrigo Rabetino Sabugo as custos. 

Doctoral dissertation Pinilla De La Cruz, Giovanna (2024) The role of Public-Private Collaboration in advancing the transition towards cleaner and sustainable energy systems: Cultural contexts, ecosystem orchestrations agency, and the role of hybrid schemes. Acta Wasaensia 550. Doctoral dissertation. University of Vaasa.

Publication pdf

Further information Giovanna Pinilla De La Cruz, tel. +358 29 449 8126, giovanna.pinilla@uwasa.fi


Giovanna Pinilla De La Cruz is originally from Colombia. She completed a Master of Science in Engineering at the University of Sheffield in 2015. Pinilla De La Cruz pursued her doctoral studies at the University of Vaasa. She was awarded scholarships by the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, the Evald and Hilda Nissi Foundation and the Graduate School of the University of Vaasa. She currently works as a project researcher at the VEBIC platform at the University of Vaasa.

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