Doctoral Theses

year	doctoral theses	AUTHOR
31st May 2024	Individual competencies and organisational support mechanisms to enhance virtual team success Supervisors: Docent Peter Zettinig, Turku School of Economics, Finland Professor Eriikka Paavilainen-Mäntymäki, Turku School of Economics, Finland Senior Lecturer Marge Täks, PhD, Estonian Business School Opponent: Professor Jakob Lauring Aarhus University, Denmark *International dual doctorate, defence taking place at the University of Turku	Sirja Sulakatko
12th March 2024	Analysing Interorganisational Activities Between Cultural and Creative Industries and Other Sectors on A Managerial Level Supervisor: Professor, Rector Emeritus Arno Almann, PhD Estonian Business School Opponents: Docent Mervi Luonila, DMus in Arts Management Center for Cultural Policy Research CUPORE, Finland, Assistant Professor Ellen Loots, PhD, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands	Kristiina Urb
2024	Intellectual Property as An Element of The Public Support System for Small and Medium Enterprises Supervisors: Professor Tiit Elenurm, Ph.D., Estonian Business School, Adjunct Professor Katrin Nyman-Metcalf, Ph.D., Department of Law, School of Business and Governance, Tallinn University of Technology Opponents: Professor Frantzeska Papadopoulou, Juris Doktor, Law Faculty, Stockholm University, Sweden, Associate Professor Mervi Raudsaar, Ph.D. Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Economics and Business Administration, University of Tartu	Pawan Kumar Dutt
2023	The Effects of External Group Supervision on Individual Professional Performance of Estonian Social Workers Supervisors: Professor Kaire Põder, Ph.D., Estonian Business School, Professor Ruth Alas, Ph.D., Estonian Business School Opponents: Associate Professor Judit Strömpl, Ph.D., Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Social Studies, University of Tartu Airi Mitendorf, Ph.D., Development Manager, The National Institute for Health Development	Tiina Merkuljeva
2023	Situation Similarity Calculus Based Modeling of Decision-Making Process in Urban Transportation Management Supervisor: Professor Peeter Lorents, Ph.D., Estonian Business School, Estonia Opponents: Dr. Gabriel Jakobson, Ph.D., Chief Scientist, CyberGem Consulting, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA Assistant Professor Robert Dygas, PhD., SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Poland	Maryna Averkyna
2022	A Contingent Relationship Between Corporate Social and Financial Performance: The Role of Information Demand and The Signaling Environment Supervisor: Senior Lecturer Alar Kein, Ph.D., Estonian Business School, Estonia Opponents: Associate Professor Lenno Uusküla, Ph.D., University of Tartu, Estonia, Chief Economist, Luminor Estonia Assistant Professor Silvia Blasi, Ph.D., University of Verona, Italy	Renee Pesor
2022	Managerial Perspectives on Fostering Intrapreneurship in Organisations Through Education and Training Supervisors: Professor Olav Aarna, PhD., D.Sc., Estonian Business School, Estonia Senior Lecturer Marge Täks, Ph.D., Estonian Business School, Estonia Opponents: Professor Alexandre Ardichvili, Ph.D., Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA Professor Mathew Hughes, Ph.D., School of Business and Economics, Loughborough University, United Kingdom	Mart Kikas
2021	The Dark and the Bright Side of Empowering Leadership: the Role of Empathy in Times of Uncertainty Supervisors: Mario Martínez-Córcoles, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Valencia, Spain Professor Ruth Alas, Ph.D., Estonian Business School, Estonia Opponents: Professor Levente Littvay, Ph.D., Central European University, Budapest, Hungary. Associate Professor, Kurmet Kivipõld, Ph.D., University of Tartu, Estonia.	Konstantinos Stephanou
2021	Organizational Performance Evaluation in Cultural and Creative Industries Organizations: The Example of Estonia Supervisor: Ülle Pihlak, PhD, senior lecturer, Estonian Business School Professor Toomas Haldma, PhD, University of Tartu Opponents: Professor Annick Schramme, PhD, Antwerp Management School Professor Martin Piber, PhD, The University of Innsbruck	Marge Sassi
2021	The Impact of Total Quality Management on Business Performance: Evidence from the Estonian Tourism Sector Supervisor: professor Kaire Põder, PhD, Estonian Business School professor Katri Kerem, Ph.D., Estonian Business School Opponents: Dr Declan P Bannon, PhD, AFG College with the University of Aberdeen, Scotland Dr Brent McKenzie, PhD, University of Guelph, Canada	Triin Veideman
2021	Responsible Management Education: Practices, Challenges, and Prospects Supervisors: Professor Olav Aarna, PhD, Estonian Business School Professor Mari Kooskora, PhD, Estonian Business School Opponents: Professor Anders Ragnar Örtenblad, PhD, Professor of Work Life Science, University of Agder, Norway Nikodemus Solitander, PhD, Sinituote Postdoctoral Researcher of Supply Chain Management and Social Responsibility, Hanken School of Economics, Finland.	Hala A. Abdelgaffar
2020	A Process-Trace of Selected Innovation- and Technology-Led Economic Growth Factors and Their Implications For Estonia´s Economic Development Supervisor: professor Olav Aarna, PhD, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor Hannu Ruonavaara, Professor of Sociology, University of Turku, Finland Ott Pärna, PhD, School of Economics and Business Administration, University of Tartu	Andrew Adjah Sai
2020	Inclusion of Values in a Country-Level Typology of Corporate Governance Systems Supervisor: professor Mike Wahl, PhD, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor Emeritus Tom Berglund, Dr.Sc. (Econ.), Department of Economics, Hanken School of Economics, Finland Dr. Mare Ainsaar, PhD, Senior Research Fellow in Sociology and Social Policy, Institute of Social Studies, University of Tartu	Supriya Banerjee
2020	Sustainability of the Regional Airline Model in the Legal Framework of the European Union Supervisor: professor Kaire Põder, PhD, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor Manuela Tvaronavičienė, PhD, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Lithuania & Enno Lend, PhD, Tallinn University of Applied Sciences, Estonia	Sven Kukemelk
2020	Determinants of Market Entry Mode For Finnish SMEs Entering Neighbouring Catch-Up and Emerging Markets Supervisor: Professor Tiit Elenurm, PhD, Estonian Business School Opponents: Professor Gunnar Prause, Dr. math., Faculty of Business, Business Informatics, University of Wismar, Germany Professor Arto Ojala, PhD in Econ. School of Marketing and Communication, International Business University of Vaasa, Finland	Faisal Shahzad
2019	Young Students´ Online Social Networking Readiness For Entrepreneurship in Small Developing European Economies Supervisor: professor Tiit Elenurm, PhD, Estonian Business School Opponents: Mervi Raudsaar, PhD, University of Tartu & professor Andrea Gelei, PhD, Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary	Oliana Sula
2019	Books and Biases - the Explanation for Bounded Rationality in Managing Personal Finances Supervisor: professor Katri Kerem, Ph.D., Estonian Business School Opponents: professor Liga Peiseniece, D.Sc., BA School of Business and Finance, Latvia & emeritus professor Fred van Raaij, Ph.D., Tilburg University, The Netherlands	Leonore Riitsalu
2019	Emerging Patterns of Digitalization in the Estonian Music Industry Supervisors: professor Ruth Alas, Ph.D., Estonian Business School & professor Meelis Kitsing, Ph.D., Estonian Business School Opponents: Professor Tanja Johansson, D.Sc. Econ., Sibelius Academy, Finland & professor Tuomas Auvinen, Ph.D., Aalto University, Finland	Juko-Mart Kõlar
2018	Strategic Management of Economic Development: How Developed Countries Became Developed and Why Georgia Remains A Backward Economy Supervisor: professor Olav Aarna, Ph.D., Estonian Business School Opponents: professor Giga Gavtadze, Ph.D., Akaki Tsereteli State University, Georgia & associate professor Diana Eerma, Ph.D., University of Tartu	Givi Kupatadze
2018	Managing the Risk of Discrepancies in Documentary Letters of Credit: Study of Export DLCs in Estonia Supervisors: professor Olav Aarna, Ph.D., Estonian Business School & professor Tanel Kerikmäe Ph.D., D.Sc., Tallinn University of Technology Opponents: associate professor Dr. Natalia Konovalova, RISEBA University, Latvia & associate professor Dr. iur. Andres Vutt, University of Tartu	Hamed Alavi
2018	Factors Affecting Organizational Commitment Among Teachers in Egyptian Public Primary Schools 2018 Supervisors: Professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School & Associate Professor Riina Koris, Estonian Business School Opponents: Professor dr. Vilmante Kumpikaite-Valiuniene, Kaunas University of Technology & Maris Zernand-Vilson, PhD, Tallinn University of Technology	Mohamed Mousa
2017	Managing Societal Interactions in the Context of Changed Legal Status of Estonian Public Cultural Organisations Supervisors: professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School & professor Annukka Jyrämä, Aalto University and Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Opponents: professor dr. Annick Schramme, University of Antwerp & assistant professor Tiina Ritvala, Aalto University School of Business	Kaari Kiitsak-Prikk
2016	Athlete Brand Construction: a Conceptual Framework and a Perspective Based on Fans' Perceptions Supervisor: professor Katri Kerem, Estonian Business School Opponents: Dr. Ulla-Riitta Ahlfors, University of Jyväskylä & associate professor Andres Kuusik, University of Tartu	Ali Hasaan
2016	Developing Coaching Culture Through Coaching-Based Leadership Style Supervisors: professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School & professor Olav Aarna, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor Anu Virovere, Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences & Dr. Krista Tuulik, TLG Hotell	Signe Vesso
2015	Multi-Level Analytical Frameworks for Supporting Cyber Security Legal Decision Making Password: AgnesKasper Supervisors: professor Peeter Lorents, Estonian Business School & professor Tanel Kerikmäe, Tallinn University of Technology Opponents: professor Katrin Merike Nyman-Metcalf, Tallinn University of Technology & associate professor Rain Ottis, Tallinn University of Technology	Agnes Kasper
2015	Jätkusuutlikkuse suundumused Eesti kohalike omavalitsuse juhtimisinformatsioonis. Tallinna linna juhtumiuuring Supervisors: associate professor Mari Kooskora, Estonian Business School and associate professor Tarmo Kadak, Tallinn University of Technology Opponents: associate professor emeritus Mari Meel, Tallinn University of Technology and professor Kaja Tampere, University of Tallinn	Lea Roostalu
2015	Financial Services Innovation in Estonia Supervisor: professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor emeritus Mart Sõrg, University of Tartu & professor Tatjana Volkova, BA School of Business and Finance, Latvia	Ly Hõbe
2015	The Effectiveness of Intercultural Persuasive Communication in an Organisational Context: Influencing Factors Supervisor: professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor Robert Crane, INEEC Business School & professor emeritus Raimo Nurmi, University of Turku	Elena Pruvli
2015	Adoption and Implementation of New Business Ideas in Estonian Business Organisations Supervisors: professor Ruth Alas & associate professor Tiit Elenurm, Estonian Business School Opponents: Milvi Tepp, PhD, Tallinn University of Technology & associate professor Mario Martinez-Corcoles, Tallinn University of Technology	Maris Zernand-Vilson
2014	Finantsjuhtimise integreeritud mudel Eesti avaliku sektori organisatsioonide näitel Supervisors: professor Arno Almann, Estonian Business School & professor Toomas Haldma, University of Tartu Opponents: associate professor Tarmo Kadak, Tallinn University of Technology & associate professor Kertu Lääts, University of Tartu	Juta Tikk
2013	A Cost Optimizing Model for IT Security Supervisor: professor Peeter Lorents, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor emeritus Leo Võhandu, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia & professor Leo Mõtus, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia	Jüri Kivimaa
2013	Differences in Psychological Contracts in Estonia: the Role of Individual and Contextual Factors Supervisors: professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School & Mare Teichmann, PhD, Tallinn University of Technology Opponents: professor Remi Kouabenan, Universite Pierre Mendes, France & professor Barbara Koyusznik, University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland.	Liina Randmann
2013	The Impact of Profit Measurement on the Financial Reporting and Analysis Supervisors: professor Jaan Alver, Tallinn University of Technology & professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School Opponents: associate professor Ruta Šneidere, University of Latvia, Latvia & associate professor Alla Ozeran, Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University, Ukraine.	Maret Branten
2012	An Evaluation of State-Level Strategies Against Botnets in the Context of Cyber Conflicts Supervisor: professor Peeter Lorents, Estonian Business School Opponents: Gabriel Jakobson, PhD, Chief Scientist, Altusys Corporation, USA & professor emeritus Leo Võhandu, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia.	Christian Günter Czosseck
2012	Change Management in Indian Organizations Compared to Chinese and Estonian Organizations Supervisor: professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor Kondur Harigopal, Institute of Advanced Management Education and Entrepreneurship, India & Vello Rääk, PhD, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia.	Ülle Pihlak
2012	Strategic Management and Optimization System of Military Resources (Based on the Example of the Estonian Defence Forces) Supervisors: professor Peeter Lorents & professor Olav Aarna, Estonian Business School Opponents: dotsent J. F. M. Ugedo, University of Murcia, Spain & professor J.B.M. Kassarjian, Babson College, USA.	Maritana Sedõševa
2012	An Analysis of Factors in Developing a Cross-Border Knowledge Region: the Case of Helsinki and Tallinn City-Regions Supervisor: professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor Tõnu Oja, University of Tartu, Estonia & professor Vilmante Kumpikaite, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania	Merle Krigul
2010	Territoriaalne kogukond ja selle juhtimise õiguslik korraldus Supervisor: professor Arno Almann, Estonian Business School Opponents: Mikk Lõhmus, PhD, Estonia & professor Kalle Merusk, University of Tartu, Estonia	Urmas Arumäe
2010	Cross-Border Cooperation Institutional Organisation and its Role in Regional Development Supervisors: professor Arno Almann, Estonian Business School & Erik Terk, PhD, Tallinn University Opponents: professor Tõnu Oja, University of Tartu, Estonia & professor emeritus Jaak Leimann, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia	Katri-Liis Lepik
2010	Human Resource Management in Estonian Organisations: Formation of the Characteristics in the Institutional and Cultural Context Supervisor: professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School Opponents: associate professor Vilmante Kumpikaite, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania & professor emeritus Raimo Nurmi, Turku School of Economics, Finland	Tõnu Kaarelson
2011	Human Resource and Reputational Crises in Chinese Organisations Supervisor: professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor emeritus Raimo Nurmi, Turku School of Economics, Finland & associate professor Vilmante Kumpikaite, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania	Junhong Gao
2009	Strategy Creation in a Restructuring Environment the Case of an Estonian Fixed Telecommunications Operator Transferring to a Competitive Market in 1993 - 2003 Supervisor: professor Alari Purju, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor Erik Terk, Tallinn University, Estonia & professor emeritus Raimo Nurmi, Turku School of Economics, Finland	Sven Heil
2009	The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility, and Organisational and Individual Factors on the Innovation Climate Supervisor: professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor Asta Pundzienė, ISM University of Management and Economics, Lithuania & professor emeritus Raimo Nurmi, Turku School of Economics, Finland	Ülle Übius
2009	Organizational Changes in Chinese Companies Content, Readiness and Process (2001 - 2007) Supervisor: professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor Asta Pundzienė, ISM University of Management and Economics, Lithuania & professor emeritus Raimo Nurmi, Turku School of Economics, Finland	Wei Sun
2009	Leadership in transitional Estonia on the way to European Union Supervisors: professor Raoul Üksvärav, Tallinn University of Technology & professor Ruth Alas, Estonian Business School Opponents: professor emeritus Raimo Nurmi, Turku School of Economics, Finland & professor Nancy Papalexandris, Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece	Krista Tuulik