Prof. Dr. Dr.

Tomi Laamanen

Professor of Strategic Management

Tomi Laamanen is chair holder and professor of strategic management, and Executive Director of the Institute of Management & Strategy (IoMS) at the University of St. Gallen. Tomi Laamanen holds PhDs in Finance and Strategy and until his appointment at the HSG in 2011, he served as Managing Director of the Strategy Institute of Aalto University in Finland and was a visiting professor at St.Petersburg State University. Tomi is Academic Director of the Master Program in Strategy and International Management (SIM) and of the PhD Program in General Management. He is a board member and treasurer of the Strategic Management Society, editor-in-chief of the Long Range Planning journal and editorial board member of many other journals. Being a member of the supervisory board and strategy consultant, he cooperates with international companies in various industries.

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Prof. Dr. Dr. Tomi Laamanen

Tomi Laamanen is chair holder and professor of Strategic Management, Executive Director of the Institute of Management & Strategy (IoMS), Director of the PhD Program in General Management and Academic Director of the Master Program in Strategy and International Management (SIM) at the University of St. Gallen. Previously, he was Professor of Strategic Management and Director of the Institute of Strategy at Aalto University (1997-2011), Dean of the Faculty of Management (TKK, Tuotantotalous) (2001-2002) and visiting professor at the University of St. Gallen and the Graduate School of Management (GSOM) of St.Petersburg State University (2011-2013). Tomi Laamanen holds doctoral degrees in strategy and finance.

Tomi Laamanen conducts research in the field of strategic management. Special emphasis is placed on mergers and acquisitions, particularly on acquisition programs and series buyer and strategy processes, managerial cognition and capability dynamics. Professor Laamanen’s works were published in leading international journals like the Strategic Management Journal, the Journal of Management, the Journal of International Business Studies, the Journal of Management Studies, the Academy of Management Learning and Education, the Research Policy, the Long Range Planning and the Journal of Business Finance and Accounting, Strategic Organization and Harvard Business Review.

Tomi Laamanen is Editor-in-Chief of Long Range Planning (2016–present), former Associate Editor of the Strategic Management Journal (2009-2015) and a member of editorial boards of the Academy of Management Journal, the Academy of Management Discoveries, the Journal of Management and the Strategic Management Journal. He also initiated and edited three special editions; on “Strategy Processes and Practices” in the Strategic Management Journal (2018), on “Business Models, Ecosystems, and Society in the Sharing Economy” at the Academy of Management Discoveries (2018), and on “Dispersion of Corporate Headquarters in Contemporary Firms” in the Journal of Management Studies (2017).

As for strategic consulting, Professor Laamanen worked with companies of various industries as chairman, board member, consultant or strategy coach. He was chairman of five companies, including the listed SSH Communications Security Corporation (2002-2009: NASDAQ: SSH) and a board member in five other companies, including Helsinki’s second largest retail bank. Among the companies he worked with are ABB, Aldata Solution Oyj, Alma Media Oyj, Audi AG, Cable & Wireless Plc, Credit Suisse AG, Deltagon Oy, Electrobit Oyj, Elisa Oyj, Eltel Oy, Emtele Oy , Fortum Oyj, Fresenius SE, Forbo AG, Halton Oy, Helsingin OP Pankki Oyj, Honkarakenne Oyj, KPMG Finland and Switzerland, Kesko Oyj, Lemminkäinen Oyj, LähiTapiola, Metso Oyj, Nokia Oyj, Nokia Siemens Networks, Orion Oyj, Ponsse Oyj, Pöyry Oyj, Sanoma Oyj, SSH Communications Security, Teliasonera Oyj, TÜV-SÜD AG, UPM Kymmene Oyj, Wärtsilä Oyj and YIT Oyj.

Particular focus in his applied research was on the Swiss private banking industry. Cooperation with KPMG resulted in seven studies that documented the state of private banking in Switzerland.

Tomi Laamanen is a member of the senior management, a Board Member and Treasurer of the Strategic Management Society. He led two special conferences of the Strategic Management Society (in Lapland and St. Gallen), managed the Strategy Research Fund (SRF), the Strategy Process Interest Group of the Strategic Management Society, and the Strategic Activities and Practices (SAP) Interest Group of the Academy of Management. He is also former Chairman of the Strategic Management Interest Group of the European Academy of Management (2013-2017).

Education

Degree

University
Ph.D. in finance School of Economics & Business, Aalto University, Finland
Ph.D. in strategy School of Science, Department of Management, Aalto University, Finland
M.Sc. in finance School of Economics & Business, Aalto University, Finland
M.Sc. in strategy School of Science, Department of Management, Aalto University, Finland

Work experience

Year

Position

University
2011-2013 Visiting Professor St. Petersburg State University, Russia
1997-2011 Director of the Institute of Management Aalto University, Finland
1997-2011 Professor of the Institute for Strategic Management Aalto University, Finland
2001-2002 Head of Management Department Aalto University, Finland

Awards

Award

Awarding organization
Distinguished Service Award for the role as the chair of the Strategic Management Interest Group European Academy of Management
Distinguished Service Award at the Strategic Management Society Strategic Process Interest Group
Distinguished Service Award for the role as the chair of the Strategizing Activities and Practices Interest Group Academy of Management
Best Teacher Award of the year Aalto Executive Education
Best Teacher Award of the year Department of Industrial Management of the Aalto School of Science of Aalto University
Outstanding Reviewer Awards. Managerial and Organizational Cognition division, the Business Policy and Strategy division, and the Organizational and Management Theory division in multiple years. Academy of Management
Best Paper Runner-Up at the Strategic Management Society Conference Strategic Management Society
Co-Author of several Strategic Management Society PhD Student Best Paper Awards Strategic Management Society

Articles in scientific journals

Weiser, A., Jarzabkowski, P. & Laamanen, T. (2020). Completing the Adaptive Turn: An Integrative View of Strategy Implementation. Academy of Management Annals, 14 (2), 969-1031.
Luoma, J., Laamanen, T. & Lamberg, J. (2020). Toward a routine-based view of interfirm rivalry. Strategic Organization, 1-14.
de Groote, J., Kleindienst, I., Hoegl, M., Schweizer, D. & Laamanen, T. (2019). Similarity perceptions in investor reactions to acquisition announcements. Long Range Planning.
Welch Guerra, X., Pavicevic, S., Keil, T. & Laamanen, T. (2019). The Pre-Deal Phase of Mergers and Acquisitions: A Review and Research Agenda. Journal of Management.
Laamanen, T. (2019). Dynamic attention-based view of corporate headquarters in MNCs. Journal of Organization Design, 8 (16).
Tenhiälä, A. & Laamanen, T. (2018). Right on the Money? The Contingent Effect of Strategic Orientation and Pay System Design on Firm Performance. Strategic Management Journal, 39 (13), 3408-3445.
Burgelman, R., Floyd, S., Laamanen, T., Mantere, S., Vaara, E. & Whittington, R. (2018). Strategy processes and practices: Dialogues and intersection. Strategic management journal, 39 (3), 531-558.
Ocasio, W., Laamanen, T. & Vaara, E. (2018). Communication and attention dynamics: An attention-based view of strategic change. Strategic Management Journal, 39 (1), 155-167.
Bertrand, O., Betschinger, M. & Laamanen, T. (2017). Effects of subnational regional corruption on growth strategies in emerging economies: Evidence from Russian domestic and international M&A activity. Global strategy journal.
Nell, P., Kappen, P. & Laamanen, T. (2017). Reconceptualising Hierarchies: The Disaggregation and Dispersion of Headquarters in Multinational Corporations. Journal of Management Studies, 54 (8), 1121-1143.
Laamanen, T. (2017). Reflecting on the past 50 years of Long Range Planning and a research agenda for the next 50. Long range planning : LRP, 50 (1), 1-7.
Laamanen, T., Lamberg, J. & Vaara, E. (2015). Explanations of Success and Failure in Management Learning: What Can We Learn From Nokia’s Rise and Fall?. Academy of Management learning & education : AMLE, 15 (1), 2-25.
Heimeriks, K., Bingham, C. & Laamanen, T. (2015). Unveiling the Temporally Contingent Role of Codification in Alliance Success. Strategic Management Journal, 36 (3), 462-473.
Brauer, M. & Laamanen, T. (2014). Workforce Downsizing and Firm Performance: An Organizational Routine Perspective. Journal of Management Studies, 51 (8), 1311-1333.
Laamanen, T., Brauer, M. & Junna, O. (2014). Performance of acquirers of divested assets: Evidence from the U.S. software industry. Strategic Management Journal, 35 (6), 914-925.
Laamanen, T. (2013). Is A Counterattack The Best Defense? Competitive Dynamics Through Acquisitions. Long Range Planning, 46 (3), 195-215.
Laamanen, T., Torstila, S. & Simula, T. (2012). Cross-border relocations of headquarters in Europe. Journal of International Business Studies, 2012 (43), 187-210.
Keil, T. & Laamanen, T. (2011). When Rivals Merge, Think Before You Follow Suit. Harvard Business Review, 89 (12), 25-27.
Deutsch, Y., Keil, T. & Laamanen, T. (2011). A Dual Agency View of Board Compensation: The Joint Effects of Outside Director and CEO Stock Options on Firm Risk. Strategic Management Journal, 32 (2), 212-227.
Laamanen, T. & Wallin, J. (2009). Cognitive Dynamics of Capability Development Paths. Journal of management studies : JMS, 46 (6), 950-981.
Kallunki, J., Lämpsä, E. & Laamanen, T. (2009). Stock Market Valuation, Profitability and R&D Spending of the Firm: The Effect of Technology Mergers and Acquisitions. Journal of Business Finance and Accounting, 36 (7-8), 838-862.
Sillanpää, A. & Laamanen, T. (2009). Positive and negative feedback effects in competition for dominance of network business systems. Research Policy, 38 (5), 871-884.
Laamanen, T. & Keil, T. (2008). Performance of serial acquirers: Toward an acquisition program perspective. Strategic Management Journal, 29 (6), 663-672.
Laamanen, T. (2007). On the Role of Acquisition Premium in Acquisition Research. Strategic Management Journal, 28 (13), 1359-1369.
Deutsch, Y., Keil, T. & Laamanen, T. (2007). Decision-Making in Acquisitions: The Effect of Outside Directors’ Compensation on Acquisition Patterns. Journal of Management, 33 (1), 30-56.
Schildt, H. & Laamanen, T. (2006). Who buys whom: information environments and organizational boundary spanning through acquisitions. Strategic Organization, 4 (2), 111-133.
Laamanen, T. (2005). Dependency, Resource Depth, and Supplier Performance During Industry Downturn. Research Policy, 34 (2), 125-140.

Book sections

Vuori, N. & Laamanen, T. (2020). Geographic Roll-Up Acquisition Programs and Their Performance Implication. In Advances in Mergers and Acquisitions. (19, S. 17-32). Emerald Publishing Limited.
Keil, T., Laamanen, T. & Mäkisalo, A. (2012). Acquisitions, Acquisition Programs and Acquisition Capabilities. In The handbook of mergers and acquisitions. (S. 148-167). Oxford University Press.
Schildt, H., Laamanen, T. & Keil, T. (2010). Mergers and Acquisitions as a Response to Intra-Industry Dependence. In Advances in Mergers and Acquisitions. (1st ed, S. 105-133). Emerald.

Monographs

Marckstadt, F., Dimke, M., Laamanen, T., Bian, D., Isenring-Szabó, K., Ates, Y. & Heil, S. (2020). Transformation Champions – Turning Opposites into Complements. Deloitte AG Germany.
Hintermann, C., Cloughesy, K., Rosenast, G., Laamanen, T., Isenring-Szabó, K., Maureau, G. & Ruhstaller, S. (2020). Clarity on Performance of Swiss Private Banks – Crisis as a catalyst for change. KPMG AG Schweiz.
Hintermann, C., Cloughesy, K., Laamanen, T., Isenring-Szabó, K. & Zeidan, J. (2019). Clarity on Performance of Swiss Private Banks – Bigger is better in the quest for success. KPMG AG Schweiz.
Hintermann, C., Cloughesy, K., Rosenast, G., Antes, N., Maureau, G., Martel, D. & Laamanen, T. (2018). Clarity on Performance of Swiss Private Banks – Recovery of a divided industry. KPMG AG Schweiz.
Hintermann, C., Cloughesy, K., Rosenast, G., Antes, N., Erni, G., Laamanen, T. & Bian, D. (2017). Clarity on Performance – Some limited change. Not radical enough.. KPMG AG Schweiz.
Schimmer, M., Laamanen, T., Brunier, F., Meyer, T., Trantopoulos, K., Eichenberger, L. & Centonze, M. (2017). Switzerland’s TOP 500 Fueling Transformational Growth. Accenture.
Hintermann, C., Christe, A., Mammarella, M., Gallmetzer, M., Rosenast, G. & Laamanen, T. (2016). Clarity on Performance of Swiss Private Banks – Further and faster: radical change needed. KPMG AG Schweiz.
Hintermann, C., Christe, A., Venzin, N., Gallmetzer, M., Rosenast, G. & Laamanen, T. (2015). Clarity on Performance of Swiss Private Banks – The widening gap. KPMG AG Schweiz.
Luger, J. & Laamanen, T. (2015). Acquisition Overload: Capacity Limitations and the Distribution of Acquisitions Across Business Units. Universität St. Gallen.
Welch Guerra, X., Laamanen, T., Samanta, A. & Koller, S. (2015). Serial acquirers – Getting your ducks in a row. Deloitte AG.
Laamanen, T., Reuter, E. & Steiger, F. (2015). Turning regulation into value. KPMG AG Schweiz.
Hintermann, C., Christe, A., Rickert, P. & Laamanen, T. (2014). Clarity on Performance of Swiss Private Banks – Success and failure in the ‘new normal’. KPMG AG Schweiz.
Laamanen, T., Schimmer, M. & Reuter, E. (2013). Private Banking Survey 2013: Success Through Innovation : Achieving Sustainability and Client-Centricity in Swiss Private Banking. KPMG Switzerland.
Laamanen, T., Schimmer, M. & Reuter, E. (2012). Performance der Schweizer Privatbanken 2012 : Eine Branche im Wandel. KPMG.
Hintermann, C., Lemann, P., Sack, M., Laamanen, T., Sputtek, R. & Reuter, E. (2012). Performance through focus – Seizing the global private banking opportunity. KPMG AG Schweiz.
Laamanen, T., Reuter, E. & Sputtek, R. (2012). Performance through focus: Seizing the global private banking opportunity; Joint Publication of KPMG and University of St. Gallen. HSG & KPMG (Switzerland).

Other publications

Laamanen, T., Zimmermann, A. & Bian, D. (2019). Composition of Acquisition Sequences: The Effects of Different Types of Acquisition Patterns on Acquirer Performance. SMS 39th Annual Conference.
Gegenhuber, T., Heimstädt, M., Reischauer, G., Splitter, V., Hoffmann, W., Ansari, S. & Laamanen, T. (2019). Digital Strategizing: Crafting Strategy in the Age of Platforms, Ecosystems, and Online Communities.. 79th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM).
Kunisch, S., Laamanen, T., Schulte Steinberg, A. & Ambos, B. (2019). Organizational Practice Adoption in the MNC: A Trait Activation Theory Approach. 79th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM).
Weiser, A. & Laamanen, T. (2019). Tight or Loose – An Integrative Perspective on Organizational Structures of Renewal. 79th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM).
Schmid, T., Kunisch, S. & Laamanen, T. (2018). Emergent Perspectives of Strategic Change: Toward a New Paradigm?. Academy of Management Annual Meeting (AOM) 2018.
Laamanen, T., Zimmermann, A. & Bian, D. (2018). Not all Roads lead to Rome: Different Approaches to Ambidexterity in Acquisition Sequences. Academy of Management Annual Meeting.
Laamanen, T., Maula, M., Kajanto, M. & Kunnas, P. (2018). The role of cognitive load in effective strategic issue management. Elsevier.
Schimmer, M., Laamanen, T., Paul, P., Brunswicker, S. & Visnjic, I. (2014). Performance Effects of Strategic Action Patterns in Rapidly Changing Environments. 34th Strategic Management Society (SMS) Annual International Conference, Chicago.
Reuter, E. & Laamanen, T. (2014). An Integrative Model of Attention Load and Its Roles When Solving Complex Problems in Organizations. 74th Academy of Management Annual Meeting (AOM) 2014 "The Power of Words".
Luger, J., Zimmermann, A. & Laamanen, T. (2013). Strategic Content Designs of Acquisition Streams : Balancing Explorative and Exploitative Acquisitions. 73rd Academy of Management Annual Meeting (AOM) 2013 "Capitalism in Question", New York.
Laamanen, T., Schimmer, M. & Reuter, E. (2013). Strategischer Wandel im Schweizer Private Banking : Eine Transformation im Zeitraffer. KPMG.4-7. Zürich
Hintermann, C., Kühne, I., Laamanen, T. & Schimmer, M. (2013). Performance der Schweizer Privatbanken 2013 : Stabilisierung auf tiefem Niveau. KPMG Switzerland.
Luger, J., Zimmermann, A. & Laamanen, T. (2012). Content Design of Acquisition Streams : Balancing Exploration and Exploitation. 32nd Strategic Management Society (SMS) Annual International Conference, Chicago.
Reuter, E. & Laamanen, T. (2012). Towards an Attentional Capacity Model of Strategic Agenda Size : A Multi-Method Study in the Private Banking Industry. 32nd Strategic Management Society (SMS) Annual International Conference, Chicago.
Laamanen, T., Sputtek, R. & Skurnik, S. (2012). The Effect of Public Sector Context on the Perception of Strategy Execution Challenges. 72nd Academy of Management Annual Meeting (AOM) 2012 "The Informal Economy", Chicago.
Kunisch, S., Laamanen, T., Schulte Steinberg, A. & Ambos, B. . Organizational Practice Adoption in the MNC: A Trait Activation Theory Approach. Academy of Management, Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings.
Kunisch, S., Laamanen, T., Schulte Steinberg, A. & Ambos, B. . Organizational Practice Adoption in the MNC: A Trait Activation Theory Approach. Academy of Management, Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings.

Alexander Wallot
M.Sc.
PhD Candidate, Research Associate

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Di Bian
M.Sc.
PhD student, Research Associate

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+41 71 224 27 56

Erdinc Aras
M.Sc.
PhD student, Research Project Member

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Kata Isenring-Szabó
M.A. ETH UZH
PhD Candidate, Research Associate

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+41 71 224 23 62

Simoné Hättenschwiler
Personal Assistant Prof. Tomi Laamanen

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+41 71 224 30 31

Stephan Ryf
M.A.
PhD Candidate, Research Associate

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+41 71 224 25 07

Xena Welch Guerra
Prof. Dr.
Affiliated Researcher

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+41 71 224 27 95