Mr. Jukka-Pekka Bergman, professor and director of the research centre NORDI at Lappeeranta University of Technology. His educational background is D.Sc. (Tech.), M.Sc. (Knowledge Management), B.Sc. (Engineering) and MA (Translation and Linguistics in Russian language). Before the present position, he worked as research fellow at the Technology Business Research Center of the Lappeenranta University of Technology. He has also worked as a managing director of the Lappeenranta Innovation Ltd. and performed as an entrepreneur in construction business. His main research interests are in strategic management, innovation management and also in Russian related business research.

Jouni Koivuniemi is associate professor at the Faculty of Technology Management and project manager at Northern Dimension Research Centre, both located at Lappeenranta University of Technology. His educational background is Dr.Sc. (Tech.). Before the present positions he worked as development manager at the Technology Business Research Centre at the Lappeenranta University of Technology. His current research interests are innovation management with emphasis on the early phases of new business development and industry transformation with emphasis on cross-industry cooperation.

Vladimir Platonov is professor of Management Accounting and Management of Innovations at St. Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance (Finec). He has been named as "Finec’s teacher of the year”. His educational background includes degrees of Dr.Sc (Economics), Ph.D. (Economics), and MA (Economics and Management of R&D and Design). He worked for KPMG Barents L.L.C., was director for research in Russian Center for Analysis and Monitoring of Innovation Activities in Higher Education, and was partner in consultancy firm. Mr. Platonov is the author of 8 books and a number of research papers. His current research interests are innovations and corporate transformation, networks and performance management.

Jan Edelmann, researcher in NORDI research centre and a doctorate student in The School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology. His main research areas are: the strategic management of innovations and strategic options approaches. Finalizing his doctoral thesis: "Experiences in using a structured method in finding and defining innovations: the strategic options approach”. Past experience: worked as consultant in the management consulting.

Jukka Lempiäinen, master student specializing in Knowledge Management in the Department of Industrial Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology. In this project he is doing the Master`s thesis relating to business model analyzing. He has a long history as entrepreneur and area manager. His main interest can be captured to the question "How organization can create sustainable competitive advantage in the dynamic environment?”.

Kyllikky Taipale-Erävala, doctorate student in Industrial Management Department, Lappeenranta University of Technology. Her educational background is M.Sc. (Industrial Management), Engineer (Mechanical Engineering). Her research interests are: accumulation of knowledge, innovation of SMEs in international activities. Her own entrepreneurial background includes experience in engineering, business, tourism and educational areas.

Hannu Virkkunen, doctorate student in Industrial Management Department, Lappeenranta University of Technology. He is an SME-entrepreneur with a wide-ranging experience in domestic and foreign corporate functions and duties on various specialist positions in the construction and engineering projects. He dedicates himself and has a stake in companies that have a key practice in knowledge area in addition to expert information and consultancy.