Excerpts from a researcher’s travel journal

Internationality and research visits bring a special flavor to the work of a researcher. This autumn, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit England and Iceland as part of my research on resilience. Both trips opened new perspectives, provided inspiration, and deepened my understanding of the importance of resilience for entrepreneurs.
ryhmäkuva konferenssiosallistujista

England – a deep dive into the world of academic publishing

My first trip took me to the University of Bath in England, where I participated in the Entrepreneurship Academy organized by the Journal of Business Venturing Insights. The course offered a fantastic opportunity to present my research, receive feedback, and engage in discussions with other doctoral researchers. However, the most significant aspect was diving deep into the world of academic publishing alongside the journal's editors, gaining a better understanding of the publication process and identifying interesting research themes, to name just a few highlights.

It was also inspiring to exchange ideas about entrepreneurship and to hear what topics are being studied in different parts of the world. Current themes include, for example, the green transition from the perspective of entrepreneurs, digitalization, changes in consumer behavior, startups and ecosystems, entrepreneurial well-being, trust, social entrepreneurship, business financing, and many others.

Spending a week in the historical and beautiful setting of Bath also provided opportunities to reflect on my research and the post-doctoral phase from a broader perspective. Discussions with other researchers raised new questions and helped deepen my thinking: What unique insights or contributions does my research bring? Should I dare to explore an emerging phenomenon that is still in its infancy and lacks a robust theoretical foundation? It was also particularly rewarding to receive constructive feedback and explore potential collaboration ideas for the future. Traveling a bit farther from home allows you to see your own work more clearly.

Iceland – exploring arctic resilience

My second destination was the Reykjavik area in Iceland, where I conducted interviews with entrepreneurs on the topic of Arctic resilience. I was hosted by the University of Iceland’s School of Business. Being on-site provided me with a tangible connection to how local entrepreneurs survive and thrive in a demanding operating environment. Networks, an outward-looking orientation toward international markets, and a mindset focused on opportunities play a critical role. In several interviews, it became clear that relying solely on the domestic market is insufficient; from the very beginning, entrepreneurs must identify market opportunities globally. Due to logistical costs of products, competing solely on price is not feasible, so value must be created through innovations and product features. One example is the Icelandic company Kerecis, which uses fish skin for treating human wounds and burns.

I found it particularly inspiring to experience the openness and interest with which the entrepreneurs participated in the interviews. I felt that they were eager to share their stories, experiences, and insights about how resilience manifests in the Arctic context within their business operations. One aspect of resilience, for example, is leveraging strengths, as exemplified by the country’s tourism industry. It has quietly grown into Iceland’s largest sector. Another example of Arctic resilience could be maintaining a solution-focused attitude, utilizing networks, and thinking big enough to seek markets beyond one’s home country. It could be said that there are many similarities between Finnish sisu (grit) and the Icelandic mindset. I will continue conducting interviews from Finland. These interviews will form the basis of a research paper titled “The Geography and Context of Resilience: Exploring Entrepreneurial Resilience in the Arctic.”

Research travels are the highlights of academic work

Conference trips and research exchanges are much more than short visits to a new country or culture. They are unique opportunities to delve deeper into one’s research, gain new ideas, and meet new people and fellow researchers. This autumn’s visits to Iceland and England have greatly enriched both my academic and personal journey. For me, they represent one of the most rewarding aspects of being a researcher. These trips provided new tools and perspectives to continue exploring resilience and broader themes of entrepreneurship, both as a researcher and as a coach.

Author:
Santeri Halonen, MSc (Econ.), doctoral researcher at the University of Oulu’s Kerttu Saalasti Institute, Micro-Entrepreneurship Centre MicroENTRE®.

Photo: Rodrigo Frias