Our specific aim is to analyze how the experiences of GenZ entrepreneurs from early-stage service companies (i.e., new digital service startups with up to 50 employees, and that are in the initial stage of development, with less than 10 years of operation) are related to the assumptions of the empirically based stages of growth literature.
During the first three weeks, I had meetings and contacts with colleagues, potential partners, and interviewees for the research data collection; worked on the other joint projects we have; and started discussions on new possible paths for our cooperation.
I also attended a Staff Seminar in Rokua with the University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute team. We had a lot of activities in two days! During the first workshop, we learned and practiced a lot about how to use social media to boost our research and results. We also had a live online meeting with Soili Vasikainen, Education Counsellor, Ministry of Education and Culture Government to research and education, bringing us messages of the Programme of Prime Minister Orpo’s Government to research and education.
We had other workshops, group discussions and presentations, results, goals, and planning for the next year at the University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute completing our schedule in Rokua as well. It was an amazing experience to participate with the team and help build a strong plan for next year.
Besides collecting data for our joint research, during this time I am also attending some interesting events at University of Oulu and Kerttu Saalasti Institute; taking Finnish language lessons; and presenting a Seminar about our joint research and cooperation – that has been active and fruitful for five years now.
This is my third time in Finland. I am very glad to revisit some of my favorite places and spend some time with dear colleagues and friends I made here throughout these years.
Writer: Veronica Freitas de Paula, PhD., Visiting Researcher, University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute and Associate Professor, Universidade Federal de Uberlandia (UFU, Brazil)
In Kerttu Saalasti Institute's blog we write about the topics of the Institute's research groups, micro entrepreneurship education and the Institute's general topics. The authors are researchers, experts and members of networks.
Our topics are: micro entrenepreneurship, future manufacturing technologies, regional excellence, micro entrepreneurship education