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Digital Business Research Group

The Digital Business Research Group supports companies in their digital transformation and competitiveness.

We develop customer-centric and responsible digital solutions in collaboration with businesses, research, and education.

Projects
DIHeSavo
Contact us

We help companies keep pace with digital development.

Your Partner in Digital Transformation

We help micro and small to medium-sized enterprises harness the opportunities offered by digitalization: from new business models and customer experience development to data utilization, technology pilots, and service design. Our goal is to support companies through every stage of digitalization, from ideation to commercialization.

How You Benefit

  • Support for developing new business models and services
  • Enhanced competitiveness through data and technology
  • Improved digital skills among staff through coaching and training

How We Work

We collaborate closely with businesses, research, and education. We implement projects, pilots, and training programs that deliver concrete results and strengthen regional, national, and international innovation ecosystems.

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Results

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A Digital Innovation Hub Was Created to Accelerate Business Digitalization

The establishment of a Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) in South Savo has introduced a new collaborative platform that supports companies in their digital transformation.

The operating model and service package developed in the project offer a one-stop-shop for technology testing, business development, funding advice, and networking opportunities.

The DIH brings together regional companies and experts, strengthening competence and competitiveness.

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Digital Steps Enhanced Entrepreneurs’ Digital Skills

The project aimed to support the development of digital business in SMEs and promote the use of digital applications. It also sought to boost the growth of regional e-commerce in domestic markets and expand into international markets.

The actions taken improved companies’ capacity for change, particularly by increasing customer insight.

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Projects

Digital Economy

INKA – Strengthening SMEs’ Innovation and Growth Potential in Internationalizing Ecosystems

Hankkeen keskeisenä toimenpiteenä on luoda ylimaakunnallinen, yrityksille helppokäyttöinen innovaatiosilta (innovation corridor), joka…
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Digital Economy

Sustainable Entrepreneurship from Experienced Experts aged 50+ (50+ KoKo)

The project will support continuous learning and career extension for people over…
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Kuvan keskellä joki, jonka pakopisteen takana näkyy vuori. Ympärillä vihreää ruohoa.
Digital Economy

KymiCatalyst – Local solutions for global challenges

KymiCatalyst is a development project implemented by South-Eastern Finland University of Applied…
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Digital Economy

EESpäin Innovations Project

The goal is ecosystemically functioning innovation services that enable the development of…
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INNOCOM – Supporting the commercialization of innovations

INNOCOM-hanke selvittää, miten pk-yritysten innovaatioden kaupallistamista voitaisiin parhaiten tukea. Tunnistettujen innovaatipotentiaalisten yritysten…
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Digital Economy

South Savo Digital Innovation Hub

Accelerating the digital transformation of regional SMEs and public organizations with one-stop…
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Find more projects

DIH eSAVO

The South Savo Digital Innovation Hub (DIH eSavo) supports the digitalisation of enterprises in South Savo through a one-stop-shop approach. Our clients include companies in the region as well as digital developers across various sectors. By joining the DIH eSavo Hub, you can strengthen your business development in multiple ways. Membership is free of charge.

On the DIH eSavo website, you will find research and development (R&D) environments that promote digitalisation, as well as projects, events, and a range of services provided by South Savo companies.

Website

Services

DIH ESAVO HUB

INITIAL ASSESMENT

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

PROJECT ADVISORY

Current news

Personal story

Pasi Karppinen to Strengthen Xamk’s Digital Economy Research 

Pasi Karppinen, PhD, Adjunct Professor, has been appointed Principal Researcher for the Digital Economy focus area at Xamk. He started in the role in April,…
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Mikkeli city from the air.
News

Aalto University establishes a professorship of practice position in data economy in cooperation with Xamk

The new professorship strengthens the collaboration between Aalto University and South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences. It brings data economy expertise to Mikkeli to support…
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Experience

From Screens to Scenes – INACS team on the road in Latvia and Estonia

In mid-October 2025, the INACS project team gathered for a three-day cross-border workshop trip to Latvia and Estonia. The goal was to strengthen collaboration clarify…
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Group of people.
News

Digital Archiving Futures event in Mikkeli sparked great interest among information management experts

More than 400 experts from libraries, archives, and museums participated in the international event held at the beginning of September. There were over a hundred…
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Our work in pictures

Naisellä päässään Xamk uXlabin silmälasien muotoinen katseentunnistuskamera.
Yrittäjiä työpajassa istumassa läppäreineen pöydän ääressä.
Tulevaisuudentutkija Risto Linturi pitää esitystä.
Ihmisiä kuuntelemassa esitystä
Mies pitää kättään dronen päällä, joka on pöydällä. Ihmisiä katsoo dronea dronen takaa.
Ihmisiä työpajassa pöydän äärellä. Nainen selittää käsillään.
Mies käyttää VR-laseja ja ohjaimia.
Naisellä päässään Xamk uXlabin silmälasien muotoinen katseentunnistuskamera.
Yrittäjiä työpajassa istumassa läppäreineen pöydän ääressä.
Tulevaisuudentutkija Risto Linturi pitää esitystä.
Ihmisiä kuuntelemassa esitystä
Mies pitää kättään dronen päällä, joka on pöydällä. Ihmisiä katsoo dronea dronen takaa.
Ihmisiä työpajassa pöydän äärellä. Nainen selittää käsillään.
Mies käyttää VR-laseja ja ohjaimia.

Contact us

Phone
+358406486617
Email
Helena.Merikoski@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Helena Merikoski
Head of Research Group
+358406486617
Helena.Merikoski@xamk.fi
Phone
+358405025071
Email
Sami.Jantunen@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Sami Jantunen
Research Manager
+358405025071
Sami.Jantunen@xamk.fi
Phone
+358405963533
Email
Timo.Partala@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Timo Partala
Research Manager
+358405963533
Timo.Partala@xamk.fi
Phone
+358406280901
Email
Anna-Maija.Kiukas@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Anna-Maija Kiukas
Project Manager
+358406280901
Anna-Maija.Kiukas@xamk.fi
Phone
+358401839330
Email
Anna.Ollanketo@xamk.fi
Social media
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
  • Project management and administration
  • International network and stakeholder collaboration
  • Project communication and impact support
  • Digital business and customer-oriented services
  • Collaboration within the Digital Commerce Finland ecosystem
  • Archives, information management and the use of artificial intelligence
  • Project Manager of the ArchXAI project
Anna Ollanketo
Project Manager
+358401839330
Anna.Ollanketo@xamk.fi
Social media
Phone
+358504703786
Email
Jorma.Pohtola@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Jorma Pohtola
RDI Specialist
+358504703786
Jorma.Pohtola@xamk.fi
Phone
+358405697899
Email
Maisa.Kantanen@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Maisa Kantanen
Project Manager
+358405697899
Maisa.Kantanen@xamk.fi
Phone
+358401839467
Email
Juha.Ojala@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Juha Ojala
Lecturer,Software Architect
+358401839467
Juha.Ojala@xamk.fi
Phone
+358401936490
Email
Tommi.Kuukkanen@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Tommi Kuukkanen
RDI Specialist
+358401936490
Tommi.Kuukkanen@xamk.fi
Phone
+358504620201
Email
Juho.Kyynarainen@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Juho Kyynäräinen
RDI Specialist
+358504620201
Juho.Kyynarainen@xamk.fi
Phone
+358504385736
Email
Jari.Handelberg@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Jari Handelberg
Project Manager
+358504385736
Jari.Handelberg@xamk.fi
Phone
+358504385737
Email
Elena.Mochnikova@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Elena Mochnikova
Project Manager
+358504385737
Elena.Mochnikova@xamk.fi
Phone
+358505725305
Email
Jani.Miettinen@xamk.fi
Department
muut ulkopuoliset
Jani Miettinen
+358505725305
Jani.Miettinen@xamk.fi
Phone
+358504635862
Email
Saara.Pylvanainen@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia

My work at Xamk:

I am responsible for the communication and marketing of the project: writing newsletters, creating social media content, running paid advertising, and designing visual materials. My goal is to reach and inspire entrepreneurs in the South Savo region to develop their digital skills.

Areas of expertise:

  • Content Marketing – Planning and executing newsletters, social media content, and campaigns.
  • Customer-Centric Approach – My aim is to identify customer needs and highlight the aspects of the project that are meaningful to them.
  • Visual Communication – Creating graphic materials using Canva.
Saara Pylvänäinen
RDI Specialist
+358504635862
Saara.Pylvanainen@xamk.fi
Phone
+358404869649
Email
Marianne.Heikkinen@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Marianne Heikkinen
Lecturer,Project Manager
+358404869649
Marianne.Heikkinen@xamk.fi
Phone
+358505986860
Email
Niko.Laurila@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Niko Laurila
RDI Specialist
+358505986860
Niko.Laurila@xamk.fi
Phone
+358404875111
Email
Johanna.Koponen@xamk.fi
Social media
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia

I am currently working as a project manager on the data classification implementation project until the end of October 2026.

Before my current position, I worked at Xamk as a project manager in entrepreneurship and innovation projects and as an expert in a project related to work ability management.

 

Area of expertise:

  • Determined and productive approach to work
  • Effective and results-producing project management and leadership skills
  • Data classification, entrepreneurship and innovations skills
  • A hard-working builder of networks and business collaboration

 

Johanna Koponen
Project Manager
+358404875111
Johanna.Koponen@xamk.fi
Social media
Phone
+358405380961
Email
Niko.Arola@xamk.fi
Social media
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Address
Patteristonkatu 3 D, 50100 Mikkeli

Projektipäällikkö INNOCOM ja Myyntivimma -hankkeissa. Kasvukillan aktivaattori

Niko Arola
Project Manager
+358405380961
Niko.Arola@xamk.fi
Social media
Phone
+358503580425
Email
Sami.Hamalainen@xamk.fi
Department
Digitaalisen tiedonhallinnan tutk.keskus Digitalia
Sami Hämäläinen
Software Designer
+358503580425
Sami.Hamalainen@xamk.fi