Researchers

Tiina Leino (UVA)

Tiina Leino
Doctoral Student
Tiina Leino

Seconded from the University of Vaasa (Finland) to ISCN Gmbh (Austria)

2 months, Spring 2022

I am a PhD researcher from the School of Management at University of Vaasa, Finland. My research focuses on different forms of leadership, e.g. collectivistic and informal leadership, especially in relation to expertize, competencies, and strategic approach. In other words, I have plunged into the practices, behaviors, and conditions of getting the job done.

Tiina’s secondment experience:

She was seconded to ISCN (Graz, Austria) for two months in Spring 2022, and here she shares her experience with us:

  • Why did you decide to go on a secondment?

As I planned my OpenInnoTrain research visit, I had several hopes for it. First, of course, I wanted to gain international experience in research environments, and thus gain new kinds of opportunities and prospects for my career. Secondly, my goal was to get to know the companies, universities and people in an other country. Third, I had a desire to conduct my own research on informal leadership.

  • What are the main research topics that you worked on during your secondment?

Regarding my own research on informal leadership and collective leadership, I aimed at having discussions and feedback around it. I was able to give a guest lecture on it, and it led to further discussions and connections. All in all, I gained new insights and research ideas during the secondment.

  • Why did you decide to visit ISCN?

I was intrigued by their vast collaboration with the industrial partners. My research has a focus on how expert knowledge is utilised in organisations in the context of changing forms of working and leading. Thus, ISCN and its network provided me a great community in which to conduct research and learn from industry.

  • What was the most valuable thing you took from your secondment?

The biggest takeaway from the secondment was the meaning of people and encounters. Discussions with different people from different organisations as well as the students of Graz University of Technology were interesting and broadening.

  • Why would you recommend to go on secondment? 

I warmly recommend secondments in general and of course to Graz! The entity provided is interesting, people are nice and cooperative, and Graz is a pleasant city. Overall, I embarked with a very open mind and I responded to the suggestions ‘yes’, which I warmly recommend. Saying ‘yes’ leads you to a wide variety of encounters with different people from different organizations, doing research, giving lectures and having a nice free time. The visit brought contacts to researchers and industrial representatives in Graz and even more widely in Austria and Europe. I believe these will be of mutual benefit and joy in the future.

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