IEM Researchers Presented Three Studies at ISPIM 2026 in Granada, Spain

Researchers from the Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) Unit at Tampere University, particularly from the Center for Innovation and Technology Research (CITER) research group, participated in the 2026 ISPIM Innovation Conference, “Connecting for Innovation,” held in Granada, Spain, on 7–10 June 2026.

The conference started on Sunday, 7 June, with Special Interest Group meetings, workshops, a Junior Researcher Lab, a walking tour of Granada, and a welcome meet and greet for delegates. The main conference program opened on Monday morning with official welcomes, keynote talks on artificial intelligence and collaboration, conference awards, and interactive sessions. Over the following days, participants took part in research sessions, industry case discussions, workshops, panels, and networking events. The conference finished on Wednesday, 10 June, with final research sessions, lunch, innovation tours, and the formal conference close.

The IEM Unit contributed to the conference with three accepted presentations on artificial intelligence, circular construction, circular economy, and circular innovation.

The first presentation, Artificial Intelligence in Circular Construction: A Systematic Literature Review, was presented by Alireza Safarpour, Professor Leena Aarikka-Stenroos, and Eetu Lehmusvaara. The study, co-authored with Kjartan Gudmundsson and Arlind Dervishaj from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, reviewed 222 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2025. It examined how artificial intelligence techniques, including machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing, can support circular construction strategies such as lifetime extension, resource recovery, resource efficiency, and circular design.

The second presentation, Roadmapping: Transformative Strategic Tool for Diverse Actors in Circular Construction, was presented by Eetu Lehmusvaara and co-authored with Professor Leena Aarikka-Stenroos. The study focused on how roadmaps can support circular development in the construction industry. Using participatory action research, it developed a strategic roadmap for concrete element reuse and proposed a design-based framework for roadmap development.

The third presentation, Imitation Enabling Circular Innovations: Four Strategies and a Framework, was presented by Matias Pajarre and co-authored with Leena Aarikka-Stenroos and Petja Paananen. The study explored how imitation can support circular innovation. Based on a qualitative multiple case study, it identified four strategies through which companies use existing resources in new ways to develop circular solutions.

The participation reflects the active role of the IEM Unit and its CITER research group in international discussions on innovation, artificial intelligence, circular economy, and sustainable development.