PhD, Adjunct Professor Sanna-Mari Renfors works as a Principal Lecturer at Lapland University of Applied Sciences in Responsibility in Business and Services Expertise Group.

The new MBA programme in Strategic Leadership and Business Transformation for Sustainable Futures provides managers and experts competencies needed to shape the future of business, society, and planet.

Building Resilient Organisations in an Uncertain World

The business environment has perhaps never been as complex as it is today. As political, economic, and societal fragmentation continues to reshape the global landscape, a period of heightened uncertainty and disruption is expected in the coming years (World Economic Forum, 2026). Exceeding planetary boundaries destabilises Earth’s life-support systems, creating cascading environmental, economic, and social risks that threaten the foundations of human well-being and prosperity. At the same time, technological advancements are creating unprecedented opportunities alongside new risks.

In this era, leadership must evolve beyond traditional approaches focused on short-term performance and maintaining stability toward a more resilient and systemic form of leadership. Leaders must move beyond managing individual change initiatives and develop the capabilities needed to guide continuous organisational transformation. Therefore, the question is no longer whether organisations need to transform, but how can leaders successfully guide that transformation (McKinsey & Company, 2026).

These challenges cannot be solved simply by improving existing ways of thinking and doing. This is where post-growth and systems thinking becomes relevant. It encourages organisations to move beyond a narrow focus on economic growth and consider broader forms of value creation, including social well-being, ecological sustainability, and long-term resilience (Fanning & Raworth, 2025). Simultaneously, organisations need systemic innovation that rethinks business models, value chains, and organisational practices.

New MBA Programme as a Response

The new Master’s Programme in Strategic Leadership and Business Transformation for Sustainable Futures hasbeen designed to help professionals respond to these challenges. This English-language MBA is a flexible, part-time master’s level programme delivered online by Lapland University of Applied Sciences.

Starting in August 2027, the MBA programme prepares graduates to act as strategic leaders, transformation managers, and innovation drivers. It is suitable for professionals and managers working in business, public organisations, and civil society alike. Upon graduation, students will be equipped to lead organisations through uncertainty, implement impactful transformation initiatives, and create long-term value for business, society, and the planet.

Develop the Competencies Required for the Future of Work

The MBA programme focuses on a range of highly relevant themes, including strategic leadership, futures thinking, systems thinking, innovation, alternative economic models, and business transformation. In addition, AI-supported tools are integrated throughout the curriculum, reflecting their growing role in how organisations operate, innovate, and make decisions.

By participating in the MBA programme, students will develop competencies to:

  • make and justify strategic decisions in complex and uncertain environments.
  • combine strategic analysis with economic logic and implications.
  • apply alternative economic strategies and business models that align business success with societal and planetary well-being.
  • lead transformation and innovation initiatives using systems thinking.
  • apply futures thinking and foresight in strategic decision-making.

The future will be shaped by leaders who can anticipate emerging developments, understand interconnected systems, and transform challenges into opportunities. If you aspire to lead organisations through uncertainty and transformation, this MBA programme will help you develop the competencies needed.

References

Fanning, A. L., & Raworth, K. (2025). Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries monitors a world out of balance. Nature, 646(8083), 47–56. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09385-1

McKinsey & Company. (2026). The State of Organizations 2026. https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/business%20functions/people%20and%20organizational%20performance/our%20insights/the%20state%20of%20organizations/2026/the-state-of-organizations-2026.pdf

World Economic Forum. (2026). Global Risks Report 2026. https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Risks_Report_2026.pdf