Professor Aki Jääskeläinen: supply chain management enhances the performance and sustainability of industrial production

Tampere UniversityThe cornerstone of industrial engineering and management is to ensure that industrial processes run smoothly and without generating unnecessary waste. This is also the key to sustainability,” says Professor Aki Jääskeläinen. Photo: Jonne Renvall/Tampereen yliopisto
Industrial production increasingly relies on global supply chains, even for domestic manufacturers. Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Aki Jääskeläinen conducts research that addresses the needs of both businesses and society. His research on procurement and supplier information management supports competitive and sustainable industrial production.

As modern companies streamline their core operations, they are dependent on external suppliers and partners. However, as supply chains become more globally dispersed, significant challenges emerge: how can companies address environmental concerns and ensure social sustainability, such as maintaining fair working conditions worldwide? 

Professor Aki Jääskeläinen highlights the role of supply chain management (SCM) in ensuring that products are manufactured and delivered efficiently, sustainably and economically. By optimising their supply chains, companies aim to uphold the principles of ethical procurement and reduce the environmental impact of their operations, among other goals.

‘Company success is becoming increasingly reliant on effective supplier networks and relationships. As the number of suppliers grows, the volume of data about them also expands substantially,’ notes Jääskeläinen. 

Jääskeläinen, who was appointed as a Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management at Tampere University in December 2024, is looking to help companies find more effective methods for supplier information management. Jääskeläinen’s current top priority is the AI-Driven Renewal of Business and Supplier Information Management (AI-SIM) consortium, which he leads.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of information management in supply chains. The AI-SIM project explores AI-based digital applications and methods to renew networked business, with intelligent supplier information management being a key component.

According to Professor Jääskeläinen, the AI-SIM project was initiated to address the challenges companies faced in acquiring supply chain information. Companies need tools to manage unexpected situations in the supply chain, which requires a combination of quantitative and qualitative data sources.

The AI-SIM project primarily focuses on the better utilisation of qualitative information. In particular, the project delves into Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology. Weak signals related to supplier networks are detected from textual content with the help of AI.

‘Companies need a better understanding of what changes in the supplier network mean for their business. We investigate, for example, how AI can extract information from information streams about working conditions or ownership changes on the other side of the globe. Unexpected events in the supplier network cannot be monitored solely by keeping up with daily news.’ 

The project also involves company partners that participate in envisioning how this new technology can be transformed into practical business benefits. The consortium consists of Tampere University’s Industrial Engineering and Management Unit, the TurkuNLP research group at the University of Turku, and three companies (AGCO-Power, Sievo and Integrata). The project is supported by co-innovation funding provided by Business Finland.

Professor Aki Jääskeläinen: supply chain management enhances the performance and sustainability of industrial production

Professor Aki Jääskeläinen from Tampere University highlights the importance of supply chain management in enhancing the performance and sustainability of industrial production. His research focuses on procurement and supplier information management, particularly through the AI-Driven Renewal of Business and Supplier Information Management (AI-SIM) consortium, which aims to address challenges in acquiring and managing supply chain information using AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP).