Study: Frontrunner companies in the twin transition leverage external expertise almost twice as often as others

The research by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health brings new, corporate-level knowledge on how Finnish companies use digital technology to promote ecological sustainability and how they address the environmental impacts of the digital technology. The results help to understand what kinds of practices can promote the twin transition in companies.

"The green transition requires corporate innovation and investments. At the same time, companies can gain a significant competitive advantage if they know how to skilfully combine digital technology and the pursuit of ecological sustainability," says Tuomo Alasoini, Research Professor at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

The Twin Transition and Work survey received responses from 1,691 companies employing at least 10 people. Of these, 548 were categorised as frontrunners of the twin transition, i.e. companies where the use of digital technology and the pursuit of ecological sustainability were most closely linked.

The company’s internal expertise is not always enough to drive change

The clearest factor that distinguished frontrunner companies from others was more diverse networking in development activities. Among the frontrunners, 44 per cent had diverse networks, while the corresponding figure for other companies was 23 per cent.

In the survey, networking meant that the company had utilised the expertise of other actors in developing its own operations during the last two years. These actors included, for example, other companies in the industry, other enterprises in the company’s value or production chain, consultants, universities and authorities.

"When a company develops technology, assesses environmental impact or renews products, services and ways of working, it may need partners outside its own organization. The networking of the frontrunner companies shows that they are also actively seeking competence elsewhere," says Alasoini.

Frontrunners anticipate the future more actively than others

The frontrunner companies were much more likely to engage in strategic foresight than other companies. In the survey, strategic foresight meant that the company assessed what its operations and operating environment could look like in a few years’ time.

According to the study, only 5 per cent of the frontrunner companies carried out no foresight activities or did so only rarely. In other companies, the share was 23 per cent, which is more than four times higher.

There were also differences between the companies in who participated in the foresight activities. In the frontrunner companies, supervisors also often participated extensively in strategic foresight. In other companies, foresight was more often left to the owners or senior management.

However, extensive employee participation was rare, even in the frontrunner companies. Among the frontrunners, 20 per cent of companies reported that their non-managerial employees also participated extensively in foresight activities. In other companies, the corresponding figure was 9 per cent.

"When a company adopts new technology or changes its operations to be more environmentally sustainable, the perspective of everyday work is vitally important. The employees often recognise fairly early what works well, what slows them down and what kind of skills the change requires," says Arja Ala-Laurinaho, Research Manager at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

Learn more about the study

• Read our research report in Julkari (in Finnish): Digisiirtymä ja vihreä siirtymä: yhdessä, vuorovaikutuksessa, osallistavasti?
• The Twin Transition and Work survey, conducted by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and Statistics Finland in 2025, received responses from 1,691 companies employing at least 10 people.
• The survey examined companies’ use of digital technology, taking into account ecological sustainability, networking, strategic foresight and the participation of employees in foresight activities and development.
• Frontrunners of the twin transition were found in companies of all sizes and in all industries. In relative terms, the highest numbers were found in electricity, gas, heating and water services as well as professional, scientific and technical services.
• Study project page: Understanding and supporting the digital and green transition as part of well-being at work

Further information

• Tuomo Alasoini, Research Professor, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, tuomo.alasoini@ttl.fi, +358 50 564 6140
• Arja Ala-Laurinaho, Research Manager, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health,  arja.ala-laurinaho@ttl.fi, +358 40 562 0906