Master Thesis - Creating a learning organization

CREATING A LEARNING ORGANIZATION: FOSTERING A CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS LEARNING, CURIOSITY AND DEVELOPMENT

BACKGROUND

Organizations continuously generate and acquire valuable knowledge through everyday operations, projects, risk management, lessons learned and interactions with the world around them. However, becoming a learning organization requires more than capturing and sharing past experiences. It also requires a culture where people are curious, actively seek new knowledge, challenge existing ways of working and continuously look for opportunities to develop themselves and the organization.

Organizational learning therefore depends both on structures and processes that enable knowledge to be captured and shared, and on a culture and mindset that encourage continuous learning, reflection, experimentation and development. The challenge is to understand how these different elements can be brought together and embedded into everyday ways of working. Academic research on organizational learning, learning culture, knowledge management and change can provide a foundation for understanding how organizations can create the conditions for learning to happen in practice.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this thesis is to explore how an organization can create the conditions for continuous learning, curiosity and development, and embed these into everyday ways of working. The study should investigate how existing sources of organizational learning, such as lessons learned, risk management and incident reporting, can be better connected and translated into knowledge that is shared and applied across the organization.

The thesis should also explore how to foster a culture and mindset where employees are motivated to seek new knowledge, share insights, question established practices and contribute to the continuous development of the organization. The study should examine the cultural, behavioral and organizational factors that enable or hinder such learning, including the role of leadership, incentives, structures and ways of working.

Based on academic research and an assessment of Fortum Hydro’s current practices and culture, the thesis should propose a practical framework and recommended actions for how continuous learning and development can be systematically facilitated and embedded across the organization.

OUR OFFER

At Fortum we see a Thesis Project as a good way to get to know you during your study time and for you to learn more about Fortum and how our business is working. A Supervisor will be appointed to support and guide you through the Thesis Project and you will also create a network of people within the Company as well as with other Students doing their Thesis with us. 

For a well performed and approved work, we will provide a taxable award.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

The master’s thesis can be adapted for one or two students. We are looking for master’s students in engineering, economics, business administration, industrial management, or a related field. You should have an interest in organizational learning, knowledge sharing, change management, and organizational culture, and in understanding how structures, processes, leadership and behaviors can enable continuous learning.

We value strong analytical skills and an ability to combine academic research with practical organizational challenges, translating findings into actionable frameworks and recommendations.

The Project shall be performed in English. We expect you to be analytical, energetic and able to work independently. You like challenges and are interested in solving complicated problems.

INTERESTED?

To apply, register your CV and a personal letter of maximum one page in our Recruitment Tool via “Apply now”, latest by 20th November 2026. Applications will be evaluated continuously and an applicant may be on-boarded before this date.

The personal letter must include an approach on how you would like to investigate the idea. Mark your application with the reference number HYG-181.

If you have general questions about theses or internships at Fortum, please address those to fortumcareers@fortum.com.

Please note that we have more Master Thesis Projects open for application at our recruitment site.

SCHEDULE

To be performed during the Spring Semester 2027.

VENUE

At Fortum Hydro’s office in Solna/Stockholm. Remote work is also possible yet not preferred.

We are Fortum
Fortum is a Nordic energy company. We generate and deliver reliable energy to our customers and the Nordic energy system while at the same time helping industries decarbonise their processes and grow. Our core operations comprise efficient and best-in-class low-carbon power generation, customer services, and heating and cooling. Fortum’s power generation is already 99% from renewable or nuclear sources with one of the lowest specific CO2-emissions in Europe. We are guided by our ambitious SBTi-validated emission reduction targets on our way towards net-zero by 2040. For our ~4,500 employees, we commit to be a safe and inspiring workplace. Fortum's share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. fortum.com