The specialisation gives the students breadth and depth through coursework on topical, relevant issues tailored to address critical issues facing the seafood industry today and in future.
Associate Professor and Program Head Steffen Juranek
NHH with Seafood industry initiative
Seafood export figures went through the roof in 2021, beating all previous records. One of our key future-oriented industries needs research-based relevant knowledge to continue its development.
In the record year 2021, Norway exported 3.1 million tonnes of seafood worth NOK 120.8 billion. Records were set for salmon, king crab, snow crab and mackerel, according to figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council. In the past decade, the value of exports has more than doubled from NOK 47.7 billion in 2012 to NOK 120.8 billion in 2021.
‘Seafood is a global industry in which Norway leads the field in many areas. That is why the Executive MBA with specialisation in Seafood Management is an important contribution to the development of expertise across the industry,’ says NHH Rector Øystein Thøgersen.
He continues:
‘It is essential for NHH to have study programmes that utilise our unique Norwegian and Scandinavian strengths in international programmes. NHH’s Seafood programme is a perfect example.’
Practical knowledge
‘Sustainable innovation is becoming an increasingly important success factor in a highly competitive international environment,’ the Rector underlines.
Sustainable value creation and internationalisation are overarching topics in all our programmes, and are especially relevant in this programme. The internationalisation aspect is obvious in the seafood industry, and the same goes for sustainability. Many dimensions of the concept of sustainability, as we know it from the UN Sustainable Development Goals, are relevant and incorporated throughout the programme.
‘We are a business school, and it is natural for business schools to interact with the business sector, public institutions and society at large. It is therefore our mission to offer study programmes of relevance to different industries,’ says Thøgersen.
Challenges require new knowledge
The EMBA with specialisation in Seafood Management aims to qualify people for managerial positions in the seafood industry and related sectors by giving them in-depth knowledge and expertise across important areas such as economics, strategy, management, marketing, finance and accounting.
‘The industry is growing and is of great significance to Norway and the rest of the world. It plays a key role in achieving sustainable food production,’ says Associate Professor and programme coordinator Steffen Juranek at NHH Executive.
Who is the programme’s target group?
‘Anyone who works in the seafood industry or who indirectly has dealings with the industry,’ he says, adding:
‘The programme will give the participants a general MBA with a strong focus on the challenges and possibilities facing the seafood industry. Innovation, sustainability and globalisation are therefore recurring topics throughout the programme. The specialisation gives the students breadth and depth through coursework on topical, relevant issues tailored to address critical issues facing the seafood industry today and in future.’
The best NHH has to offer
Through this programme, NHH will create new arenas for international knowledge exchange.
‘The programme has an international range, and we aim to attract a diverse groups of international students. We will thereby create links between the seafood industry in Norway and abroad,’ he says, before concluding:
‘The industry needs this programme for two reasons: Firstly, there is the network-building and resulting exchange of knowledge. Secondly, the EMBA with specialisation in Seafood Management is a programme with a sound academic basis and very high applied relevance, which NHH is known for offering to a range of different industries. The participants will be introduced to recent research and relevant knowledge that they can use to resolve the challenges facing the industry.’
What will the industry be dealing with in the years ahead?
‘Among other things, the EMBA with specialisation in Seafood Management deals with initiating and leading innovation processes, for example when it comes to tackling production challenges such as salmon lice and becoming capable of moving production from the coast further out to sea to increase the production volume.’
Experience results in useful discussions
NHH Executive offers a wide range of executive programmes for employees of Norwegian enterprises in the public as well as the private sector. The design of new programmes is carried out in close consultation with the business sector.
‘The Executive MBA with specialisation in Seafood Management was developed by NHH at the request of the seafood industry through the NCE Seafood Innovation Cluster. The programme is tailored to address the seafood industry’s challenges when it comes to developing sustainable, innovative businesses for future growth,’ says Kristin Aarefjord Stave, programme developer at NHH Executive.
She continues:
‘The programme enables the participants to make better decisions in an industry characterised by globalisation, fierce competition and increasing requirements of capacity for change and innovation.’
What previous knowledge is required to apply for admission to the programme?
‘Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent higher education, in addition to relevant work experience. The combination of work experience, previous education and new knowledge from NHH is what makes the programme relevant for seafood industry players,’ Arefjord Stave concludes.