More Women in Economics – But Do They Reach the Top?
Women are underrepresented in the field of economics, especially at the professor level. `However, NHH has over 50 percent female PhD candidates. That bodes well for the future,´ says Malin Arve.
NHH Explores Social Sustainability at SHE Conference
What happens when CEOs must balance the demands of shareholders, boards, and society? NHH Professor Therese Egeland joins Gjensidige CEO Geir Holmgren and others at the SHE Conference to explore leadership and ownership dilemmas.
And how does ownership structure—whether public, private, or foundation-based—shape their ability to lead? What can research say about how CEOs manage tensions between shareholders, boards, and other stakeholders, and how different ownership forms influence strategic leadership?
SHE Conference
These questions are at the heart of NHH´s contribution to this Years’s SHE Conference, where NHH Professor Therese Egeland meets Geir Holmgren, CEO in Gjensidige and others for discussion on the topics.
CEO Holmgren says that values such as diversity, equity and inclusion are important to the Gjensidige culture.
- This is now being challenged, and I think it is a responsibility to take part in the debate, and defend our values, he says.
The SHE Conference (Social Human Equity) is an annual event where NHH along with the other partners behind the conference demonstrates and explores how they can highlight solutions that shape a sustainable future. This year’s event on April 1st will feature a mix of policitians and business leaders with former Prime Minister and Conservative Party Leader Erna Solberg, delivering a keynote speech.
Balancing expectations
As one of the partners behind the conference, NHH will host one session. Professor Egeland will chair a panel discussion on what research has to say about how CEOs manage tensions between shareholders, boards, and other stakeholders, and how different ownership forms influence strategic leadership.
The panel features Camilla Amundsen (CEO of Miles), Geir Holmgren, and Tone Wille (former CEO of Posten) in a dialogue with Egeland. They will highlight the differences in ownership: public, private (foundation), and private equity, and what we can learn from CEOs in navigating potential dilemmas in this.
Board and Ownership Structure
The panel will share thoughts on how the board and regulatory bodies influence strategic decisions, and what dilemmas arise from this.
- How can a board, potentially influenced by private equity, engage with management, and are there unique challenges or opportunities in this setup?
- How does the board of directors set strategic priorities for a pro-profit organization and make sure that they aligned with the perspective of a charitable foundation as owner?
Executive Program
NHH Executive and NHH work closely with the SHE Conference to promote research, insight, and leadership development. For NHH Executive, the event is an important opportunity to highlight its Board Programmme. Professor Therese Egeland serves as Programmme Director for the course The Role and Responsibility of the Board.
`Board competence and strategic leadership are crucial—yet often underestimated—in a time of rapid change and increasing demands on corporate governance, ´ says Kristin Stave, Head of Custom Programmes at NHH Executive.
`Our Board Programme is a key strategic initiative that we’re very proud of. Boards play a pivotal role in how companies respond to new business models and strategic shifts. Through our collaboration with the SHE Conference, we want to emphasize the need for stronger board competence and greater diversity in decision-making, ´ says Stave.
NHH’s Role
The SHE Conference is Europe’s largest event focused on social sustainability.
As a proud partner, NHH uses the opportunity to share research-based insights and highlights its academic expertise on stage, according to Director of Communications and External Relations, Geir Mikalsen.
`NHH is visible through our stand as well as participating in gatherings with our partners. We see the conference as an important arena for our Executive education, our alumni activities as well as other important stakeholders in business and society´, Mikalsen says.
How top executives handle competing demands
On Monday January 6, 2025, Thora Lou will hold a trial lecture on a prescribed topic and defend her thesis for the PhD degree at NHH.