Since Industrial Management became a subject at
Chalmers around 50 years ago, Sweden has had a large global impact –
Volvo safety solutions and AstraZeneca pharmaceuticals are just two
examples that have saved millions of lives. Management today includes
governance aspects, as well as entrepreneurship and realising more
sustainable innovations.
"This seminar takes a long-term perspective in celebrating past
achievements, while addressing emerging future developments. It brings
together Chalmers alumni, students and faculties to increase our
understanding of how we can manage a sustainable future in a better
way," explains Professor Mats Lundqvist, F91, who coordinated the
seminar as Vice Head of the Department of Technology Management and
Economics. Mats has also been involved in starting Chalmers School of
Entrepreneurship in 1997 and worked as its director. He wants to put
more focus on the management topic, both in research and education at
Chalmers.
The pioneer, Professor Holger Bohlin
A leading figure at Chalmers on these issues was
Professor Holger Bohlin, who was born a hundred years ago in 1921. He came from the
Stockholm School of Economics and in 1969 was appointed Professor of the
Department of Industrial Management at Chalmers. In September 1983,
Holger gave the welcome speech to the first 30 students on the new
Industrial Engineering and Management program: "We will create a
symbiosis between technical science and economic know-how, so that you
as human beings, will be able to take wise decisions on behalf of the
company you are working for". In other words, a management-program.
Among the speakers at the seminar on 19 November there were five
renowned managers with extensive experience around managing more
sustainable futures. Together with management scholars, they gave
their perspectives on the topic.
Speakers: Jesper Brodin, CEO Ingka Group | IKEA, I95, Anna
Nilsson-Ehle, Chairman of Vinnova, SIQ and Lindholmen Science Park, F76,
Gustaf Dalén medalist, Leif Johansson, Chairman of Astra-Zeneca, M77,
Gustaf Dalén medalist and Anna Westerberg, President Volvo Buses, I00
Text: Avançons no 2/2021, adaptation: Daniel KarlssonPhoto: Daniel Karlsson, Chalmers and via the speakers