Good Nordic Management Practices

The project identified good Nordic management practices by analysing Nordic research on management, working conditions, and productivity. The project identified 2760 publications combining these topics and analysed in detail 38 core publications combining all three topics. The main findings were: 1. Nordic research that combine all three topics is limited in extend but broad in content and therefore fragmented 2. Values related to cooperation and participation permeated the publications, which sets them apart from EU and US publications. 3. The core publications identified positive relations between management practices, working conditions and workplace performance 4. Positive management practices are characterised by dialogue and cooperation between managers and subordinates. The research was conducted in 2012-2014 at Aalborg University, SINTEF, VTT, and Karlstad University.

Nordic companies and organisations are often distinguished by committedemployees and a high degree of creativity. One reason is a specific Nordicleadership style, which sets itself apart through the delegation of power and responsibility to employees and a high degree of consensus seeking, among other things. Nordic leaders also stress the necessity of co-operation. In addition, they play down their authority and often function more as coaches for their employees. It is also important that leaders are able to inspire their employees, and be visionary yet realistic at the same time. This report describes how various studies on culture, leadership and values characterise the Nordic leadership style. The report also attempts to find factors in Nordic societies that could help explain the leadership style in the Nordic region. Particular attention is given to two of these: the creation of the Nordic welfare state and the tradition of balancing different interests in society, especially within the labour market. The discussion of these factors is also supplemented by examining the role played by the industrial structure.

This book contributes to the expanding field of cross-cultural and comparative management, and addresses the issue of whether the main Scandinavian countries – Denmark, Norway and Sweden – exhibit such similarities in management style and practice as to constitute a country cluster. It is based on a qualitative, interview-driven study of managers in companies matched by industry in the three countries and seeks to contextualise the research findings in a general discussion of the Scandinavian countries, showing their intertwined histories and similar institutions and values. The book argues that the central values of these managers are equality, informality, decency, and conflict avoidance; it shows that the behaviour of Scandinavian managers is inspired by these values and that they can be attributed to national culture and not to the peculiarities of any particular industry. Management in Scandinavia will be of interest to students and teachers of international management, as well as practitioners of business and management.

Sweden has one of the lowest national debts in Europe, a well-educated workforce, and the country consistently ranks in top positions of the best places to live and work in the world. Human Resource Management: A Nordic Perspective offers a unique and valuable insight into the working practices of HRM in Sweden, which has been explicated for an international audience. The book offers readers outside of the country alternative methods for improving efficiency and well-being in their own workplace. A team of experienced contributors based in Sweden discuss and analyse the Nordic tradition of inclusive and participative management and present different perspectives on creating a work-life suitable for every person involved. The first part of the book includes chapters on general issues in HR work such as development and learning, selection, teamwork, career paths, and cooperation within organisations. The second part addresses diversity, inclusion, and how discriminatory practices can be avoided. This book will be a valuable resource for students of: HRM, business, management, education, psychology, sociology, as well as human resource management professionals who are seeking new ways to balance economic and human values.

Sammanfattning.