12. Higher Education in Management: The Case of Sweden

Sweden has a rather long history of business education. The first chair in the economic sciences was created at Uppsala University in 1741 in spite of strong resistance from the professorial corps. The chair was inspired by Germany where similar positions had been established in Halle 1727 and in Rinteln in 1730. The first professor dealt already then, according to Engwall (2004), with issues that today would be labeled management. Academic business studies became more widespread with the founding of business schools during the twentieth century. While the early system of business studies in Sweden was originally modeled on the pattern of Germany, American influence became increasingly important in the years following World War II. Many professors spent study periods in the USA and American literature came to dominate the curriculum (Engwall 2004).