Louise Karlskov Skyggebjerg

About

View research profile and publications

E-mail

lks.bhl@cbs.dk

Telephone

Office: +4538153421

Departments

Department of Business Humanities and Law

Room: POR/18.B-2.148

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View research profile and publications

Subjects

Technology Qualitative methods Environment Foundations Social responsibility History

Primary research areas

Business History

I am specialized in the history of Danish industry. In a current project, we explore how and why a specific company survived for 200 years.

Environmental History

I explore the history of corporate environmentalism and more generally, the role of business in relation to pollution, circular economy, and sustainability issues historically. An example is my study of beer can recycling and the infrastructural system developed for the purpose.

History of Technology

I explore innovation in a historical context and related discussions to give historical perspective to current debates on climate, AI, and more generally the role of technology in our society. An example is a study of the repeated fear of technological unemployment.

Nonprofit organisations and philanthropy

What does it mean to be working for the common good? Studying savings bank foundations, I explore the concept “almennytte” and how foundations have struggled balancing profit and social goals. This includes business ethics issues and explorations of the combination of praiseworthy goals and high-risk banking before the financial crisis.

Using history to understand current challenges

I inform current technological, environmental, and ethical discourses by offering historical perspective and humanistic insights into subjects such as corporate environmentalism, the impact of new technologies, and more broadly the messy everyday of running a business.

As a historian, my strength lies in the application of a holistic view and a long-term perspective, exploring a broad range of aspects from production layout to business ethics. I am especially interested in the immense societal transformation from 1800 to 2000.

Theoretically and methodologically, I am informed by new materialism, practice theory, and other approaches that helps exploring the ordinary and mundane. A focal point is to understand how ideas, phenomena, and practices become taken-for-granted in organizations. Building on my expertise from museums, another is an interest in objects, infrastructure, and technologies. Last but not least, I love to teach and disseminate my knowledge.

Recent research projects

Savings Bank Foundations

An exploration of the history of savings bank foundations and the concept and practice of “almennytte”. Funding: Nordea-foundation.

The history of Grønbech

A company history told through people and things. Includes exploring how one of the oldest Danish companies got so old and experiments with new ways of writing business history. Funding: Grønbech.

The black transition (Den sorte omstilling)

Historians and engineers collaborating to explore how we came to need a green transition. The project included historical life cycle assessments. Led by Odense Museum. Funding: Velux-foundation.

Project output: Anthology “Den sorte omstilling”