CBS takes the pulse of management in Denmark

Better management in Denmark could make billions every year in strengthened competitiveness. But what needs to be improved to ensure that extra gain? A report by CBS researchers has the answer. It is based on Danish top executives' assessment of management in their own organisations.

08/04/2015

Danish managers are credible and good at creating a positive atmosphere. They know how to run things steadily, especially if the course is straight ahead. They are socially responsible and they can really cut through. On the other hand conflicts are swept under the rug, and they have difficulties getting the organisation to follow the strategy, especially when there are changes on the agenda. They struggle with creating an efficient learning culture, which affects the ability to innovate, while the ability to attract and develop talents is weak and staff management is pointed out as a development area.

These are some of the main conclusions in the report "New Danish management" prepared by Flemming Poulfelt and Henrik Holt Larsen, Professors. The report is based on a survey among all members of the Danish Management Society's top executive groups earlier this year in connection with the Society's 50th anniversary.

The report also questions whether "The Danish Way" or Scandinavian Management has the ascribed effect. Particularly an unreflecting practice of the management style - which is characterised by e.g. delegation, informal tone, equality and freedom with responsibility -  entails a risk of missing potential competitiveness improvements, the two professors conclude. A more situation-specific use of the Danish management style and in combination with other management styles especially in international context holds potential.

And the report also mentions the Danish tendency to place staff responsibility where the staff is, i.e. with the individual staff member. However, according to the authors it is somewhat surprising that the survey shows that managers are only moderately able and willing to manage staff and develop talents. "Ensuring highly competent and dedicated employees should be a top priority," Poulfelt and Holt Larsen write in their report.
The two professors identify five overall "important management focus areas" which can help strengthen the competitiveness of Danish businesses:

1. Ensure the development of an innovation culture to promote innovation and competitiveness
2. Ensure the strategic execution ability in order to utilise the potential of strategies
3. Ensure that change management is an integral management discipline and not a specialised area.
4. Make managers' staff responsibility thrive
5. Reflect more on the Danish management style and practice in a global perspective and which possible adjustments should be made

PDF icon Read the full report here

PDF icon See how top executives identified characteristics of Danish  (p. 15)

PDF icon See comments from respondents about the "downside of management" in Denmark (back)

For more information contact professor Flemming Poulfelt or professor Henrik Holt Larsen

The page was last edited by: Communications // 12/17/2017