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Alternative Routes to Management: The Humanities

Neilly, Josef LU and Chogolyanova, Vasilena (2019) MGTN59 20191
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
One’s ability to lead and manage should not be dictated solely by one’s education but rather their experiences
and personal background. If this is the case, then little attention should be paid to whether one comes from a
business-related background or not, and more attention should be paid to the skills and characteristics of the
individual. This study investigates how the humanities are represented in the business world, and what kind
of contribution they can make to it. It also explores if humanities graduates fulfil the criteria of what it means
to manage, and if their ability to manage was impacted by their studies.
A quantitative study was conducted, which involved gathering LinkedIn profile data of 2231 managers from
Southern... (More)
One’s ability to lead and manage should not be dictated solely by one’s education but rather their experiences
and personal background. If this is the case, then little attention should be paid to whether one comes from a
business-related background or not, and more attention should be paid to the skills and characteristics of the
individual. This study investigates how the humanities are represented in the business world, and what kind
of contribution they can make to it. It also explores if humanities graduates fulfil the criteria of what it means
to manage, and if their ability to manage was impacted by their studies.
A quantitative study was conducted, which involved gathering LinkedIn profile data of 2231 managers from
Southern Sweden and Denmark. It was found that 33% (736 of 2231) were from business-schooling
backgrounds, 17% (373) from engineering and only 2% (44) from the humanities. Following the findings of a
low representation of humanities graduates, a qualitative approach was introduced. Interviews of 8 of the 44
managers from a humanities background found that they did indeed fill the criteria of what is required to be
an effective manager. It was also found that the humanities graduates felt they, amongst other things, offered
more ‘holistic thinking’ and an ability to ‘connect dots’. They reported that they have a special ability to
consider different dimensions as opposed to the one-dimensional approach they felt that business school
graduates were only able to offer.
This study is of particular relevance, given the current trend of workforce diversification in business. In light of
the findings of this study, HR departments of businesses that wish to diversify should consider humanities
graduates for management positions, given that they fulfil the criteria of what it means to manage in addition
to what the different perspectives they can offer (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Neilly, Josef LU and Chogolyanova, Vasilena
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Humanities’ role in managerial development, from the perspective of Southern Sweden and Denmark
course
MGTN59 20191
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
developing managerial skills, humanities, managerial roles, managerial mindsets, diversity in the business world
language
English
id
8987122
date added to LUP
2019-06-26 09:03:01
date last changed
2019-06-26 09:03:01
@misc{8987122,
  abstract     = {{One’s ability to lead and manage should not be dictated solely by one’s education but rather their experiences
and personal background. If this is the case, then little attention should be paid to whether one comes from a
business-related background or not, and more attention should be paid to the skills and characteristics of the
individual. This study investigates how the humanities are represented in the business world, and what kind
of contribution they can make to it. It also explores if humanities graduates fulfil the criteria of what it means
to manage, and if their ability to manage was impacted by their studies.
A quantitative study was conducted, which involved gathering LinkedIn profile data of 2231 managers from
Southern Sweden and Denmark. It was found that 33% (736 of 2231) were from business-schooling
backgrounds, 17% (373) from engineering and only 2% (44) from the humanities. Following the findings of a
low representation of humanities graduates, a qualitative approach was introduced. Interviews of 8 of the 44
managers from a humanities background found that they did indeed fill the criteria of what is required to be
an effective manager. It was also found that the humanities graduates felt they, amongst other things, offered
more ‘holistic thinking’ and an ability to ‘connect dots’. They reported that they have a special ability to
consider different dimensions as opposed to the one-dimensional approach they felt that business school
graduates were only able to offer.
This study is of particular relevance, given the current trend of workforce diversification in business. In light of
the findings of this study, HR departments of businesses that wish to diversify should consider humanities
graduates for management positions, given that they fulfil the criteria of what it means to manage in addition
to what the different perspectives they can offer}},
  author       = {{Neilly, Josef and Chogolyanova, Vasilena}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Alternative Routes to Management: The Humanities}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}