Alternative Routes to Management: The Humanities

Sammanfattning: 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