A1 Journal article (refereed)
Double Objective in Mind : Translating American Management Ideas in the Context of Cold War Finland (2023)

Seppälä, J., Nevalainen, P., Mattila, P., & Laukkanen, M. (2023). Double Objective in Mind : Translating American Management Ideas in the Context of Cold War Finland. Enterprise and Society, 24(1), 253-285. https://doi.org/10.1017/eso.2021.32

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Seppälä, Jarmo; Nevalainen, Pasi; Mattila, Pekka; Laukkanen, Mikko

Journal or series: Enterprise and Society

ISSN: 1467-2227

eISSN: 1467-2235

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 17/09/2021

Volume: 24

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 253-285

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/eso.2021.32

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78018

Abstract

The transfer of American management ideas was a central part of the Cold War struggle over ideologies. A key mediator was the European Recovery Program, which conveyed American influences to European management specialists. However, a direct influence was not always possible, as in Finland, which officially blocked assistance because of foreign policy considerations. Still, it was among the first countries to follow Harvard University’s lead in launching advanced management training. We examine how and why the focal actors adopted the American model of executive education, and how they managed to translate foreign ideas persuasively to the local business elite. The translation of executive education to Finland was a lengthy process that involved modification and readjustment of the original idea according to emerging needs. The Advanced Management Program became the core of the curriculum of Finland’s leading executive education institution and thus has influenced the emergence of new business culture.

Keywords: leadership (activity); management education; management systems; foreign policy; history; Cold War

Free keywords: executive education; management history; Cold War; translation

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 2