Business Management

The focus for the subject area's research, teaching and collaboration is based on business administration with profiling towards business management and connected to broader social sciences. Priority sub-topics are production, environmental and circular economy, strategy, entrepreneurship, innovation, marketing, management, leadership and organization, work environment and knowledge transfer, in agriculture, horticulture and landscape, at community, company and individual level, in rural areas and in the city, as well as on a national and global level.

The subject area uses both qualitative and quantitative research methods to solve complex problems and issues, influencing and contributing to a positive and sustainable economic, social, and ecological development for the companies and employees of the green industries. The objective of the subject area is to act as an engine of change in the sector through cooperation with other actors. The area's research is characterized by interdisciplinarity, systems thinking, holistic applied research and implementation in collaboration with industry stakeholders, and other institutions within and outside SLU.

Within education the subject area is involved in education programmes at both bachelor’s and master’s levels: Agroecology, Agriculture, Horticultural science, Landscape engineer, Agricultural and rural management, Sustainable food systems and Horticultural management. Teaching within the subject area is mainly given in the subject of business administration with a profile towards business management. Examples of prioritised sub-subjects in teaching are production, environmental and circular economy, financial management, business strategy and models, entrepreneurship, innovation, marketing, management, work environment, leadership and organisation, social sustainability, project management and facilitation, as well as methods and thesis courses in agriculture, horticulture, and landscape management.

The goal is to develop high-quality interdisciplinary education for both national and international students with a focus on economic and social sustainability within the green industries, in the countryside as well as in the urban environment (ecological sustainability is a given condition). The area is characterised by a close interaction and collaboration with society, business, and other universities. Courses are linked to the green industries and are characterised by a systems perspective with a close connection to the latest research.

Important infrastructure for the subject area is the national and international networks and platforms that are prerequisites for the subject area's collaborations and cooperation within both research and education. The networks span everything from individual companies, industry, and interest organisations, to authorities, universities, and scientific associations. Linked to the subject area is also the collaboration platform Swedish Centre for Agricultural Business Management and a communicator, which are of great importance in making the subject area's activities and future development visible and useful.