The Business History Award is given by the Centre for Business History to those who have made lasting contributions to highlighting Swedish business history and have shown the contributions of Swedish companies to the society's development. The first recipient in 2019 was author Anders Johnson, and the award has since been given to the Economic Museum, the Dalén Museum, IKEA, professors Håkan Lindgren and Mats Larsson, and the association Business Archives in Norrland.
Many distinguished candidates were nominated during this year's nomination period - and the jury agreed to give it to Ersta Diakoni. The jury's motivation reads:
Since 1851, Ersta diakoni has been a pioneering force in shaping modern society. By establishing the country's first modern nursing education and opening hospitals for the most vulnerable, Ersta paved the way for both modern care and for women's independent professional lives. This tradition of social entrepreneurship is kept alive through strategic use of history, visible, among other things, in the company museum at Erstaklippan, in thorough historical research, and in the architecture of the new hospital where old meets new. The company’s own history also highlights the role of the idea-driven business sector in the development of welfare. In texts, films, and physical environments, history also becomes a natural part of the organizational culture—as a compass for today's challenges. Ersta diakoni shows how historical lessons, based on the core value of "seeing the person," give courage, direction, and energy to contemporary decisions.
With the award, which will be presented at a ceremony later this fall, comes a prize sum of 100,000 SEK.
About the Centre for Business History
The Centre for Business History, which established the Business History Award, has been assisting companies with professional archival solutions and active use of history since 1974. The company offering these services is wholly owned by the non-profit Association Centre for Business History. It has a research secretariat conducting independent research, research preparatory projects, and educational activities for high schools.
About Ersta diakoni
Ersta diakoni is Sweden's largest non-profit and value-driven player in healthcare and social care. Ersta diakoni has existed since 1851 and operates healthcare, elderly care, LSS, social support, as well as church and culture. Based on its core value of "seeing the person," all surplus is reinvested in the business to develop quality and help more people.
About the Business History Award
The Business History Award, with its prize sum of 100,000 SEK, is now being awarded for the seventh time
