Roberto Verganti appointed first Josefsson Family Chair in Art and Innovation
The Josefsson Family Chair in Art and Innovation deepens SSE’s commitment to integrating art into business education and research. While SSE’s Art Initiative has been instrumental in introducing art into the educational environment, this chair marks the beginning of a dedicated research effort in the field. Housed at SSE’s House of Innovation, the chair will position SSE at the forefront of global research on the interplay between creativity, leadership, and innovation.
Roberto Verganti, professor at SSE’s House of Innovation and a visiting lecturer at Harvard Business School, is an internationally recognized expert on innovation and leadership. His research focuses on how organizations create meaningful innovations and how art can help leaders develop a deeper understanding of societal change.
“The essence of innovation is becoming less about finding solutions and more about making sense of a rapidly changing world. In other words, innovation asks today’s leaders to elevate their capabilities for meaning-making. Art, as a medium of reflection and interpretation, offers powerful opportunities to navigate this terrain,” says Roberto Verganti.
Exploring the relationship between art and innovation
The research conducted will focus on two key areas. The first, “Art in Innovation,” examines how art helps leaders navigate uncertainty, integrate diverse perspectives, and redefine problems rather than just solving them. In a world saturated with ideas – accelerated by technologies like artificial intelligence – the ability to determine what is worth pursuing is more critical than ever.
The second area, “Innovation in Art,” explores how technological advances, particularly AI, are reshaping creative industries. From music to film and design, AI is transforming how artists work, collaborate, and sustain their careers. Given Sweden’s global standing in music and digitalization, SSE is uniquely positioned to contribute insights into the future of creative industries.
A global hub for creativity, innovation and leadership
The chair is fully funded by the Josefsson family through the Josefsson Foundation, reflecting their deep and longstanding commitment to the arts and innovation. Over the years, the family has actively supported artists, cultural institutions, and initiatives that explore the intersection of creativity and society. Per Josefsson also played a key role in launching SSE’s Art Initiative.
“Art challenges us, broadens perspectives, and strengthens business and society. Supporting research in this area is a natural extension of our belief in the power of art. Our family has long been committed to the arts, and we see this initiative as a way to bridge creativity and commerce in a meaningful way. We hope this is just the beginning and that others will join in supporting this important work,” says Per Josefsson.
While the Josefsson Family Chair is an important step, SSE aims to expand its efforts in this field. Plans are underway to build a Center for Art and Innovation, which will require additional funding to support emerging scholars, postdocs, and tenure-track researchers.
“SSE has pioneered a new approach to business education by integrating culture and creativity. With this research initiative, we take another significant step in shaping the future of innovation,” says SSE President Lars Strannegård.
The Josefsson Family Chair in Art and Innovation will not only elevate SSE’s research profile but also strengthen 海角社区下载’s role as a global hub for creativity, innovation, and leadership.
For more information, please contact:
Roberto Verganti
Josefsson Family Chair in Art and Innovation
Email: Roberto Verganti
Mårten Josefsson
Foundation Manager, Josefsson Foundation
Email: marten.josefsson@jofam.se
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