Laurence Romani appointed Professor of Management

Laurence Romani has been appointed professor of management at the Department of Management and Organization at the Stockholm School of Economics. Laurence Romani’s research investigates the social responsibilities of organizations, in particular, in their management and inclusion of diversity.

Laurence Romani's research has focused on cross cultural management and more recently also on diversity management. She has had a strong and lasting impact on the field of cross-cultural management by opening it up to a more diverse set of research paradigms, including interpretive and critical approaches highlighting the constructive and political implications of culture and studies of culture.

“I have always been interested in how organizations deal with differences and for many years I worked in cross-cultural management to understand how national culture result in employees having different expectations on management and leadership. I now focus on ethnicity and migration and how persons with a migration background are included in organizations,” says Laurence.

Laurence’s current project investigates how organizations’ recruitment processes are inclusive of diversity, with a focus on ethnic minorities.

How does your research contribute to society?

“I see organizations as responsible actors in society because they hold the key to work and integration in the labour market. Knowing that, you really wonder: why don’t we talk more about organizations in the debate on migration and integration?” says Laurence.

“With this project, I hope to be able to spread knowledge about inclusion processes and contribute with science-based arguments to an inclusive society. I aim to make organizations realize that they can play a civic role in integration, they are equally holding forms of responsibility as the state, the schools or the municipalities. Migration is a societal grand challenge, and we need to make integration work for our society to be sustainable.”

Laurence defended her PhD in International Business at the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) in 2008. After a post-doc at Rotterdam School of Management and a position as visiting researcher at Copenhagen Business School, she joined SSE as assistant professor in 2014. In November 2021 she was granted a full professorship at the Department of Management and Organization. Laurence is also SSE PRME director and head of the Center for Responsible Leadership.

What are your future aspirations?

“Continue with research! But also engage more with SSE developments. I am particularly happy that I am becoming CIVICA academic Lead in 2022, contributing to strengthen the CIVICA alliance and work on realizing SSE’s ambition with this European University,” says Laurence.