Mats Urde
Senior lecturer
Teaching Note: The Swedish Academy #MeToo Scandal and the Reputation of the Nobel Prize
Author
Summary, in English
A classroom guide to teaching the case, “The Swedish Academy #MeToo Scandal and the Reputation of the Nobel Prize” (HBS No. 5-919-410). A fictional case protagonist must present his evaluation to the Nobel Foundation of the scandal affecting one of the Nobel independent network members and its implications for the Foundation. Key issues include the reputational effects of the Swedish Academy scandal on the prestige of the Nobel Prize in Literature (awarded by the Academy) and on the Nobel Prize more broadly.
At its heart, this is a case about the reputation of an international symbol of achievement and about managing an iconic brand. The case provides insights into the nature of a prestigious “heritage brand” and its challenges and opportunities to remain relevant and differentiated in the 21st century. In “protecting and safeguarding the standing of the Nobel Prize” the executive board faced the paradox of continuity and change with the reputation of “the world’s most prestigious award” at issue. A respected magazine article on the Nobel Prize concluded: “No other prize has anything like the stature of a Nobel. . . . But some do whisper, ‘for how much longer?’” (The Economist, January 2, 2016)
At its heart, this is a case about the reputation of an international symbol of achievement and about managing an iconic brand. The case provides insights into the nature of a prestigious “heritage brand” and its challenges and opportunities to remain relevant and differentiated in the 21st century. In “protecting and safeguarding the standing of the Nobel Prize” the executive board faced the paradox of continuity and change with the reputation of “the world’s most prestigious award” at issue. A respected magazine article on the Nobel Prize concluded: “No other prize has anything like the stature of a Nobel. . . . But some do whisper, ‘for how much longer?’” (The Economist, January 2, 2016)
Department/s
- Department of Business Administration
Publishing year
2018-12-17
Language
English
Publication/Series
HBS Case Collection
Issue
919-410
Links
Document type
Teaching case
Publisher
Harvard Business Publishing
Topic
- Business Administration
Keywords
- Nobel Prize
- Swedish Academy
- Reputation
- MeToo
- crisis management
- Brand management
Status
Published