“I am deeply honoured and touched by this honorary title. I have worked with Maureen McKelvey’s team at the School of Business, Economics and Law for several years, during which time I have greatly appreciated the quality of the teamwork and the positive working environment in Sweden. This honour is therefore a great source of satisfaction for me, and the ‘icing on the cake’ of my international career. I am therefore very grateful to the university,” says Nathalie Lazaric.
Routines can both hinder and enable change
Nathalie Lazaric is a professor at Université Côte d’Azur in France. Her research explores how individuals, organisations and societies change their established ways of doing things. A central concept in her research is organisational routines. These can be thought of as “the way we do things around here” and include how companies make decisions, develop new ideas, collaborate, solve problems and respond to change.
Traditionally, routines have often been seen as a source of organisational inertia: organisations continue to do things as they always have, even when the world around them changes. Nathalie Lazaric’s research presents a more nuanced picture. Although routines can create inertia, they can also provide a foundation for learning, innovation and change. Organisations do not change solely through major decisions, but also through the gradual evolution of everyday working practices.
The role of habits in the green transition
Nathalie Lazaric has also studied how habitual behaviour influences the transition towards a more sustainable society.
New technologies and policy measures are important for the green transition, but changes in how individuals and organisations behave are also needed. This may involve energy consumption, consumer behaviour, transport or how companies organise sustainable innovation.
Her research therefore contributes to our understanding of how innovation and behaviour change can work together in the transition towards a more sustainable society.
Long-standing collaboration with the School of Business, Economics and Law
Nathalie Lazaric has maintained close ties with the School of Business, Economics and Law for more than a decade. She has been affiliated with U-GOT KIES (Centre on knowledge-intensive innovation ecosystems), including through the School’s Visiting Professor Programme.
Over the years, she has contributed to both research and doctoral education, actively participated in conferences and workshops, and strengthened the research environment through her international network.
The University of Gothenburg’s Conferment of Doctoral Degrees will take place on 23 October 2026 at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre.
Text: Maria Norrström
