Research in Economic History
Economic History in Gothenburg has implemented extensive research for many years now. This research is rooted, both theoretically and methodologically, in history and social sciences, and it provides long-term perspectives of the development of society.
The research at the Unit for Economic History has roots in history and social sciences and provides long-term perspectives on social development. The department has a professorship in Economic History (held by Klas Rönnbäck) and a professorship in Business History with support from Torsten and Ragnar Söderberg's foundations (held by Susanna Fellman). The research in Economic and Social history deals with themes such as wages, productivity, migration, living standards and health/mortality, and the economic history of slavery and colonialism, while research in Business History and Business History focuses on themes such as companies and markets.
The department has two visiting professors within the Visiting Professors Programme. These two are Martin Shanahan and Stephanie Decker. In addition, there are professors emeriti, associate professors, doctoral researchers and doctoral students. The total number of researchers amounts to about 25 people.
Our research areas
Business History
One profile area within the subject of Business History here in Gothenburg is the study of cartels and competition policy in a historical perspective. Other topics that have been focused on in recent years are the changing conditions of the Swedish advertising market, press historical research, society's financialization, networks in business and the business elite.
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Economic and Social History
A profile area for research in economic and social history has during the last ten years been labour market history studies of, for example, wages, living standards, mobility and institutions. Studies of productivity and emigration have also been conducted. Some of the more recent projects relate to labour market and productivity issues, while others open new fields: socio-economic differences in diet and health, selection and migration, historical mortality in pre-colonial West Africa, and the economic consequences of slavery and colonialism.
Professorship in Business History
Susanna Fellman, Professor in Economic History at the School of Business, Economics and Law is the holder of Torsten and Ragnar Söderbergs Foundation's professorship in Business History.