The people of Audentes have proposed their candidate, Dr. Stein Skjorshammer, Head of School of Business, International University Audentes, in a letter to rector.

The following article is an interview with Dr. Skjorshammer.

Question: You have put your name into the hat as candidate for Dean at TSEBA?

Answer: I have not myself put my name into the hat. I was asked by my colleagues at Audentes, if I would agree that they proposed me as candidate. To this I have agreed.

Until then, I was actually not thinking of myself as a possible candidate. However, I was thinking of others asking if I could propose them as candidates. They all declined. So when I was asked, I agreed. Believe me, it was not in my plan. However, today, after having agreed t let my name be put forward I am rather excited about the opportunity.

Question: Why did they propose you and why did you agree?

Answer: You should ask them why they proposed me. But I take it as a vote of confidence, both in me as a person and professional; they trust I will do a good job.

However, we should not forget that the appointment is intermediary and for one year only.

Question: Why did you let them propose you?

Answer: I think that the answers to this are many. First, as I already mentioned, they believe that I am a good candidate. On this I happen to agree. Secondly, I feel sad that the TSEBA Council was not able to agree on a candidate the school put could forward and rally around as their leader. I see this as a serious defeat and sad day, not only for TSEBA, but Estonia at large. Here we are, the largest and most important business school in Estonia, being entrusted by the Estonian government in educating young people to future leadership in private and public life. The future and well being of the whole nation depends on their success. An awesome responsibility! Then, we who are supposed to be experts are not able to agree and pick our own leader. I think it is a sad thing and a real defeat that we have to depend on others to do what we should have done, but could not do ourselves; select a dean. Showing the world, sorry, but we are no better! Somehow, I feel shameful. We did not live up to the expectations and should be able to do better than this and I can hardly think of any more important issue facing TSEBA this spring than to agree on and elect a dean.

We are presently faced with no candidate. No other person or alternative candidate has stepped forward. As I already said, I approached several persons asking them to step forward, but for various reasons, they all declined. This I want to rectify by allowing my candidacy. Thirdly, I think I could be an acceptable candidate, both regarding academic credentials and work experience.

Finally, I want to continue the good work which has been started, both related to TSEBA and the merger between TSEBA and Audentes. If we fail in the last one, one may be tempted to ask, why TSEBA bought and paid ten million kroons for Audentes. It would be like throwing money out of the window!

Question: What are your credentials?

Let me mention a few, which may be important for this case. I think that my two doctor degrees from reputable universities in the US, should cover my academic credentials. In addition I have, for the past two years been Dean at Audentes School of Business at and together with my fine colleagues, given my contributions in building this institution into a truly international school; probably the most international institution of higher learning, not only in Estonia, but the Baltic’s. Another achievement I may mention, is that during this time, we received full accreditation of our bachelor and master programs. The past academic year, I have been a member of the TSEBA Council and participated in various TSEBA activities. I was also Dean of Graduate Studies and Executive Development at Oslo Business School, which during my time merged with Norwegian School of Management (BI); the largest and possibly the most international business school in Scandinavia. In addition I have, been visiting professor and guest lecture at various universities and colleges. Add to this many years of experience from international business, working in some forty counties, in various management positions, both for others and myself. My track record shows that I know how to lead and manage.

Question: In addition to being the Head of the Business School you are also associate professor. What are you teaching?

Answer: With my background from academia and business, you could refer to me what the Americans call a “Jack of all trades”, meaning that I know a little about many things. At Audentes I have been teaching courses in Global Business/Management, Leadership, International Human Resource Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In addition to preparing students for their profession life and careers, they may also serve me well as Acting Dean at TSEBA. I have also been active in the public debate the last few months through Aripaev, writing on innovation as it relates to the global financial crisis.

I am also very interested in emerging markets and business in emerging markets and lectured abroad on this topic. In addition I participate as speaker in various business conferences and seminars when invited; the latest for The Finnish Tax Board arranged by Helsinki School of Economics, Small Business Center.

Question: What is your relation to students?

Answer: My relation to students is pretty straight forward. The students are the main and maybe the only reel reason for being at the University, not only me but all of us whether being faculty or staff. All we plan and do is for the welfare and benefit of the students.

I have an open door policy, meaning that the students are free to come and see me at any time. By the way, the same goes for faculty.

Question: What about Estonia?

Answer: My first visit to Estonia was in the spring of 1992. I think I have some insight and experience of Estonian business, education and culture; at least sufficient for this challenge.

Question: What about the language? Do you speak Estonian?

Answer: I can not say that I know the Estonian language as I would like. On the other side, I can not say that this has represented a problem for me. I have been moving around and doing business in all three Baltic countries in addition to Russia and Poland without any language problems. Not to mention the many counties I dealt with during my period in business. Not all of them spoke Norwegian, my mother tongue. However, in this job I think that the key may be the English language. And besides, there are plenty of people of TSEBA who can help me with the Estonian language when needed. One of the things I will focus on, if elected, is internationalization. We all know that those who want to succeed in a global environment must master English.

One peculiarity may be that I last month was member of Tallinn Mayor Savisaars delegation to Groningen, representing TUT with no problems related to language.

I may also mention that speaking the Scandinavian languages and being a Norwegian, may prove beneficial when seeking cooperation with the other Scandinavian business schools. I am sort of “one of them”.

Question: So you think seeking cooperation with the other Scandinavian business schools is important?

Answer: Yes, I do. My vision for TSEBA is to build the School of Business into a truly international school and place it firmly into the tradition of businesses schools, putting the students in centre and thus preparing them for careers in private and public enterprises at home and abroad. This means that I will continue to seek and emphasis cooperation with leading business schools in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

Question: What will be your main contribution? What will you concentrate on?

Answer: First of all the appointment is for one year only, which naturally will limit what one may be able to do. But these are some of the issues I see important. First, to continue the good works presently going on. The American has a saying that goes: “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” So I will continue to build on what is already there. Secondly, I will provide the leadership necessary is necessary to reach short term goals and prepare for the future. Thirdly, I will make sure that the merger between TSEBA and Audentes is successful and we achieve the goals which the reason behind the merger; meaning continued and increased focus on internationalization on which I have written a few articles in Aripaev, Opetajate Leht and Harridus. Fourthly, I will help to prepare for the election of new dean next year. Finally, but not least, I will try to build bridges between people to secure maximum cooperation.

Question: So, do you think you can do it?

Answer: Yes, I think so. If I did not think that I could do it, I would never allow my name to be put forward. But it is really not for me to answer the question. You should ask rector Surje. The final decision rests with the rector, not only if he thinks I can do it, but  all things taken into consideration, if I am the preferred candidate or not.

Question: What about the TEBA people, do you think they can support you, coming from Audentes?

Answer: I do not see myself as coming from Audentes as if Audentes was another institution than TSEBA. I have never taught of myself in terms of them and us. We belong to the same university. I have been an employee of TUT/TSEBA since June 2008 and will continue to be an employee, just like the rest. We are in the same boat together. In addition I have been member of the TSEBA council and we have worked well together for almost one year. If anybody should even hint on making that argument, they need to think again!

Question: What about being a foreigner? If elected you will bee the first foreigner elected as a dean, not only to TSEBA but TUT. Already now you are making history by “running”. No foreigner has previously “run” for deanship at TSEBA or TUT.

Answer: Again, I case I should be successful; I am not being elected to dean, but appointed to acting dean by Rector for one year. These are two very different things. Being foreigner and Norwegian may be an “exotic novelty”, which somebody may want to play on, but it means little, if anything. And besides, there is always a first for everything. Related to this, I see myself as being part of the Estonian society, rather than Norwegian. Maybe I can put it into military wording: “The mission is given by Estonia and the service is made for Estonia”. However, there will be many foreigners in leading position in the future, not only in Estonia, but all over the world. It will not be citizenship which will matter the most, being the decisive, deciding factor, but rather knowledge, experience and skills to do the work. This is not to be avoided, rather welcomed. In the globalization we experience, it is important to “open up” and not to try to shut ourselves of or out.  The future of Estonian education is strongly linked to quality. We have to go for the best, whether local or foreign.

In addition, to appoint me for one year, gives the university a chance to test how a foreigner will work out, if it is successful or not; something they would like to continue to pursue. Almost like a little experiment with few if any risks involved.

Finally, European Union also speaks to this.

Question: But you hope it will be you?

Answer: Well, I have allowed my name to be put forward for reasons already mentioned. If Rector Surje picks me, I will be grateful and honored and will of course pledge myself to do the best possible job within the means given to me. If not, I will continue to make my contribution in building TSEBA in cooperation with whoever he selects.

Questions: Finally, what do you think will happen next?

Answer: Well, no I have put my name forward. I know that I have full support from my own institution. The next thing I plan to do, is to talk with the people of TSEBA and see where they stand and what they think. Then I hope that rector will arrange for a meeting, where I will have the opportunity to present my self and my plans in more detail. And maybe even more important, learn about rectors plans and ideas for TSEBA, especially related to the next academic year. As already mentioned, as it presently stands, it all rests with him. He is the one who decides.

Interviewer: John C. Sullivan

Coordinator, English Language Program

Business School

International University Audentes