Danske Bank og danskerne 1871-2021
Name of applicant
Per Hansen
Institution
Copenhagen Business School
Amount
DKK 1,100,280
Year
2021
Type of grant
Monograph Fellowships
What?
The aim of the project is to write a historical monograph that makes sense of Danske Bank and its shifting relations to Danish society since its establishment in 1871. A historical and cultural analysis of the bank and its position in the financial sector and in Danish society will allow the Danes to better understand Danske Bank and its role in society today. The analysis will use the Danske Bank's management and its changing representations in society as a prism to understand Danske Bank and its history in the context of the financial sector and its shifting relations to the surrounding society.
Why?
In some ways, the financial industry constitutes a paradox, internationally as well as in Denmark. On the one hand banks have historically contributed to economic growth and development. On the other hand, public sentiment towards banks is often hostile, especially in the wake of financial crises and scandals. In Denmark Danske Bank, in particular, has often taken on and been assigned meanings that have questioned its contributions to society. This project will provide a new and timely understanding of Danske Bank's role in Danish society since 1871. Danske Bank's history will be analyzed in the historical context of the international financial industry. The overall aim is to provide a new understanding of the role of Danske bank and its relations to the Danes.
How?
This research project will focus on Danske Bank and its management, and its role and representation in the public sphere, as well as on the Danish authorities and public's perception of the bank and how it has changed over time. The shifting responses to the bank will be seen as cultural expressions that assign meanings to the bank through competing narratives. In terms of approach, I apply a narrative and sensemaking approach combined with sociological and historical theory about finance and change over time. The project will be based on a wide range of empirical material including newspapers, magazines and journals, annual reports, commission reports, interviews, and archives as well as other relevant empirical material.