Week 5 - Regina Kwon

According to Hedemann, Danish business employees showed resilient and competitive qualities in the vastly growing and global industry which reflected what their manufacturing can achieve and handle to make it in the real world. Furniture stores such as IKEA are great in America but in turn cause European stores to optimize and intensify labor as well as international competition. Yet Denmark’s supply and demand of furniture grew through these factors: renewal of technology, intensification, optimization; and competition. The aftermath has led to a sort of rebranding of Danish furniture and Denmark. Therefore, Denmark remade itself through adequate social engagement and frequent changes to its traditional structure of production. Correspondingly, as Hansen claims: “Without an elaborate, committed social network, Danish Design would never have achieved such a considerable degree of success” (452). Consumers and producers essentially had to combine their strengths to make all the difference. With the help of outside connections and organizations, the motivation behind consuming Danish furniture became increasingly important. People grasped an understanding and inclination to purchase the furniture. “Danish Modern” furniture, for instance, symbolized exquisite “taste” and “lifestyle.” Denmark became reasonably fashionable. However, limitations surfaced. In order for Denmark to restart the “life cycle” of their products and achieve maximum national aesthetics, they must adjust to changes, innovate, and plan. This resonates with the idea of social entrepreneurship. While maintaining a sense of national identity, Denmark can begin something new and refined.

Domestically in the best way, I would promote my product by getting in touch with the newly founded Mental Health Conference on campus. From there, I can collaborate with board members and share/expand on ideas. Internationally is more of a challenge, but with the help of cross-cultural associations, I’m sure my product will take flight. In other words, I would work alongside professional individuals who have expertise in presenting a product. In Asia, there can be more mental health/wellbeing services made available and reachable. Therefore, I will speak with international workers about sponsorship and if they’d be interested in promoting a product with widespread advantage. I’m not into advertising so I’d replace this method of endorsement by reaching out to the best global markets in the healthcare industry. I’d also step out of my comfort zone and create an internship program (based on study abroad) that essentially provides local and international students with the opportunity to get in contact with overseas business connections, apply their foreign language skills, and experience the rewarding process of promoting my product. In addition, more jobs would be available both locally and internationally.

Question: How might historical narratives reflect the construction of future enterprises, when these forms of meaning frequently change?

Sources: Hansen, Per H. “Networks, Narratives, and New Markets: The Rise and Decline of Danish Modern Furniture Design.” The Business History Review 80.3 (2006): 449-483. JSTOR. Web. 2 Feb. 2017. 

Hedemann, Lars, and Mogens Rostgaard Nissen. “The Internationalization of Danish Furniture: A Value Chain Perspective.” Erhvervshistorisk Årbog 2 (2013): 15-36. Web. 2 Feb. 2017.

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