JU professor Leif Melin to receive honorary doctorate from Linnaeus University

The appointment is in recognition of Leif Melin’s long-standing and significant contributions to research, collaboration, and academic development. He will be installed as an honorary doctor at Linnaeus University's Academic Ceremony on 30 January 2026.

“It is a great honour. It feels like a nice sign that my contributions during my career are appreciated,” says Leif Melin, Professor Emeritus of Business Administration at Jönköping International Business School (JIBS) at Jönköping University (JU).

Leif Melin is awarded the honorary doctorate for his significant contributions as a member of Smålandsnavet advisory board and the development of the School of Business and Economics at Linneaus University’s research environments.

"It is with great pleasure that we appoint Leif Melin as honorary doctor. Through his research on strategic change processes and family business ownership and governance, as well as his commitment to the School of Business and Economics at Linnaeus University, he has been an important source of inspiration for research, education and collaboration," says Andreas Stephan, Acting Dean of the School of Business and Economics.

A central figure at JIBS

During his long and impressive time as researcher and leader at JIBS, Leif Melin has been a central figure in the development of research on family businesses, strategic change processes, and corporate governance. His work has not only shaped the research environment at the Centre for Family Entrepreneurship and Ownership (CeFEO) at JU, but has also had a major impact nationally and internationally.

“The honorary doctorate is of course flattering for me personally and nicely highlights the success of the investments in JIBS and, in particular, the research centre I initiated, the Centre for Family Entrepreneurship and Ownership (CeFEO). I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all the researchers, teachers, and doctoral students I have worked with over the years,” says Leif Melin.