The EGOS community is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Emeritus Royston Greenwood on June 6, 2026.
Royston was one of the world's leading scholars in organization studies and institutional theory, whose research transformed
the study of organizations, professional service firms and organizational change. His scholarly excellence has been recognized
in many ways over the years, including as an EGOS Honorary Member, as well as a Fellow of the Academy of Management and the
Royal Society of Canada. He was an especially dedicated member of EGOS and worked hard to bridge European and North American
scholarship, as well as develop and mentor early career scholars to help turn their good ideas into publishable articles.
His work has influenced generations of researchers and practitioners around the globe and remains foundational within the
field.
In his early days, Royston taught public administration at the University of Birmingham, moving to the University of Alberta
in Edmonton Canada in 1982. What was initially planned as a short-term contract in Alberta, turned into a long term illustrious
and productive career at the Alberta School of Business. Royston helped build the school's international research reputation
through his scholarship, mentorship and leadership. He has been instrumental in building the Strategy, Entrepreneurship and
Management department at the University of Alberta into one of the leading organization studies groups in the world.
His research interests began with studies of local government, moving to focus on organizational change, professional service
firms, and institutional theory. In 1988, he and Bob Hinings organized a conference on “Organizational Change” at the University
of Alberta that continued and evolved into conferences on “Managing Professional Service Firms” and then the major international
event now known as the Triennial Alberta Institutions Conference. The most recent iteration was in Banff in 2025.
Royston remained dedicated to European scholarship throughout his career and has greatly contributed to making EGOS the lively
community it is today. His inspiring contributions to the annual Colloquia and all his invaluable support for the journals
was recognized with the EGOS Honorary Membership in 2013. Royston strongly believed in strengthening ties between organizational scholars around the world, and under his OMT Leadership
the close relationship between our two scholarly communities was established.
Royston’s own academic achievements are massive, but his circle of influence is far greater. Royston was a respected colleague,
teacher and mentor whose impact extended throughout the world.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, former students and colleagues. His legacy will continue to inspire
future generations of scholars and business leaders.
Michael Lounsbury, Trish Reay, Bob Hinings & Renate Meyer