The Swedish Academy #MeToo Scandal and the Reputation of the Nobel Prize

This case focuses on the potential for “reputational contagion” to the Nobel Prize from a scandal affecting one of its independent network member entities, the Swedish Academy. The latter is responsible for selecting the Nobel Prize in Literature, by appointment of Alfred Nobel.
The Swedish Academy consists of 18 members appointed for life. Its primary responsibility is to preserve the purity, vigor, and majesty of the Swedish language. In 2017-18, The Swedish Academy was involved in a #MeToo sexual misconduct scandal precipitated by the behavior of a major cultural figure, who was married to an Academy member. The member had allegedly leaked advance information about the laureates to her husband. The scandal remained in the public eye and drew media attention for months. It affected the Academy’s reputation, and led to an Academy decision not to make the 2018 award. The key issue is what, if anything, the Nobel Foundation should have done and should do during the course of the scandal, and why.