ansvar

Ansvar is a term used in Swedish and Norwegian to denote the duty to act and to be answerable for the consequences of one's actions. It encompasses both personal obligations and the formal duties of organizations, institutions, and governments. In everyday usage, ansvar can refer to moral, professional, legal, or societal duties.

Forms of ansvar include personal responsibility, legal liability, organizational or corporate responsibility, and public responsibility. Personal responsibility involves acting in accordance with ethical norms and accepting the outcomes of one's choices. Legal liability is the obligation recognized by law to compensate for harm or breach of duty. Organizational or corporate responsibility refers to duties toward employees, customers, communities, and the environment. Public responsibility concerns the accountability of government agencies and public officials.

In practice, ansvar is often discussed alongside related concepts. Responsibility describes the duty to perform tasks and oversee results; accountability means being answerable to someone for results; liability denotes a legal obligation to bear the consequences of actions.

Etymology: The word derives from Germanic roots in Scandinavian languages, combining a notion of answering with a sense of duty or obligation.

Usage: In law, management, and policy, clarifying who bears ansvar helps set expectations and strengthen governance and trust. Debates continue about the scope and diffusion of ansvar, particularly for organizations facing environmental or social impacts.