Giving Businesses What They Need

Abstract

It is time for a preliminary look at how political science, both in its teaching and research components, can contribute to meeting the needs of the business community. The business sector has generally been bypassed, or even ignored, by many political scientists whose applied connection tends to focus on the governmental sector. This is quite understandable for the links forged between political science and government are obvious. Not so obvious, but nevertheless of growing importance, is the link between the business community, academic business schools, and the discipline of political science. The strengthening of this link will become more feasible as the global economic arena becomes the norm in which business is conducted in a manner in which understanding of foreign political situations is critical. If this assumption is valid, we will expect to see increased demand for political scientists, especially those whose subspecialties are international relations and/or area studies. Another fertile subset of political science that can prove useful to business is policy science. Since policy science frequently crosses multidisciplinary lines in its analysis of programs and policies, it is one subspecialty that should have an easier time forging new links to business. Bobrow aptly notes that policy issues do not respect entrenched disciplinary boundaries that owe their existence . .to the rigidities of academic institutions (Bobrow 1987, 6). For this reason, policy analysts do not need to be convinced to venture outside of their discipline as might be the case for the political theorist. We are also reminded that policy analysts are often called upon to practice the art of persuasion as they present their analyses to those in government (Majone 1989, 9). This skill is certainly useful to successful interaction with a business community that frequently uses persuasive techniques to its advantage. Finally, policy analysts are particularly well suited to serve business because they are already sensitive to the ..,. realities with which and must live and work (Hofferbert 1990, 19). Replace the words politicians and administrators with business people and managers, and we have a good fit between the policy analyst and business. In short, the policy analyst is accustomed to rubbing shoulders with those outside of his discipline in matters of research. Meeting this nascent demand, however, does not mean that the business community will be banging on our office doors. This is because the business community views its needs in an applied manner and generally perceives academics as unable to produce results that can be rapidly absorbed by their personnel and managers. In short, what we produce in the form of research is regarded as not relevant to their needs. This is unfortunate, for many political scientists do have years of accumulated knowledge that, if channeled in an applied manner, can be of enormous practical use to the business community.