Law and Business: Comparative Perspectives

Abstract

This chapter is an assessment of the place of law in the contemporary business education, specifically from the perspective of Indian institutions. The chapter attempts to capture the debate on the structure and treatment of the business law and the challenges of integrating the same in the broader context of business education. A survey of the literature reveals that despite the importance attached to the study of law in the business education, there has been a literal absence of quality debate and discussion on its content and treatment in the Indian academia. Drawing on and comparing with the decades of debate in the US academia on “place of law in business school curriculum,” the paper shall start with an overview of the function and importance of law in the society at large, and specifically to the business. Thereon, the paper looks at the substantive aspects of the course on law in the business school curriculum, with the specific focus on the content and pedagogy suitable for an introductory business law course. The chapter shall also briefly dwell on the question of the appropriateness of teaching ethics through law.