Redesigning Business Schools: At the Interface of a World of Wicked Problems

Abstract

Business schools are facing collapsing boundaries among organizations, emergence of new business forms shaped by digital connectivity, and 'wicked' messes. Currently, business school scholarship, research, and curricula are largely geared towards a world of large corporations, stability, and relatively resolvable problems that no longer reflect a ubiquitously connected reality. We question how business school scholars can better address emergent needs and problems 'at the interfaces' where business schools themselves and organizations studied find themselves. Organizer Ian Mitroff (University of California, Berkeley) will argue that 'wicked messes' need to be foundational in business school curricula and scholarship. Sandra Waddock (Boston College) will discuss how wicked messes like climate change, inequality, sustainability, and jobs creation should influence research and curricula. Anne Tsui (University of Notre Dame, former AOM President) will share the work of a group of 24 leading scholars who have developed “A Vision of Responsible Research in Business and Management&x201D; white paper. Gerald F. Davis (University of Michigan) will discuss the business scholarship/education implications of increasingly irrelevant large corporations. Stella Nkomo (University of Pretoria) will add a perspective from the global South since the current debate has emanated from the global North. Stuart Hart (University of Vermont) will argue that although most major business schools have added initiatives, centers, or programs focused on sustainability, corporate citizenship, or social entrepreneurship, these issues are still insufficiently integrated. Robert E. Quinn (University of Michigan) will serve as discussant and synthesizer for the panel.