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Business Schools Should Be Schools Of Management: An Evolutionary Perspective, Kai Peters, Howard Thomas Jul 2023

Business Schools Should Be Schools Of Management: An Evolutionary Perspective, Kai Peters, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This chapter looks at the original driving forces which led to the creation of institutions, particularly in the US, including the vision of their founders which would support our perspective in favour of schools of management. It looks at the years following the Second World War and how the Ford and Carnegie ‘Foundation Reports’ as well as the Cold War led to further evolution away from a school of management to a business school mission. The chapter looks at the period roughly from 1970 to 2000 during which US business school funding, which had been largely provided by the foundations, …


Perspectives On The Impact, Mission And Purpose Of The Business School, Eric Cornuel, Howard Thomas, Matthew Wood Jun 2023

Perspectives On The Impact, Mission And Purpose Of The Business School, Eric Cornuel, Howard Thomas, Matthew Wood

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This book explores the impact and purpose of the business school, and addresses some of the most important questions facing management education today. The diverse perspectives brought together by the EFMD in this volume examine a number of common questions, themes and challenges. These include: whether business schools should be viewed as schools of management, given the complexity of the business environment; what is the positive impact of business school research, and the balance of relevant, practical impact and academic rigour; the strategic evolution of business schools and how they may evolve in a more purposeful direction; and why business …


Leading Business Schools, Julie Davies, Howard Thomas, Eric Cornuel, Rolf D. Cremer Jan 2023

Leading Business Schools, Julie Davies, Howard Thomas, Eric Cornuel, Rolf D. Cremer

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Business schools are critical players in higher education, educating current and future leaders to make a difference in the world. Yet we know surprisingly little about the leaders of business schools. Leading a Business School demystifies this complex and dynamic role, offering international insights into deans’ dilemmas in different contexts and situations. It highlights the importance of deans creating challenging and supportive learning cultures to enhance business and management education, organizations and society more broadly.Written by renowned experts on the role of the dean, Julie Davies, Howard Thomas, Eric Cornuel and Rolf D. Cremer, the book traces the historical evolution …


Business School Sustainability Revisited: Sustainable No More?, Kai Peters, Howard Thomas Jan 2023

Business School Sustainability Revisited: Sustainable No More?, Kai Peters, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Kai Peters and Howard Thomas reflect on their 2011 Global Focus article, “A Sustainable Model for Business Schools”, and 2018 book, “Rethinking the Business Model of Business Schools”, and update the thoughts and developments since then.


Perspectives On The Mission, Value And Impact Of The Business School, Howard Thomas, Howard Thomas Jan 2023

Perspectives On The Mission, Value And Impact Of The Business School, Howard Thomas, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The business school has been an important success story in the evolution of the modern university. Yet it is increasingly valued in that context “much more for its managerial expertise, cash generation ability and financial strength than its intellectual vigour and scholarship. Indeed … its legitimacy as a serious academic discipline is critically questioned by scholars in science, arts and the humanities” (Thomas, Lorange and Sheth, 2013, pp 52/3). Rakesh Khurana (2007) argues that business schools have become the ‘hired hands’ of business and have abandoned any pretence of fulfilling goals of developing a cadre of professional managers as proposed …


Leading A Business School, Julie Davis, Howard Thomas, Eric Cornuel, Rolf D. Cremer Jan 2023

Leading A Business School, Julie Davis, Howard Thomas, Eric Cornuel, Rolf D. Cremer

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Business schools are critical players in higher education, educating current and future leaders to make a difference in the world. Yet we know surprisingly little about the leaders of business schools. Leading a Business School demystifies this complex and dynamic role, offering international insights into deans’ dilemmas in different contexts and situations. It highlights the importance of deans creating challenging and supportive learning cultures to enhance business and management education, organizations and society more broadly. The book traces the historical evolution of the business school deanship, the current challenges and future sources of disruption. The leadership characteristics and styles of …


Lee Kong Chian School Of Business Year In Review 2021-2022, Singapore Management University Dec 2022

Lee Kong Chian School Of Business Year In Review 2021-2022, Singapore Management University

SMU Corporate Reports

As Singapore and the world reopens, this has led to changes, especially as people feel safe to travel abroad again. This has impacted us of course. We have seen an 8.9 percent drop in undergraduate applications from our 2022 high. This decline is due in no small part to the relaxation of travel restrictions. However, despite the drop, the quality of applications this year is similar or maybe even slightly better than the year before. In the end, we matriculated 884 students, above our target. This includes 38 scholarship recipients who accepted our offer, representing a record yield. We have …


A Zero-Based Cultural Perspective On Dealing With The Hybrid Reality Of Teaching In Business Schools, Susan Fournier, Howard Thomas Jul 2022

A Zero-Based Cultural Perspective On Dealing With The Hybrid Reality Of Teaching In Business Schools, Susan Fournier, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Susan Fournier and Howard Thomas explore a new business school future, question existing approaches and identify and examine five core issues.


Value And Purpose Of Management Education: Looking Back And Thinking Forward In Global Focus, Eric Cornuel, Howard Thomas, Matthew Wood Jan 2022

Value And Purpose Of Management Education: Looking Back And Thinking Forward In Global Focus, Eric Cornuel, Howard Thomas, Matthew Wood

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Without a doubt, business schools have been a success story in higher education over the last 50 years (the period of EFMD’s existence). Even so, they have come under scrutiny, and attack, over their academic legitimacy and value proposition for business and society. In this book, drawn from a special issue of Global Focus, the EFMD has selected around 25 of the best, most thoughtful short papers published in Global Focus to examine the role and purpose of EFMD in the evolution of management education. Each of the chapters interpret current strategic debates about the evolution of business schools and …


Lee Kong Chian School Of Business Year In Review 2020-2021, Singapore Management University Dec 2021

Lee Kong Chian School Of Business Year In Review 2020-2021, Singapore Management University

SMU Corporate Reports

The last 12 months have been a roller coaster for Singapore and the world. Vaccines initially offered what seemed to be a clear way out of the Covid-19 pandemic but the more transmissible Delta variant has complicated matters considerably. However, despite the many challenges that the school has faced, I am happy to report that we have had a very good year overall. First of all, after a thorough and grueling process, the school received its EQUIS re-accreditation that will be valid for five years. The school has also received re-accreditation from AACSB International this year as well. The re-accreditation …


Examining Business School Leadership, Julie Davies, Ewan Ferlie, Heather Mclaughlin, Howard Thomas Feb 2021

Examining Business School Leadership, Julie Davies, Ewan Ferlie, Heather Mclaughlin, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Business school leaders are ‘squeezed’ by a range of internal metrics. These metrics focus on a micro-managed narrow range of key performance indicators (KPIs) to raise revenues, research, and rankings. This style of financial centralised control has, in many cases, distracted deans and their teams from seriously addressing long-standing crises that the current global pandemic has brought to the fore. This article captures discussions from EFMD’s webinar on business school leadership which is part of “the future of the business school” seminar series.


Lee Kong Chian School Of Business Year In Review 2019-2020, Singapore Management University Jan 2021

Lee Kong Chian School Of Business Year In Review 2019-2020, Singapore Management University

SMU Corporate Reports

We all knew that 2020 would be an extraordinary year for the Lee Kong Chian School of Business. It marks our 20th anniversary of our first entering cohort of undergraduates! What no one imagined was that this year would also be extraordinary because of the global pandemic. Despite it being a challenging year, it is safe to say that we have come through the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in reasonably good shape.


How To Develop Collaborative Projects That Drive Innovation, Paul Carlile, Steven Davidson, Howard Thomas Jun 2020

How To Develop Collaborative Projects That Drive Innovation, Paul Carlile, Steven Davidson, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Boston University’s Questrom School of Business is creating an innovative approach to identifying co-operative ways to improve business education.


The Complexity Of Business Schools, Kai Peters, Howard Thomas Jun 2020

The Complexity Of Business Schools, Kai Peters, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Kai Peters and Howard Thomas wonder how long business schools can survive the growing complexity of their industry.


Apply Liberally: Towards A Model Of Liberal Management Education, Howard Thomas Feb 2020

Apply Liberally: Towards A Model Of Liberal Management Education, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Howard Thomas argues the case for integrating the liberal arts into management education so that the existing curricula emphasis on technological and analytical acumen is balanced with skills of critical thinking and ethical intelligence necessary for managerial judgment.


Lee Kong Chian School Of Business Year In Review 2018-2019, Singapore Management University Jan 2020

Lee Kong Chian School Of Business Year In Review 2018-2019, Singapore Management University

SMU Corporate Reports

It’s been my privilege and honour to serve as your Dean for the past five years. As I complete five years, it offers an opportunity to reflect on our collective accomplishments to becoming a leading business school in Asia. I am delighted to report that the Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB) has continued its trajectory of growth and impact. Whether it is in our programmes, in our research, or in our engagement with industry, LKCSB shines brighter than ever.


What Should Business Schools Be For?, Howard Thomas, Kenneth Starkey Sep 2019

What Should Business Schools Be For?, Howard Thomas, Kenneth Starkey

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Howard Thomas and Kenneth Starkey report on a new initiative that looks to business schools to re-orient themselves to a challenging new future.


The Future Of Business Schools: Shut Them Down Or Broaden Our Horizons?, Ken Starkey, Howard Thomas Jun 2019

The Future Of Business Schools: Shut Them Down Or Broaden Our Horizons?, Ken Starkey, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Ken Starkey and Howard Thomas report on a groundbreaking workshop that debated the mounting criticism of business schools and where they might go from here.


Lee Kong Chian School Of Business Year In Review 2017-2018, Singapore Management University Jan 2019

Lee Kong Chian School Of Business Year In Review 2017-2018, Singapore Management University

SMU Corporate Reports

I am happy to report that our faculty and staff have eagerly stepped up for this challenge to become Asia's best business school ! Let me take the opportunity to highlight a few initiatives: Delivering innovative, transformative learning experiences; creating opportunities for research with impact; and cultivating and deepening our Asian partnerships.


Latin America: Management Education’S Growth And Future Pathways, Gabriela Alvarodo, Howard Thomas, Lynne Thomas, Alexander Wilson Jun 2018

Latin America: Management Education’S Growth And Future Pathways, Gabriela Alvarodo, Howard Thomas, Lynne Thomas, Alexander Wilson

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The book Latin America: Management Education’s Growth and Future Pathways [Emerald, UK] follows a past, present and future perspective on the growth of management education in the region. In this article for Global Focus we highlight some of the key findings from our study of its evolution and look at current issues facing the continent.


The Business Of Business Schools, Kai Peters, Howard Thomas, Richard Raymond Smith Jan 2018

The Business Of Business Schools, Kai Peters, Howard Thomas, Richard Raymond Smith

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The authors suggest that while much has been written about business schools from historical and critical perspectives not enough has emerged from an additional viewpoint – the lens of the business of business schools.


Rethinking And Re-Evaluating The Purpose Of The Business School, Howard Thomas Jan 2017

Rethinking And Re-Evaluating The Purpose Of The Business School, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Without doubt, business schools have been one of the success stories of higher education over the past 50 years. Even so, over the past decade management education has come under attack over both its legitimacy as a serious academic discipline, and its failure to professionalise management. Perhaps now is an opportune time, therefore, for management educators to reflect on the value and purpose of business education and address the real issue of how to innovate to improve student learning about both the theory and practice of management.


Dynamic Capabilities And The Business School Of The Future, Howard Thomas, Peter Lorange, Jagdish Sheth Oct 2014

Dynamic Capabilities And The Business School Of The Future, Howard Thomas, Peter Lorange, Jagdish Sheth

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Business schools need to focus more clearly on their dynamic capabilities in order to re-invigorate and re-develop themselves and their students.


Management Education: The Path Behind And The Road Ahead, Howard Thomas May 2014

Management Education: The Path Behind And The Road Ahead, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Despite these identity struggles and occasional moments of crisis, business schools have grown in popularity over the years and are resilient to fluctuations in the economy.


Future Scenarios For Management Education, Howard Thomas, Michelle P. Lee, Alexander Wilson May 2014

Future Scenarios For Management Education, Howard Thomas, Michelle P. Lee, Alexander Wilson

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Business schools are facing unprecedented challenges, ranging from financial sustainability in some quarters to waning demand for the MBA to the potentially disruptive impact of massive open online courses. Given these challenges, how might the future of management education unfold? The purpose of this paper is to better understand how leaders in management education perceive these challenges and their likely impact on the evolution of the field. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with 39 experts, the majority of who were in leadership positions at business schools. Each of these in-depth interviews was tape-recorded, transcribed and then content-analysed. The authors asked …


The Future Of Doctoral Education In Business Administration, Arnoud Cyriel Leo De Meyer May 2013

The Future Of Doctoral Education In Business Administration, Arnoud Cyriel Leo De Meyer

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Doctoral education in business administration needs to change in order to cope with the fast growing demand for PhD holders, who can teach and perform research at a high quality level. Additionally, society has a rapidly growing need for knowledge workers who have a doctoral education or an equivalent. The traditional apprentice approach may not be able to cope with that demand. Society has also criticized the inefficiency and cost associated with the current model of PhD education in management or business administration. The purpose of this paper is to provide a reflection for leaders in business education on how …


Business School Evolution: Media Insights And The Future Outlook, Gillian Goh, Michelle P. Lee, Howard Thomas Jan 2013

Business School Evolution: Media Insights And The Future Outlook, Gillian Goh, Michelle P. Lee, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Over the last two decades business schools and management education have received much attention in the media – witnessed by the boom in media rankings and the myriad topics discussed. Global events, such as the global financial crisis, have often been the precipitator of intense scrutiny of management education and calls for its reform.


Environmental Influences: Reflections On The Globalization Of Management Education, Arnoud De Meyer Apr 2012

Environmental Influences: Reflections On The Globalization Of Management Education, Arnoud De Meyer

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Globalization of management education seems to have become the natural way to go for management and business schools. Almost every week one can find in the specialized press another announcement about an overseas campus, a new international partnership or a major research tie up. But announcing an international venture is easy, implementing is the challenge. The purpose of this paper is to provide some advice on how to implement globalization. This paper is based of the author's own experience with INSEAD, the University of Cambridge and Singapore Management University, as well as his observations of many other business schools. It …


The Legitimacy Of The Business Of Business Schools: What's The Future?, David C. Wilson, Howard Thomas Jan 2012

The Legitimacy Of The Business Of Business Schools: What's The Future?, David C. Wilson, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The purpose of this paper is to examine some challenges facing business schools and their continued legitimacy. Particular attention is paid to the problems of accreditation, regulation and rankings and how these constrain strategic choice. The paper builds on existing literature to provide an analytical overview of the challenges currently facing business schools. The paper assesses the current context of business schools and assesses to what extent they are becoming less relevant both in terms of practice and theories. It suggests changes business schools might make in order to increase relevance. The paper suggests that business schools should change their …


A Sustainable Model For Business Schools, Howard Thomas, Kai Peters Jan 2012

A Sustainable Model For Business Schools, Howard Thomas, Kai Peters

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the financial models used by business schools, with a specific focus on the cost side of the model. The paper systematically looks at sources of revenue and areas of expenditure under different business school models. The paper finds that the faculty model used by many business schools, with the need to devote significant effort to generate academic publications, is very cost intensive and not efficient. The paper suggests that alternative models can be developed which would make business schools more financially sustainable. While there has been a lot of societal …