FT Michael Skapinker: Are Business Schools Destroying Business?
Published: February 22 2005 18:39 | Last updated: February 22 2005 18:39
Michael Skapinker Are business schools destroying business? A growing number of business school professors believe they are. Now one of their best-liked colleagues has added his voice, posthumously. Sumantra Ghoshal of London Business School died last year, aged 55, while still he was developing his critique of management educators and the damage they had wrought.
His paper, Bad Management Theories are Destroying Good Management Practices, published next month in the Academy of Management's Learning & Education journal, is among many pieces of Ghoshal's work that will resonate after his premature death.
The rest of the article is available on FT web site
Business schools stand accused of being responsible for much that is wrong with corporate management today
THIS is the time of year when MBA students run not from classroom to classroom but from interview to interview as they try to get the high-paying job that they expect their qualification to deliver. It seems that the demand for MBAs is now strong again, after four decidedly weak years. “The big eaters of MBA talent have regained their hiring appetite,” says Ken Keeley, director of career opportunities at Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business in Pittsburgh. At New York's Stern School, close to Wall Street, the number of jobs offered to this year's MBA class by the beginning of this month was double that at the same stage in 2004. Better still, average starting salaries in investment banking for Stern graduates were—at $95,000—up by $10,000 from a year ago.
But just as the market value of an MBA is reviving, its academic credibility is being attacked. In a forthcoming article to be published posthumously in Academy of Management Learning & Education, Sumantra Ghoshal argues that many of the “worst excesses of recent management practices have their roots in a set of ideas that have emerged from business-school academics over the last 30 years.”
Calls for Papers: Sociology & Economies in Transformation
Call for Papers: 'BEHIND THE SCENES' ASPECTS OF SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS: HIDDEN ACTORS AND FACTORS
The 7th Conference of the European Sociological Association
Torun, Poland, 9 - 12 September 2005
Deadline: before 15/02/05.
How & What:
Please email a 200-word abstract (1 max. per individual) in English to Ms Joanna Szalacha (joasza@tlen.pl) or to Mr Piotr Stankiewicz (piotrek@umk.pl). Make sure to include the paper’s title, the author(s)’s name and the desired title, institutional affiliation (both university and department), mailing address, email address, fax and phone number. Decisions concerning submitted abstracts will be communicated by March 31, 2005.
Context:
The post-communist countries’ systemic transformations, combined with globalization, provide a fertile ground for a rapid but often hidden change of the established rules of the game. These processes constitute a natural environment for diverse behind-the-scenes (BTS) activities by actors, who seek to promote their particular interests. Various interest groups engage routinely in illegal activities, contributing to the creation of a “gray zone” of democracy. Those intricate 'behind the scenes' activities in the context of a rapid system makeover are among the major causes of an acute crisis of democratic institutions in transitional societies.
The problems we would like address during our sessions include the following:
1. The influence of BTS activities on the privatization processes
2. BTS issues in the modern economy, including corporate crime, lawlessness of transnational corporations, price collusion and criminal cartels
3. Intelligence services as one of the key actors of political transformation in post-communist states
4. BTS issues in local and global politics
5. BTS undercurrents in globalization processes
6. The impact of BTS interest groups on technological change
7. The role of BTS activities in the area of research and development (R&D)
8. BTS aspects of dealing with risk
9. Theoretical foundations for a sociology of BTS phenomena
10. Methodology of BTS research
While it is possible to find some economic, legal and criminological studies related to the above listed issues, there is virtually no relevant research of a sociological nature. Even when sociologists are aware of these problems and talk about them in their everyday-life conversations, they seem to steer clear of this topic in their professional capacity. As a result, a crucial layer of social reality still awaits a systematic sociological exploration. It seams that some invisible barriers – psychological, methodological, ontological, etc – keep sociologists from investigating BTS phenomena. Our research stream might create an opportunity to question and surmount some of these barriers and start the work on viable theoretical approaches and methodological tools. The focus of this research stream will offer scholars an opportunity to meet and lay the groundwork for a new field of inquiry. Its importance will extend far beyond post communist or transitional societies.
There will be a maximum of 8 paper sessions, each of 2 hours duration. About 3-4 papers will be presented in each session.
More information about the ESA conference:Click here
"Shaping Tomorrow's Business Leaders Today: Changing Society by Changing Management Education"
You are invited to participate in the 2nd International On-line Conference for Business as Agent of World Benefit, February 24-25, 2005. This event will be held entirely on-line. In 2004, the First International Conference for B.A.W.B., brought together over 600 people from 50 countries to discuss ways that business is and can be a force for positive change in today's world.
This year's conference will use a similar format, but will focus on exploring ways that management teachers and scholars can shape tomorrow's business leaders by integrating business and society into the classroom.
Call for Submissions: We invite you to submit case studies, curriculum examples (including readings, syllabi, example assignments, etc.), dialogue starters, and workshop proposals that relate to the conference theme.
Invited keynotes:
Judith Samuelson is founder and Executive Director of the Business and Society Program at The Aspen Institute
Ellen Kallinowsky joined the United Nations Global Compact Office in June 2002 as head of the Learning Forum.
David Cooperrider is Professor and Chairman of the world inquiry for Business As An Agent of World Benefit, at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University
Michael Dupee is the Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters in Waterbury Vermont.
New EU-funded Project to Assess the Sustainability Performance of European Industry
ADVANCE (Application and Dissemination of Value-Based Eco-Ratings in Financial
Markets) is an international project supported by the EU LIFE Environment programme. The project is runned by the University of Leeds in association with the Institute for Futures Studies and Technology Assessment in Berlin (non-EABIS).
ADVANCE applies the Sustainable Value-concept on a large European scale for the first time. The Sustainable Value-concept allows to assess and manage sustainable performance similar to economic performance. For this purpose it makes use of the tools and techniques used in the financial markets to assess and manage economic capital. Sustainable Value allows to express the sustainable performance in monetary terms (e.g. in €). At the same time Sustainable Value acknowledges the complementarity of economic, environmental and social
capital. Put differently, Sustainable Value is based on what is called strong sustainability.
To demonstrate the applicability of the Sustainable Value-concept ADVANCE will assess the sustainable performance of European companies. The results will be published and presented at a range of conferences and workshops all over Europe.
The ADVANCE project will run until the end of 2006. ADVANCE brings together partners from academia and business from all over Europe.
Call for Proposals: Marie Curie Conferences and Training Courses
Call for proposals: Marie Curie Conferences and Training Courses
Issued by: European Commission, DG Research
Deadline: 18/05/2005
Average budget: between 180,000 EUR and 1,400,000 EUR (based on first call)
Start implementation: November-December 2005 (on average 6 months after deadline)
Statistics first call (2 deadlines):
347 proposals, 316 eligible, 31 funded (11%)
399 proposals, 373 eligible, 30 funded (8%)
Description/object of the call for proposals:
The European Commission has launched the second call for proposals for Marie Curie Conferences and Training Courses (FP6-2005-Mobility-4) as part of the Human resources and mobility activity area.
The second call is implemented as a ‘Series of Events’ (SCF) for the purpose of providing training primarily to researchers with up to ten years of experience. Projects (series of events: conferences and training courses) should enable junior researchers to benefit from the experience of leading researchers. Support will be given to specific training activities (including virtual ones) that highlight particular European achievements and interests.
This action concentrates on measures to support the organisation of coherent series of training courses and/or conferences with a specific training value, as well as the funding of the participation of eligible researchers in these events.
Events can last from a few days to a few weeks, and are to be presented as a single proposal by one or more organisers and covering one or more particular subjects.
The events should highlight either particular European achievements in research or alternatively research topics in which Europe has a strong interest and where the event contributes to its uptake in Europe. This means that the subjects to be discussed or taught should be those where recent advances achieved in the Member States or Associated States are worth being passed on to researchers in the early stages of their career, or those where recent advances achieved elsewhere, in topics of interest to Europe, need to be passed on to researchers from the Member States and Associated States. In both cases, the
foreseen composition of the audience and the identity of the speakers will be a factor in determining the Community added value.
These two top business schools will no longer provide BusinessWeek the opportunity to survey their graduating classes. An article on this and interesting discussion could be found at
Tender: Study on Practices and Policies in the Social Enterprise Sector
Call for tender:
A study on practices and policies in the social enterprise sector in Europe
Issued by: European Commission, DG Enterprise
Deadline:
08/03/2005
Estimated contract value:
150 000 EUR.
Duration of the contract or time limit for completion:
18 months.
Address from which tender documentation may be obtained (until 01/03/2005):
DG Enterprise and Industry, Directorate E, Unit E3 'Crafts, Small Businesses, Co-operatives and Mutuals', Att: Mr Albrecht Mulfinger, Re: Invitation to tender No ENTR/04/49, European Commission, SC 27 4/38, B-1049 Brussels. Tel.: +32-(0)2 295 3942. Fax: +32-(0)2 295 4590. E-mail: Entr-Craft-Small-Business@cec.eu.int
Description/object of the contract:
To conduct a study aiming at collecting information on relevant specific measures promoting social enterprises adopted by public authorities at national, regional or local level in European countries. The contractor's task will be to identify relevant existing measures and to supply the Commission with a brief description of these measures. The measures must cover the following fields: legal and organisational structure of social enterprises, their sectors of activity, their regulatory environment, access to finance or any other special policy measures supporting social enterprises.
At a second stage, based on the available information from the identification of measures promoting social enterprises, a number of measures should be selected as good practices in each country and described in detail by the contractor focusing specifically on good practices in the new EU Member States.
The study covers 25 countries of the EU, the EFTA member countries (Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland) and the applicant countries (Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey).
Details of action (2/2/2004 MAP, page 33-35):Click here
Definition:
For the EC social enterprises are not the same as cooperatives, although most cooperatives are probably included in the terminology of the EC.
Key characteristic of social enterprise is "to have a social and societal purpose combined with an entrepreneurial spirit of the private sector".
Requesting the tender documents probably will also clarify a lot (which are unfortunately not available online, which is nowadays normally the case for DG Enterprise tenders)
Competition: The mapping exercise needs to cover 31 countries, which is probably only feasible via a network of researchers or a group of independent experts.
The MAP document (see above) argues that "A specialised European network of academics, EMES, has conducted research into social enterprises in Europe, providing background information and numerous examples of social enterprises. The project will build on this work.
Citizens and Governance in a Knowledge-Based Society
Call for proposals: Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society
Issued by: European Commission, DG Research
Deadline: 13/04/2005
EABIS' view: The first call for proposals from the same scheme resulted in the financial support for the RESPONSE and CSR Platform projects, currently underway. EABIS has analysed the documentation of the second call for proposal and has concluded it will not respond to the call. However, the second call for proposals might provide interesting opportunities for EABIS members depending on expertise and fields of interest.
A short overview is given below of the most relevant issues. Contact Bart Neerscholten for further questions regarding the FP6 second call for proposals.
Tuesday 8 March, virtual info session on open call:
On 8 March at 14:00-16:30 CET, the European Commission organises an Online Information Session about the open calls for proposals of the 'Citizens and Governance in a Knowledge Based Society' Priority in FP6. The Session is for the benefit of researchers in the social sciences and humanities and can be followed from this website: http://dgresearch.netlantic.net/#
Here you can watch and listen to presentations and see the slides of the presentation. At the same time you can e-mail to the EC any questions you may have about the calls. Oe is able to see on the screen all questions and answers. The transmission will be in English, but questions may also be sent in French or German.
The video produced during this session will be available until 13 April. If you
cannot watch the presentation on 8 March from 14:00 you can see it and the
questions/answers at any time up to 13 April.
Information on the second call in relation to Business in Society:
The European Commission has launched the second call for proposals within Priority 7 of FP6 - 'Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society'.
EABIS has not detected interesting opportunities in the field of Business in Society for the FP6 instruments Networks of Excellence and Integrated Projects (FP6-2004-CITIZENS-4).
With regards to the instruments of STREPS (like RESPONSE) and Coordinated Actions (like CSR Platform) (FP6-2004-CITIZENS-5), the Work Programme Research Area 4.2.2 is closest linked with Business in Society. Work Programme, Research Area 4 is called “The implications of European integration and enlargement for governance and the citizen”. Subheading 4.2.2 is entitled: “Governance for sustainable development” (page 12 of work programme).
Focus of 4.2.2 is on sustainable development (environmental) and governance and their interactions. Text of 4.2.2: "The EU is committed both to improve its governance and to foster sustainable development. While ‘good governance’ and ‘sustainable development’ are broad concepts with broad political and public support they also involve possible tensions and conflicts. The objective is to explore the interactions between governance modes and sustainable development objectives in view of identifying what governance processes and institutions can best foster sustainable development within a European knowledge based society. STREPs and/or CAs should examine the relations between local, national, European (including implications of EU enlargement), and global governance in the management of environmental resources and in implementing sustainability; environmental security and options to deal with vulnerability of social groups and economic sectors to global environmental change. Research could also analyse how current policy ‘sectoralisation’ provides obstacles to, or can accommodate, an integrated approach to sustainable development (that is the pursuit of environmental, economic and social sustainability); the relations between different cycles –e.g. political, administrative and investment cycles- of short/medium term and the long-term perspective required by sustainable development approaches. Sustainable development also raises specific research issues in relation to democracy and the knowledge based society, e.g. citizens participation in setting sustainable development objectives and related policies, the role of knowledge in fostering sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, the tackling of distributive aspects across generations and social groups as well as between wealthy and poor countries (e.g. governance implications of concepts of inter- and intra-generational justice, and international fairness)".
EABIS applied for funding for the first call for proposals within Research area 5 (Articulation of areas of responsibility and new forms of governance). In the second call for proposals this research area does not offer interesting opportunities.
Full information package, the work programme, rules and preparation tools are available on:Cordis website
Interested parties for collaboratione-ISOTIS has experience in e-Inclusion, e-Accessibility, e-government, e-Learning access to knowledge and generally in the needs of people with disabilities and equal opportunities. In this context, and in case you plan to submit a proposal at any research area of ‘Citizens and governance in a knowledge based society’ with deadline 13th April 2005, e-ISOTIS is interested to support your project.
One could consider e-ISOTIS as potential partner or subcontractor in your initiative that will (any or all of the following):
anayse the user requirements of the actual end-users
support the running of the pilots and evaluation of project results,
assume full responsibility for reviewing the project on ethics and gender issues,
support you at transeuropean level on the dissemination,
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