Thought Leadership

From Curriculum to Community: Expanding the Influence of Business Schools

“You can’t stop technological change, but you can shape it.” That is the key message of Power and Progress according to its authors, Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson. After researching 1,000 years of technological change, the authors conclude that, contrary to widespread “techno-optimism,” advances in technology do not automatically translate into broad-based prosperity. If we… Read more >

To Change the World, Let’s Change the Way We See It

“What do the three exhibits in the figure below have in common?” That is one of many interesting questions posed by Daniel Kahneman in Thinking Fast and Slow, which brought together decades of research by the author, Amos Tversky, and many others. I have been recommending the book to practicing managers since it was published… Read more >

Two New Forces Shaping the Globalization of Management Education

“Finally, a global business school goes local.” About 15 years ago that was my reply to a reporter when she asked me about a new program by well-known US business school. Funded by an alumnus, the program was to connect MBA student teams to small businesses in the economically distressed neighborhood surrounding school. I tried… Read more >

CoArt CoAct – Sustainability Through Art

“…under certain conditions, however, art—which not only reflects social reality but also criticizes society, thus forming it—is suited to the diagnosis and cure of its ills.” (Arnold Hauser 1985, “Society as the Product of Art”, The Sociology of Art. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, p. 310) “No one ever made a decision because of a… Read more >

Business Education and the Inevitable Change

Just like in business, in business education the winds of change are always blowing. Unlike business, however, these winds usually seem to pass without significantly impacting the industry. In recent years, however, the pressures have been mounting. And the Covid-19 pandemic has spread the view that profound change is inevitable.

Africa Powering Digital Transformation

Digital transformation plays a central role in the sustainable development of Africa. Yet the continent does not yet have the tech talent to enable this transformation. How do we develop the skills to support the needed investment? How can business, academia, government, and civil society work together to create an environment that unlocks the full potential of Africa’s aspiring entrepreneurs? Can business schools and universities take the lead in connecting diverse talent needed to accelerate innovation? The fifth and final session in the Talent for Africa series aimed to answer these questions.