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Business Education In The Present Society: Problems, Challenges And Solutions

Author

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  • Gurau Calin

    (Montpellier Business Schoo, Montpellier Research in Management)

Abstract

The popularity of business studies in today’s University system is clearly demonstrated by the number of candidates, places and specialisations available in higher education institutions. On the other hand, the existence of multiple social, economic and ecological crises raises valid questions regarding the content, purpose and focus of these studies for the wellbeing of the modern society. Despite the growing number of students enrolled or graduating in business studies, the present-day society is fraught with economic crisis, disequilibria and waste, which manifest at society, group and individual levels. Analysing the existent literature, the paper presents and discusses three main problems of the business studies available in higher education institution: focus on short-term profitability; fragmentation and specialisation; and, lack of connection with other types of studies. Emphasizing the importance of considering the role of business education from the perspective of a generalized and complex stakeholder analysis, the paper proposes four possible, interconnected solutions to the identified problems: business schools should become not only specialized institutions of teaching and learning, but also centres of knowledge creation and dissemination, oriented towards developing creative thinking and a holistic vision regarding the role and impact of business activities in the present day society; business schools’ curriculum should be modified to include, on one hand, information regarding the short- and the long-term impact of business decisions and activities on society and environment, and on the other hand, courses designed to increase the responsibility of business specialists for the harmonious development of the present day society (such as business ethics, ecological and equitable business, social corporate responsibility); business studies should adopt a more holistic, integrative approach, by including into the curricula methods of research and analysis derived from the theory of ecology and complex systems; the criteria for evaluating academic research in business studies should be centred around its impact on an extended set of socio-economic values, which go beyond simple profit maximization to include increasing and balancing stakeholder value, creating more social and economic justice at organisation, national and international level, and creatively solving the socio-economic problems of the modern society.

Suggested Citation

  • Gurau Calin, 2015. "Business Education In The Present Society: Problems, Challenges And Solutions," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(2), pages 583-590, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:ora:journl:v:1:y:2015:i:2:p:583-590
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    File URL: http://anale.steconomiceuoradea.ro/volume/2015/n2/068.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nada K. Kakabadse & Cecile Rozuel & Linda Lee-Davies, 2005. "Corporate social responsibility and stakeholder approach: a conceptual review," International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 1(4), pages 277-302.
    2. Rakesh Khurana, 2007. "Introduction to From Higher Aims to Hired Hands The Social Transformation of American Business Schools and the Unfulfilled Promise of Management as a Profession," Introductory Chapters, in: From Higher Aims to Hired Hands The Social Transformation of American Business Schools and the Unfulfilled Promise of Management as a Profession, Princeton University Press.
    3. Emerson Wagner Mainardes & Helena Alves & Mario Raposo, 2010. "An Exploratory Research on the Stakeholders of a University," Journal of Management and Strategy, Journal of Management and Strategy, Sciedu Press, vol. 1(1), pages 76-88, December.
    4. Abagail McWilliams & Donald S. Siegel & Patrick M. Wright, 2006. "Corporate Social Responsibility: Strategic Implications," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(1), pages 1-18, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    business education; stakeholders; problems; challenges; solutions; modern society;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M30 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Marketing and Advertising - - - General

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