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Investigating whether UK business schools need to be more business-like in order to survive in today's dynamic environment

Lucill Curtis (Essex Business School, University of Essex, Colchester, UK)
Martin Samy (Leeds Business School, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK)

International Journal of Educational Management

ISSN: 0951-354X

Article publication date: 5 August 2014

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify whether UK business schools need to change their strategy, to adopt a more business-like approach, without compromising their role as providers of “quality education”. Business-like activities, as explained by Dart (2004, p. 294) are generally understood to be those characterised by some blend of profit motivation, the use of managerial and organisation design tools developed in for-profit business settings, and broadly framed business thinking to structure and organise activity.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a mixed methods research design, this study involved the review of quantitative data from questionnaires sent to senior managers within UK business schools, followed by the case-study analysis of five UK-based business schools.

Findings

Contemporary evidence suggests business schools have reacted to the current dynamic environment by adapting a more business-like approach, scanning the horizon and identifying new markets and opportunities for growth. However, some business schools remain ardently against a more business-like approach, considering it to work against academic clarity and research excellence, expected of universities.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates the current challenges influencing strategy within five diverse UK business schools. Therefore, the original contribution of the paper lies in the authors’ empirical investigations into the current thinking and practice of existing business school leaders, in light of the changing HE policies and reduced funding arrangements.

Keywords

Citation

Curtis, L. and Samy, M. (2014), "Investigating whether UK business schools need to be more business-like in order to survive in today's dynamic environment", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 28 No. 6, pp. 728-750. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-08-2013-0133

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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