Draw your organization! A solution-focused theory-method for business school challenges and change

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to present a solution-focused approach to current problems and criticisms faced by business schools.

Design/methodology/approach

To facilitate the required shift from problems to solutions, this study outlines a theory method and demonstrates how it has informed my teaching at Financial Times (FT)-ranked business schools and other institutions of higher education in two subjects and on three continents.

Findings

The study reports on two student exercises showing that even advanced business school students confuse organizations with political economic hierarchies.

Originality/value

The study concludes that business schools pursuing a smart specialization strategy by challenging this reductionist view may turn into new schools of management distinguished by a broader, multifunctional concept of themselves and their impact on their environment.

Citation

Roth, S. (2021), "Draw your organization! A solution-focused theory-method for business school challenges and change", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 34 No. 4, pp. 713-728. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-06-2020-0163