This book channels the debate on the relevance, value, and future of business schools. While some see very little or no hope at all to the future of the Business School as a legitimate centre for research and education, others remain critical, but see a way forward to rectify today’s concerns, such as around sustainability and inclusivity.

Part I. Background and introduction.- Chapter 1. Introducing the Debate on the Legitimacy of Business Schools (Riina Koris and Anders Örtenblad).- Chapter 2. (De)legitimacy of Managerialism within Business Schools (Katariina Juusola). - Part II. Attacking status quo.- Chapter 3. Business Schools in Their Ideological Prison: Why Sustainability Challenge Is Our Next Legitimacy Crisis (Kimmo Alajoutsijärvi, Katariina Juusola, and Kerttu Kettunen).- Chapter 4. The Reflexive Impotence and Neoliberal Neurosis of the Responsible Business School (Nikodemus Solitander).- Chapter 5. Business School Burnout: Endangering Legitimacy on Pathological Pathways (Volker Rundshagen). - Part III. Rocking the boat of status quo, etc.

“This important and sobering collection of essays on the modern business school will provoke debate and may inspire needed change. If you believe, as I do, that today’s professional schools have an obligation to help address society’s most pressing challenges through the pursuit of actionable research and practical education, you will find much value in this book.”   —Amy C. Edmondson, Professor, Harvard Business School, USA “Provocative in parts but nonetheless evoking questions for business school leaders to reflect upon in deciding what to change to regain legitimacy where deemed lost; or what to retain to defend the status quo where deemed apt. Brilliant!” —Enase Okonedo, Professor, Vice-Chancellor, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria “Business schools have become a key part of the landscape of contemporary higher education. However, their role is proving increasingly controversial. This book demonstrates why thisis so and what needs to change. This book takes us to the heart of the problems business schools face which are, alas, very much of their own making.” —Ken Starkey, Professor of Management and Organisational Learning, Nottingham University Business School, UK This book channels the debate on the relevance, value, and future of business schools. Could the Business School be like the Titanic, thought to be unsinkable, but ultimately doomed? Or is it a ship which can adapt to the changing waters it sails in? In this book, authors from around the world debate the current and future legitimacy of the Business School from different contexts and perspectives. While some see very little or no hope at all to the future of the Business School as a legitimate center for research and education, others remain critical, but see a way forward to rectify today’s concerns, such as around sustainability and inclusivity. Anders Örtenblad is Professor of Working Life Science at the School of Business and Law, University of Agder, Norway, and Professor II at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway. Riina Koris is Associate Professor in the Department of Marketing and Communication at Estonian Business School.

“This important and sobering collection of essays on the modern business school will provoke debate and may inspire needed change. If you believe, as I do, that today’s professional schools have an obligation to help address society’s most pressing challenges through the pursuit of actionable research and practical education, you will find much value in this book.” (Amy C. Edmondson, Professor, Harvard Business School, USA) “An intriguing read, this book offers different perspectives on the raging debate, with only one solitary defence of the business school as is, despite the criticisms. Provocative in parts but nonetheless evoking questions for business school leaders to reflect upon in deciding what to change to regain legitimacy where deemed lost; or what to retain to defend the status quo where deemed apt. Brilliant!” (Enase Okonedo, Professor, Vice-Chancellor, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria) “Business schools have become a key part of the landscape ofcontemporary higher education. However, their role is proving increasingly controversial. This book demonstrates why this is so and what needs to change. This includes a broader definition of purpose beyond a focus on helping individuals and corporations to maximize only their own self-interest. Business schools need to demonstrate that they can become part of the solution to the excesses of a Darwinian form of capitalism that is actually destructive of long-term value broadly defined. They need to demonstrate that they have the potential to be a source of education innovation responsive to the needs of business and society. Only then will they have a legitimate claim to a continued existence. This book takes us to the heart of the problems business schools face which are, alas, very much of their own making.” (Ken Starkey, Professor of Management and Organisational Learning, Nottingham University Business School, UK)

Channels the debate on the relevance, value, and future of business schools Includes contributors around the world and a number of backgrounds to give a comprehensive debate on business schools Offers no editorial conclusions or answers, beyond the furtherance of the debate and its value to scholarship