Reimagining Business Schools for the 21st Century

We are going through a period of accelerating economic, political and social change. Like all organisations, business schools and universities urgently need to respond to these changes and cannot afford to stand still.

As it celebrates its 60th anniversary, Alliance Manchester Business School has published a collection of thought-provoking essays outlining how business schools can play a significant role in confronting the significant local and global challenges of today.

Featuring contributions from leading business figures such as Sir Terry Leahy and eminent academics such as Sir Cary Cooper, our blueprint outlines how business and management research can not only help address grand challenges such as climate change and regional inequalities, but also help generate economic growth, inform policy development, and define business thinking for the next generation.

For instance, business schools must remain relevant and competitive at the technology frontier. They must play their part in creating the foundations for a more productive economy. And academics need to work across ever more disciplines to have real societal impact.

Business schools of the 21st century also need to reaffirm their commitment to their local communities. Indeed, one of the key drivers of Alliance Manchester Business School's foundation 60 years ago was to help local businesses and industries prosper, an ethos that remains just as true and important today.

Professor Ken McPhail, Head of Alliance Manchester Business School