Santiago Iñiguez De Onzoño and Salvador Carmona
The purpose of this paper is to address the lack of relevance of business school research and how the potential gap between research and practice may be related to the lack of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address the lack of relevance of business school research and how the potential gap between research and practice may be related to the lack of interaction between faculty members and non-academic stakeholders (e.g. industry, professions, society).
Design/methodology/approach
The review of the extant literature in this area is combined with the experiences and discussions with business school leaders from around the world.
Findings
The problematization of the lack of relevance of business school research leads us to conclude that it is a case of reward folly; the authors hope for relevance to external stakeholders but the authors reward for relevance to academic stakeholders. Drawing on Stokes’ (1997) research taxonomy, the authors conclude that business-school research should combine internal and external validity, which would involve business school faculty performing rigorous and relevant research, and interacting with practitioners; that is, an “academic triathlon”.
Social implications
Faculty members should conduct research and teaching activities as well as interact with industry, and act to disseminate their research findings among external stakeholders. Consequently this should have implications for both the academic structure at business schools and the resources available to faculty members. Proceeding in this way will result in the narrowing of the gap of understanding between faculty members and management, and ultimately, to bridge the gap between contemporary versions of the Agora and the Academe.
Originality/value
The authors provide a taxonomy of stakeholders of business school research and outline changes in the structure of business schools, resources provided to faculty members and impact on accreditation agencies.
Details
Keywords
Santiago Iñiguez De Onzoño and Salvador Carmona
The purpose of this paper is to propose a “change” stance towards the current situation of business education. Drawing on a theoretically embedded model, the authors hold a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a “change” stance towards the current situation of business education. Drawing on a theoretically embedded model, the authors hold a critical stance towards understandings of stability in the business education industry. In this respect, a model of change drivers is proposed for the industry and the authors elaborate on how business schools enact responses to comply with change pressures. Compliance with those pressures enables business schools to gain legitimacy from stakeholders and enhance their survival prospects.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors’ theoretically‐informed analysis draws on a combination of literature review and personal observations of business schools’ behavioural patterns.
Findings
The authors submit that the business school industry experiences four main sources of change: multi‐polar competition, new organizational species, content and mode of education and institutionalization. These sources of change impact on the fading margins of business schools. Drawing on the insights of the evolutionary model, the authors suggest that business schools engage in a process of continuous change and adaptation to these sources of pressure. In this manner, they conform to the adaptation model featured by the Red Queen metaphor; business schools must keep running and moving in order to stay in the same place.
Practical implications
The paper proposes a roadmap of main change drivers, which business schools may take into consideration to provide a systematic response to environmental changes.
Originality/value
In contrast to authoritative statements and elaborations on the situation of the business education industry, the paper provides a theoretically informed, systematic model of change.
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Santiago Iñiguez de Onzoño and Salvador Carmona
The purpose of this paper is to argue that recent changes in the wider contexts of universities and business schools signal a shift in their business model instead of a mere turn…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to argue that recent changes in the wider contexts of universities and business schools signal a shift in their business model instead of a mere turn in their business cycle.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews the position of those that hold a traditionalist view of the business model of business schools and comments on the extent to which such a model applies to the ever‐changing conditions that are a feature of the environment of institutions of higher learning.
Findings
The paper argues that the process of globalization augments the effects of five sector‐specific forces on the business model of business schools. Additionally, the paper identifies some structural factors that business schools might wish to address in order to cope with changes occurring in their wider environments.
Originality/value
In addition to structural measures, the paper proposes a number of specific actions that business schools may implement to maintain and/or gain competitive advantage.
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Paul R. Carlile, Steven H. Davidson, Kenneth W. Freeman, Howard Thomas and N. Venkatraman
Paul R. Carlile, Steven H. Davidson, Kenneth W. Freeman, Howard Thomas and N. Venkatraman
During the 1920s, military interests in Latin America and international and diplomatic relations gave the impetus to the creation national airlines. In countries like Colombia and…
Abstract
During the 1920s, military interests in Latin America and international and diplomatic relations gave the impetus to the creation national airlines. In countries like Colombia and Brazil, the technological and commercial approaches of Germany and other Europeans nations influenced the forms airlines took. In the following decade the United States began to exert its influence which was consolidated after the Second World War. The pattern continued until the 1980s and involved strong international regulation, the predominance of publicly owned national airlines, and American technological leadership. Market liberalization then brought about a new scenario involving privatizations of national airlines across the region, intensified competition, and mergers and acquisitions that led to the formation of large carriers. Today, passenger traffic in the region is dominated by two carriers: LATAM and Avianca. Other local airlines remain, often linked to a global alliance member. Air traffic has been grown, with the prospect of further growth after economic recovery flowing the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, commercial air traffic has adapted to the needs of its vast territory but where institutional changes have played a very important and often decisive role.
Carlos M. Baldo, Richard Vail and Julie Seidel
The aim of this article is to describe Huawei's internationalization process in Venezuela and show how socio-political and economic conditions helped to expedite the company's…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this article is to describe Huawei's internationalization process in Venezuela and show how socio-political and economic conditions helped to expedite the company's development in this Latin American nation between 2006 and 2019. Through this internationalization process, Huawei participated in a large technological transition in Venezuelan telecommunications.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses an integrative approach, developing a quasi-case study from a review of the academic literature, contemporary news stories and institutional and practitioner documents.
Findings
The review indicates that Huawei was engaged in business with the Venezuelan phone company before its renationalization. Secondly, Huawei's internationalization was a beneficiary of the increased relations between the Venezuelan and Chinese governments, mainly through “oil for loans/goods” agreements. Lastly, this internationalization process includes wholly owned subsidiaries, direct export, greenfield and government joint ventures.
Practical implications
This research provides an understanding to other firms and strategists about the benefits of strong bilateral economic relationships between home and host countries.
Originality/value
This paper is among the first academic articles that describe the internationalization process of Huawei in Venezuela. Considering the host country's changing political and economic conditions during the last 20 years, such research may provide a perspective for considering other Chinese business expansions in Venezuela and Latin America.