Abstract: This article presents a solution-focused approach to current problems and criticisms faced by business schools. In order to facilitate the required shift from problems to solutions, I outline a theory-method and demonstrate how it has informed my teaching at FT-ranked business schools and other institutions of higher education in two subjects and on three continents. I report on two student exercises showing that even advanced business school students confuse organizations with political economic hierarchies. I conclude that business schools pursuing a smart specialisation 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.
Keywords: Business schools; social systems; tetralemma; multifunctional organization.
The ahead-of-print version of the article is available on the journal website or for download here.
Suggested 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 [SSCI 1.185, Scopus, CNRS**, FNEGE**, CABS**].
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