Chapter 2 Business and Management Schools in Times of Crisis and Austerity: Choices and Dilemmas

Purpose – The primary purpose of this chapter is to explore the potential implications of the 2008 banking crisis for university business and management schools and to reflect upon the organizational and pedagogic possibilities highlighted by the changes discussed.

Design/Approach – The chapter draws upon an extensive literature review.

Findings – The chapter argues that the crisis has long-term, profound implications for practitioners, policymakers, and political elites as well as those working in higher education business and management education. The authors suggest that these changes have yet to be clearly understood or appreciated across the sector and that they represent a severe test for elites working in universities.

Research implications – The chapter describes a possible organizational model for business schools and explores a different paradigm for public management education in universities.

Originality – The chapter is intentionally speculative.