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A Transition Perspective for Business School Research and Education in China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 April 2021

Hao Tan*
Affiliation:
University of Newcastle, Australia Emlyon Business School, France
*
Corresponding author: Hao Tan ([email protected])

Abstract

In this perspective article, I draw on transition research that has been developed to account for the transitions in many socio-technical systems within human society, such as energy, water, and food. I argue that many ideas developed in transition research can be applied to the ecosystem of contemporary business schools in China for its transformation. Using the multi-level perspective (MLP) from transition research as an analytic framework, I examine the socio-technical system of business schools in China for understanding the main forces that may shape a potential transition of the sector. I also draw on transition management theory and insights from research on the politics of transitions for important conditions that are required to enable a transition in this specific context.

摘要

本文运用转型研究中的有关理念分析中国商学院系统的转型。转型研究是从研究能源、水、食物等人类社会中的各种“社会-技术体系”的转型发展起来的研究领域。本文采用转型研究中的多层次视角,分析影响中国商学院系统转型的主要因素。本文还基于转型研究中的转型管理理论和政治维度的研究,探讨在中国特定环境中商学院转型所需的条件。尽管有一些限制条件,这一转型观为分析和促进中国商学院研究与教育的转型实践提供了新的视角。

Аннотация

В этой статье, я предлагаю свою точку зрения и опираюсь на исследования переходных процессов, которые были разработаны для объяснения преобразований во многих социально-технических системах человеческого общества, таких как производство энергии, воды и пищи. Я утверждаю, что многие идеи, разработанные в исследованиях переходных процессов, могут быть применимы для преобразования в экосистеме современных бизнес-школ в Китае. Используя многоуровневую перспективу из исследований переходных процессов в качестве аналитической основы, я изучаю социально-техническую систему бизнес-школ в Китае для того, чтобы понять основные силы, которые влияют на потенциальные преобразования в этом секторе. Я также опираюсь на теорию управления преобразованиями и выводы из исследований в сфере политических преобразований при обсуждении некоторых важных условий, которые необходимы для обеспечения преобразований в данном конкретном контексте. Несмотря на ее полезность, я отмечаю ряд ограничений в теории переходных процессов для изучения сферы образования и научных исследований в бизнес-школах.

Resumen

En este artículo de perspectiva, me baso en la investigación sobre transición que ha sido desarrollada para dar cuenta de las transiciones en muchos sistemas socio-técnicos en la sociedad humana como es la energía, el agua, y la alimentación. Sostengo que muchas ideas desarrolladas en la investigación sobre la transición pueden ser aplicadas al ecosistema de escuelas de negocios contemporáneas en China para su transformación. Usando la perspectiva multi-nivel (MLP por sus iniciales en inglés) de la investigación sobre transición cómo un marco analítico, examino los sistemas socio-técnicos de las escuelas de negocio en China para entender las principales fuerzas que dan fuerza a una posible transición del sector. También me baso en la teoría gestión de la transición y los aportes de la investigación sobre la política de las transiciones para nuestra discusión sobre algunas condiciones importantes que son requeridas para facilitar una transición en este contexto específico. Pese a su utilidad, noto limitaciones en la perspectiva de transición en la educación y la investigación en escuelas de negocios.

Type
Perspectives
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The International Association for Chinese Management Research

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Footnotes

ACCEPTED BY Senior Editor Zhi-Xue Zhang

References

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