To Be or Not to Be… a Profession: Management Education and Its Discontents

The author discusses the criticisms directed at management education and argues that the causes of today's problems are rooted in the apparent disconnect between management academics and practitioners. It starts with an examination of management education and its discontents from past to present. Then, existing problems are analyzed in the categories of (a) relevance, (b) analytical versus soft skills, and (c) legitimacy. It is asserted that the problems can be overcome when management scholars and practitioners reconcile and exert their joint efforts on redefining management as a professional discipline. Suggestions are offered as to how to carry out this endeavor.