Can business program graduates be a force for good in the world?
Andrew Gaudes, professor of entrepreneurship at the Goodman School of Business at Brock University, says yes.
Andrew Gaudes is an academic professional with extensive experience in various leadership roles in the field of business education. He has held positions as Dean of the Goodman School of Business at Brock University, and Dean of the Paul J. Hill School of Business and Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business at the University of Regina. He also served as President of the International Partnership of Business Schools (IPBS), a global consortium of twelve world-leading business schools in ten countries. He led the Goodman School of Business in forming the only partnership with United Nations for a paid internship placement of business students at UN agencies in the Global South and in assessing the societal impact of contributions made by the activities of the business school.
His research interest lies in virtual methods of collaboration, niche strategies, and crisis management. His work on virtual collaboration has led to creating teleworking opportunities for vulnerable populations and people with disabilities in regions of Central and South America. The work has contributed to telework declarations signed by governments in Peru, Costa Rica, and Colombia. He has participated on numerous international panels on virtual collaboration and the future of work, including a joint meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Dr. Gaudes has taught courses at the graduate and undergraduate level in management and entrepreneurship, in Canada and in Egypt, Ukraine, Trinidad and France. He has also developed and delivered online courses and curriculum as an adjunct for Michigan State University’s Virtual University.
Beyond the Bottom Line: How Business Schools are Shaping a Better World
Today, business schools are working to prove they’re doing more than just teaching business – they want to show they’re making a real difference in society. But how do you measure that?
For a long time, schools mainly tracked success by looking at things like how much graduates earn or how many land high-powered jobs. But as important as that is, it doesn’t tell the whole story. More than ever, schools are realizing they need to measure how they’re contributing to solving big issues like climate change, inequality, or sustainable development.
One system helping them do this is called the Business School Impact System, or BSIS. BSIS offers a framework for schools to measure their impact across different areas – not just on campus but in the broader community. It encourages schools to look at how their research is used, how they support local economies, and even how much they engage with their communities. BSIS challenges schools to look beyond traditional metrics and consider their broader influence.
The tricky part? Deciding exactly what to measure. Not all schools have the same opportunities or strengths, so they’re encouraged to focus on what they do best. For some, it might be tackling environmental sustainability or reducing their carbon footprint. For others, it could be improving access to education or advancing social mobility.
The ultimate goal is to redefine what success looks like. Business schools today aren’t just producing graduates who will thrive in the corporate world. They’re being called on to help tackle some of society’s most pressing problems. And in today’s world, it’s crucial that we hold schools accountable, ensuring they practice responsible management themselves.
By taking these steps, business schools can go beyond the bottom line and make a lasting difference in the world.
Leave a Reply