Faculty Reflections on Social Innovation at Clark School of Business
Hello! I hope the semester is ending well for you.
The faculty of the School of Business at Clark University provides me with an invaluable perspective on the state of business education in general and the needs of our students in particular. I’d like to take a few moments to share several recent insights with you.
Regarding the research that he and his colleagues are doing, Associate Professor of Finance Sitikantha Parida says, “All of our faculty members are investigating sustainability and climate risk, and how companies are responding to these challenges. Our work is helping us to evolve and reshape our curriculum as we prepare students for a world where corporate responsibility is a must-have rather than a nice-to-have.”
Jing Zhang, Professor of Management, notes that technology is creating new opportunities for students across industries: “Big data is everywhere, and so are companies that need to translate their data into ethical decisions and tangible business value. Our job is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to be such translators, able to inform all aspects of an organization’s operations.”
Professor Laura Graves believes social innovation is a game-changer in business education: “We have to deliver more than core competencies in accounting, management, marketing, finance, and analytics. We must cultivate socially conscious business practitioners who are ready to lead responsibly.”
As I wrote to you last month, I believe our role as business educators is to prepare students for a lifetime of success founded on the principles of social responsibility, sustainability, and ethical business practices. It’s what our students expect and, increasingly, the world demands.
What are you hearing from your faculty about social innovation in business education? How is your school or department responding to the changing expectations of students? I’d love to touch base with you to compare notes and discuss our respective paths forward. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 508-793-7368 or aeisner@clarku.edu.
I hope we have an opportunity to connect soon. In the meantime, best wishes for a successful semester.
Regards,
Alan B. Eisner, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Business, Clark University
