Management and Academic Research - Essay Example

Introduction Research is an intrinsic part of development. In the rapidly changing environment of globalization the dynamics of businesses have changed tremendously. The expanding new economies of the developing world have made the global market more challenging and interesting. Consequently, the academia across the world, especially in the area of management has changed hugely to meet the needs of the changing times. The compulsions of the present times require versatility in the work ideology and functioning, thus making it imperative that new skills and strategies are evolved to meet the emerging challenges with efficiency and unmatched proficiency. The professional courses in management and administration provide the requisite knowledge based curricula that are intended to meet the demands of the changing times. The research in the area, thus, becomes crucial and highly relevant to effectively meet the challenges of the emerging new paradigms of the business world. Main purpose Today, the management and academic research has become a vital issue within the academia and emerging new order of the business format. The academic format of research has long since been conducted as means to develop theories and theoretical models that could be used in the different business situations to optimise the performance and productivity. Though, the basic purpose of the research has remained the same but the rapidly changing environment of global business has made it necessary that the format of the management research must undergo certain changes and encompass close interaction between the two principals (management and academia research and business enterprises) so as to emphasize and resolve the conflicts and exploit the vast potential that are part of the changing paradigms of the highly competitive businesses across the world. Importance of research “Academic research … holds quality and excellence as ends in themselves” (Goldberg, 1996). Research is vital academic tool that promotes wider understanding of the issues and strategy formation ideas to address the needs of the present time and also help to meet the challenges of the changing socio-economic environment of the 21st century. Academic research, therefore, facilitates knowledge based socio-economic and managerial decisions that are essential part of the management of the business processes. The emerging new trends in the business has changed the socio-economic dynamics of the society, thereby making it more competitive and at the same time more complex with the challenges of the diverse demands that has emerged as a result of global values. The managerial research helps the academic world and the business community to creatively evolve skills and strategies that would meet the wider implications of the business acumen needed to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing times and to optimise the intended output, within the parameters of organizational goals and objectives. The research is also important to evaluate the existing modules of the various areas of business administration and help to analyse the needs and requirements of the changing business compulsions so that more innovative approach is encompassed in the business processes to meet the challenges of global and domestic competition. Current status of management research Universities and business schools across the world today, have digressed from the path of pure academic interests and have become commercial in their approach, goals and objectives. While the universities and business schools have introduced wide range of specialized areas in the field of management and administration, the research is one area that has seen the least improvement so far as innovative and creative research areas and research methodologies are concerned. According to Goldberg, the research still focuses on the theoretical stance, using quantitative methodologies to impress the academic peers, which clearly disregards the issues facing the business fraternity (Goldberg, 1996). The business school and universities are run as business houses with the main focus on the financial gains. The research too has lost its academic flavour and instead, it is now carried out to promote vested interests of the few elite business enterprises which are designed to be mutually beneficial so far as short term economic gains are concerned. The increasing privatization of the business schools, are a case in point. The researches carried in the circumstances are not generalized and thus, are unable to address the issues in the wider context of business development through innovative business processes and creative management style that could be applied across the board. Need for reforms/ changes in the management research format The increasing trend of commercialization of the academic aspect of higher education, especially with relation to the professional education in the field of management, has necessitated an urgent need for reforms in the academic research. Privatization of professional education is laudable so far as improving the access to skilled and knowledge based exposure is concerned but in the wider interests of the academia, the institutions must forego the need to cater to select business houses/ communities and take up research programmes which would serve the present and future generation of business communities. There is urgent need to reassess the basic objectives of the research and introduce criteria that would take into account the mutual interests of the two communities, vis-à-vis academia and business enterprises. The independence of the academic institutions in the management and academic research is a decisive factor for the institutions to maintain value based research programmes that would correctly reflect the changing paradigms of the business environment and help facilitate better options to address the emerging challenges in the dynamics of new business equations. Goldberg has correctly interpreted the academic relevance of the research when he said that ‘academic thinking is powerful and usable over long time frames’ (1996). But it is equally true that academic peers lack practicalities of the business situations that may require myriad solution techniques and creative inputs suited to individual events. In such cases, if the research is conducted with the inputs taken from environment of practical business operations, with clear understanding of the expected and unexpected implications of the business processes, the research would yield impressive results and conclusions that could be effectively applied to improve and improvise the performance of the enterprises, in general. Hence, there is need to introduce fresh impetus for management and academic research so that the whole global community can reap the advantages of advanced knowledge to optimize their business performance and objectives. Preferred change Goldberg has been quite effusive in his discussions for reforms in management and academic research formats. According to him the academicians and businessmen are persons who not only think differently but they have the tendency to act differently also. The academic peer scholars are mostly just too involved with their academic work and strive to attain excellence in their respective field through in-depth study and research programmes which are framed around issues and themes for the development of the society at large. The businessmen, on the other hand, are looking for ways and means to improve and promote their financial gains through business processes and innovative approaches in the increasingly competitive global business. The two diverse communities need to come together to forge an alliance that would effectively satisfy the common goals of serving the society. Academicians and businessmen must realize that their work is mutually complimentary and if the effective and long term solution to the emerging problems and conflicting situations are to be found, it is imperative that they must understand the dilemma that each of them face in their respective field and try to evolve ways and means so that they are in a better position to offer revolutionary solutions. The need for the new format is also necessary because in the present era of globalization, there is urgent need to create leadership and leaders within the organizations who would facilitate creation of global values and promote common goals. Henry Mintzberg, the renowned management guru, in one his interview to Vogi has said that the traditional MBA programs do not cater to real life situations and therefore they teach theories which have little practical use in the changing times. According to him ‘I have nothing against the MBA so long as its recognized for what it is, which is training in the business functions. … the fact that there are other ways to manage and, correspondingly, other ways to develop managers’ (Mintzberg, interview with Vogi). Conclusion The recent studies in the management and academic research have shown that new formats of research are both original and highly competent to address the diversity of the business programmes and business modalities. The inclusion of practicalities of the business processes and business situations, in the management and academic research, are proving to be the mantra of success for meeting the challenges of the changing times. The traditional format of research which originates as a result of curiosity and hitherto producing theoretical outcomes of fictitious business situations, is now being conducted under the new format that takes into account the real life situations and practical applications and repercussions of actions and reactions of business decisions. Hence, the new format of research, especially management and academic research has become more authentic and realistic which is more reliable and can be effectively applied in a wide variety of business situations. Reference Goldberg, Michael A. (1996). ‘The case against “Practicality” and “Relevance” as Gauges of Business Schools’. University of British Columbia. Vogi, A.J. Managerial Correctness. Interview with Henry Mintzberg. Available from: [Accessed 17 August, 2008]. Read More