Browse the program of almost any major management conference and a clear pattern emerges: business schools now teach students how firms should solve society’s problems before they teach them how firms create value in the first place. Conference sessions devoted to sustainability, stakeholder governance, social impact, and public policy occupy an increasingly prominent place alongside marketing, finance, strategy, and operations. The Academy of Management, the largest professional organization for business scholars, reflects this evolution through both its conference programming and its growing emphasis on research that addresses society’s pressing challenges. The shift is also evident in business school accreditation. Accreditation standards likewise encourage schools to demonstrate “societal impact” and commitment to responsible management alongside excellence in teaching…
