On the Importance of Being Earnest about Business: Overcoming Students’ Misconceptions about Leadership in Corporate Change Processes

Ariane Berthoin Antal; Meinolf Dierkes

Ariane Berthoin Antal and Meinolf Dierkes

Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB), Germany

Volume 1 Issue 1: 2004, pp. 165-184; ABSTRACT

Unfortunately, most students leave university with little knowledge about decision-making in the private sector, unless they study business. As a consequence, student perceptions of the business world are largely shaped by the fads and stereotypes propagated in ubiquitous business journals and bestsellers. Business plays an integral role in society, so unfamiliarity with business may have global social consequences. This article illustrates how an area studies course in a liberal arts program employs a case study about a corporate transformation process to provide students with insights into corporate leadership and strategic decision-making. The article describes how, by using the case study in conjunction with articles about organizational learning theory, students learn to challenge myths about heroic leadership and the newest management fads. The course also draws out the role organizational politics plays in developing and implementing new visions, organizational structures, and global strategies.

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