Title: Rethinking the business school's value proposition: the coordination of learning networks

Authors: Pedro Ferraz De Andrade Augusto Dos Santos; Samir Lótfi Vaz; Angela França Versiani

Addresses: Fundação Dom Cabral, Av. Princesa Diana, 760, Alphaville, Lagoa dos Ingleses, 34000-000 Nova Lima/MG, Brazil ' Fundação Dom Cabral, Av. Princesa Diana, 760, Alphaville, Lagoa dos Ingleses, 34000-000 Nova Lima/MG, Brazil ' Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Av. Itaú, 525, Bairro Dom Cabral, 30535-012 Belo Horizonte/MG, Brazil

Abstract: In this paper, we argue that a model of education based on learning networks centrally coordinated by business schools arises as a solution to develop the organisational learning of participant companies. Given the wide range of ways in which business schools create value, we see these institutions as viable candidates to proactively design and coordinate networks focused on learning. A research framework was proposed to analyse how a learning network coordinated by a business school influences organisational learning. We used this framework as a guide to our interviews and to help us organise data processing activities. To understand the relations between participants and their perceptions of learning in such contexts, we conducted a case study with a Brazilian business school. Data collection consisted of informal conversations and semi-structured interviews. The participants demonstrated to have successfully implemented new management practices in their organisations from knowledge gathered with participation in formal activities and from socialisation with members of other companies. The observed effectiveness of this program shows us that learning networks have potential as a path to achieving a paradigm shift in executive education. Thus, learning networks should be considered when designing business schools' models of value creation.

Keywords: business schools; value proposition; network coordination; learning networks; organisational learning; executive education; management education; value creation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2017.084939

International Journal of Management in Education, 2017 Vol.11 No.3, pp.311 - 329

Received: 05 Apr 2016
Accepted: 02 Sep 2016
Published online: 09 Jul 2017 *

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