The article addresses the lack of focus, in the literature on work and communications technology, on the role played by communities of practice (CoPs) in mediating the impacts of technology change on work. It is argued that the particular characteristics of CoPs, the fact that they are regarded...

Much has been written about the positive contribution made by the customer to innovation in bespoke and low-volume products like those of construction. Far less attention has been given to the potentially corrosive effects the client might have on innovation. Drawing on three construction case...

Business schools face significant challenges in terms of faculty recruitment, retention and development, with datasuggesting that there are worrying shortfalls in terms of numbers of PhD students graduating and taking up facultypositions in UK business schools (Francis, 2005). Add to this...

[...]The report begins with an analysis of the historical development of management education in Britain since 1945. Thisis necessary for two reasons: first, to provide a context for understanding conflicting themes in current debates aboutbusiness schools; second, to emphasise that different...

Business schools, both in the UK and internationally, face serious challenges as to their future role and legitimacy.Questions have been raised about the value of the MBA degree, and its role as a preparation for management. Thegrowth of business schools as sites for knowledge production has...

UK business schools have grown rapidly over the last forty years1. Despite a tentativestart, when many commentators (including some vice-chancellors) appeared toquestion the status of management as an academic discipline, business schools havenow come of age. They account for a substantial...

Since the 1960s business schools have prospered in the UK. Now, however, there aresigns that the success story is coming to an end. The future of UK business schoolsis under threat from a number of directions. Their purpose is questioned – they areaccused of focusing on theoretical research at...

The article addresses the lack of focus, in the literature on work and communications technology, on the role played by communities of practice (CoPs) in mediating the impacts of technology change on work. It is argued that the particular characteristics of CoPs, the fact that they are regarded...