Rotman School of Management

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

News Archive Index

E-mail This Page

Rotman School Develops a New Model of Business Education
for the 21st Century

TORONTO, September 8, 2000 -- The first day of classes for most university students is decidedly a low-key affair as they adjust their timetables and find their classes. But first-year MBA students at the University of Toronto's Joseph L. Rotman School of Management will have to hit the ground running on Monday as they are thrust into the first module of "Introduction to Integration," a program that begins the School's efforts to re-invent business education. For four days from September 11th to 14th, students are immersed in an innovative series of exercises and simulations designed to develop their ability to think integratively across the functional areas of the business world. The sessions will also give students an overview of the Rotman MBA program.

"The current model of business education was developed at the Harvard Business School in 1908 and has changed little since," says Rotman Dean Roger Martin. He adds that the traditional model divides business into a number of functional areas such as marketing, finance or organizational behaviour. Although this model formed the foundation of business education and provided global leadership in the field for almost a century, it has inherent flaws that are becoming ever more exposed as the new economy takes shape.

"The fundamental problem is that business problems do not often lie within the boundaries of individual functional areas, but rather sprawl messily across the functions," explains Martin. " At Rotman we are taking the lead in developing 'Business School 2.0' - a modern evolution of the traditional business school model."

In addition to the first week of classes, six additional days of "Introduction to Integration" will be included in the first-year MBA curriculum during the school year in conjunction with courses in the functional areas. Dean Roger Martin will lead the integration program with support from Rotman's talented faculty, including:

Ramy Elitzur, Executive Director, MBA Program, and Associate Professor of Accounting;

Mihnea Moldoveanu, Assistant Professor of Strategic Management;

John Oesch, Assistant Professor of Organizational Behaviour, and;

Tim Rowley, Assistant Professor in Strategic Management and Business Ethics.

Also taking part in the module for first-year students are organizational psychologists Dr. Peter Stephenson and Dr. Lyz Sayer.

Two integration courses, "Organizational Strategy" and "Learning How to Learn" are offered to second-year MBA students.

"Our MBA Program will continue to provide students with a solid background in the functional areas. More importantly, through the integrative modules and in every course students will learn how these disciplines interrelate when applied to real-world business challenges. This cross-functional, integrative approach lies at the heart of the newly evolved Rotman curriculum," says Martin.

This new direction in business education has already received significant financial support. A new academic unit was recently founded by a $10 million (CDN) gift from the Canadian Credit Management Foundation. The Canadian Credit Management Foundation Centre for Integrative Thinking will bring together internationally renowned scholars to provide the resources to redesign business education for the new century. The Centre is a cornerstone of the Rotman School's vision to rank among the top 10 business schools in the world within seven to 10 years. The CCMF gift provides two endowed chairs in integrative thinking and entrepreneurship, and a visiting scholars program. A portion of the funds is proposed to go towards building and equipping the physical premises of the new academic unit and the launch of a new academic journal on integrative thinking.

"The complexity of today's management environment demands leaders who can think in new ways," says CCMF President and CEO Marcel Desautels. "CCMF is thrilled to be able to help make Roger Martin's vision for business education a reality and to be a part of an initiative that will have such far-reaching effects."

The Joseph L. Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto offers programs and leading-edge research in all disciplines and fields of management.

Considered one of the leading business schools in the world, the Rotman School offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including the prestigious Rotman MBA and Executive MBA Programs, a first-rate Doctoral Program, the distinctive Master of Management & Professional Accounting, a combined LLB/MBA, and a series of Executive Education Programs tailored to the current needs of businesses and individual managers.

-30-

For further information, please contact:

Ken McGuffin
Manager, Media Relations
Rotman School of Management
Voice: (416) 946-3818
Fax: (416) 978-1373
E-mail: mcguffin@rotman.utoronto.ca

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .