Beyond strategic convergence: Designing differentiation strategies for business schools in a multipolar world

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to show how contextual forces are at work that may help business schools escape from strategic convergence and the attached lock-in, thus giving room for differentiation among business schools in a multipolar world. We argue that specific institutional embeddedness and territorial market influencing may be the fundamental drivers of differentiations for business schools. We give insights about these types of differentiation that may be claimed by business schools to strengthen their relevance for societies, and be more recognized and valued by external evaluation.