The leadership challenge in universities: The case of business schools

Qualitative research based on in-depth interviews with seventeen deans of schools of business in US and European universities reveals that morale is higher than has been suggested despite great pressures on the deans' leadership and management abilities. The deans report spending an average of forty-five percent of their time working with external constituents and suffering from excessive workloads. They regard themselves as less powerful than leaders in business whilst being equally accountable financially. They see themselves as facilitators for their colleagues. Whilst acknowledging mistakes and the major scale of challenges ahead, most report a high degree of commitment and enthusiasm. There was no evidence of national cultural differences in organisation or attitudes. None of the deans experienced formal training and development to prepare them for their role. The study may provide some pointers to the possible content and appropriate means of delivering such provision.