An analysis of the environment and competitive dynamics of management education

Purpose – The paper seeks to identify the key environmental forces and competitive drivers influencing the strategic management of a business school, and to give guidance about strategic choices as the business school evolves in the new knowledge economy. Design/methodology/approach – Analytic tools such as PEST analysis and competitive analysis are used to provide a model and framework for dialogue about strategic choice. Findings – The influence of demographic, technological, entrepreneurship and globalisation drivers provides a series of implications for competitive action and strategic choice. In the current environment it offers a school strategy of a rigorous academic research profile informed and guided by practice. This is favoured over a more professional agenda. Originality/value – The paper reviews and updates the literature on future strategies and scenarios for business schools from an analytic perspective.