Draw your organization! A solution-focused theory-method for business school challenges and change

Purpose: This study aims to present a solution-focused approach to current problems and criticisms faced by business schools. Design/methodology/approach: To facilitate the required shift from problems to solutions, this study outlines a theory method and demonstrates how it has informed my teaching at Financial Times (FT)-ranked business schools and other institutions of higher education in two subjects and on three continents. Findings: The study reports on two student exercises showing that even advanced business school students confuse organizations with political economic hierarchies. Originality/value: The study concludes that business schools pursuing a smart specialization strategy by challenging this reductionist view may turn into new schools of management distinguished by a broader, multifunctional concept of themselves and their impact on their environment.