Global Strategy - blog

Traditionally, two separated processes have driven the accumulation of business knowledge. First, since the early founding period of the 1950-1960s business schools have become increasingly rigor (i.e. ‘scientific’) both in research and teaching. Ultimately this has lead into serious isomorphism between leading schools (and a wave of imitators) around the globe. The positive side in this process is the intensified competition and resulting enhancement in professionalism. Clearly, these processes have raised business schools beyond their parent disciplines in social sciences. However, (as always) isomorphism has also leaded to dangerous discipline-driven narrowness of scope and a gap between practice and academia.

Second, and related to the above situation, instead of business schools, many fundamentally new ideas are produced in think tanks such as RAND Corporation, Santa Fe Institute and the global consulting houses and their filial organizations such as BCG’s Strategy Institute. All these organizations are characteristically interdisciplinary and driven by intelligent questions regarding business and society.

The driving idea in Glostra is to create a virtual think tank by integrating multiple disciplines into one large community of practice. The (modest) aim of Glostra is to bridge the scientific community and business via conducting research, helping researchers understand business realities and executives to understand the opportunities and boundaries in academic research.

So far, the dialogue has been successful inside the boundaries of the research group and the peers originating some of the most innovative Finnish corporations. The next step is to create a revolutionary strategy platform for the entire Finnish-based industrial community using the latest web-based socio-technical solutions. A blog is a good way to start. :)