Academics as Agents of Change?

ABSTRACT Over the last twenty years management courses offered in Australia have undergone considerable change. Most notable is the number of different programmes available and the varied content of these. However, in an environment which is changing rapidly, management education and its provision are under continuous review. Data gathered recently to examine the perceptions of academics in relation to management education, has drawn attention to an issue that warrants consideration. Should management academics be agents of change or should they simply make changes in response to new demands? The answer to this question has significant implications for the future development of management education. This paper seeks to examine the role that the management academic has in a situation of continuous change.