Reimagining Business and Management as a Force for Good

Join us to hear Professor Nelarine Cornelius explore how EDI must evolve and adopt a more inclusive approach (including incorporating social mobility).

The event centres around a 2024 article of the same name, 'Reimagining business and management as a force for good', authored by Professor Nelarine Cornelius, Professor Ken McPhail, Professor Mario Kafouros, and Professor Peter McKiernan which was published in the journals special issue on reimagining business and management.

Businesses are facing increasing pressure to address significant global challenges, from environmental concerns to social inequalities. With corporations wielding considerable influence, their role in shaping society is under close examination. Issues like climate change, the spread of misinformation, and workplace inequality are creating complex problems.

While businesses have the potential to contribute to solutions, a fundamental shift in how they operate is needed. This includes a more thorough understanding of the interlinked challenges we face.

Business schools, in particular, are being called upon to lead this change to remain relevant. Adding to this complexity, debates around workplace inclusion (DEI/EDI) are becoming increasingly politicised, particularly in the United States, raising concerns about potential setbacks in diversity and equality efforts.

In this lecture, Nelarine Cornelius will explore how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI/EDI) must evolve to remain central to corporate strategies. She will argue that a more inclusive approach, incorporating social mobility, is essential to mitigate the growing backlash against these initiatives.

Furthermore, Nelarine Cornelius will examine the need for business schools to adopt a broader, more globally representative perspective.

Traditionally, academic literature and teaching have predominantly focused on US and European companies and markets. However, with the rapid growth of markets in Africa, India, and Asia, a shift towards a more inclusive and geographically diverse curriculum is imperative.

The panel will discuss the above questions amongst others with audience participation.

Speaker: Professor Nelarine Cornelius

Nelarine Cornelius holds a range of research interests including inequalities and social justice.

She was formerly co-Vice Chair and Board Member of the British Academy of Management, and Vice-President and Companion of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Currently, she is a trustee of National Life Stories, an oral history charity at the British Library, and Fellow of several institutions in the UK, including the Academy of Social Sciences.

As well as her academic work, she has acted as a consultant and adviser to a range of organisations in the public, private and social sectors. Currently, she is an advisor to both Business in the Community, the King’s Responsible Business Network, and the Government of Wales.

Further information

There will be refreshments served from 5pm with the opportunity for networking before the lecture.

Free, booking required

This event will take place in person in partnership with the University of Manchester. If you have any questions about this event, please email [email protected].