Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University is the home of many of the business concepts taught and practiced around the world. The following is a brief overview of some of these principles embraced across the curriculum at the Weatherhead School of Management:
- Appreciative Inquiry: A revolutionary approach to strategic change and sustainable growth for organizations. Developed by Weatherhead faculty members David Cooperrider and Ronald Fry, appreciative inquiry is practice around the world to transform organizations, expand leadership vision, set strategy and enhance the power of teams.
- Digital Innovation: An effort to re-imagine familiar products and services using unique capabilities of digital technology. The concept focuses on creating radically different user experiences and new business models that were not previously possible. Unlike previous IT innovations that aimed at improving the performance of organizations in existing forms, digital innovation often aims at designing new forms that previously did not exist.
- Emotional Intelligence: The ability to understand, motivate, and develop yourself and others. Researched and developed by faculty member Richard Boyatzis, emotional intelligence competencies are incorporated throughout the programs at Weatherhead.
- Flourishing Enterprise: Vision that the primary aim of business should be to create well-being, happiness and wholeness. This concept reaches beyond sustainable value to the idea that businesses can be agents of world benefit. Flourishing enterprise argues that companies that do good in the world also do better financially, and that one does not have to sacrifice mission for profit, and vice versa.
- Healthcare Management: An understanding that mastery of managerial skills is key to efficient healthcare organizations. Weatherhead's faculty members are at the forefront of innovation and leadership in healthcare management. With a network of some of the best hospitals and healthcare organizations in the nation just steps away from our front door, you can build the relationships and expertise necessary to lead the way to positive change within the evolving world of healthcare.
- Intentional Change Theory: Outlines five common-sense steps that need to be followed if an individual wants to make a lasting change within one’s self. Developed by faculty member Richard Boyatzis, the five steps include: (1) Discover your ideal self; (2) Discover your real self; (3) Create your learning agenda; (4) Experiment with and practice new habits; and (5) Get support.
- Manage by Designing: The understanding that managers are designers who should be equipped with the latest concepts and tools for flexible, innovative thinking. This concept was pioneered by faculty members Fred Collopy and Richard Boland to use principles of design in business management.
- Social Entrepreneurship: Identifies areas of opportunity for the ambitious entrepreneur to invest and build a business that will contribute to the welfare of society while also being a profitable venture. Weatherhead and Case Western Reserve offer abundant resources for the aspiring entrepreneur to design and execute their new business venture.
- Sustainable Value: A concept advanced by the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit that holds enterprises should focus on sustainability to conduct business as a force for good. Defined by faculty member Chris Laszlo, the concept argues companies do better for their customers and stakeholders than they otherwise would when functioning in this way.
- Women in Leadership: A focus on providing exceptional support for cultivating personal strengths, building networks, and overcoming barriers. Using concepts directed by faculty member Diana Bilimoria, leaders and women aspiring to leadership positions will discover here the understanding, advice, and development opportunities they need to achieve their career potential, make significant contributions to their organizations, and maximize work-life balance.