Calls to Disband Business Schools Due to Their Societal Impact

Professor Christopher Marquis, a seasoned educator who has taught at prestigious institutions including Harvard, Cornell, and Cambridge, advocates for the elimination of business schools. In his opinion, as expressed in The New York Times and on LinkedIn, these MBA programs prioritize profit-driven dealmaking over societal considerations. He asserts, “That’s not the institution failing; sadly, it’s the institution working.”

Marquis warns that business education not only imparts skills and networking opportunities but also influences how graduates perceive the world, favoring financial optimization at the cost of workers and communities. He highlights research suggesting that CEOs educated at business schools often yield benefits to shareholders while harming worker interests, with no real gains in productivity. In both the U.S. and Denmark, he claims that these educational programs promote a wealth transfer away from employees to shareholders, leaving students deserving of a broader perspective.