Critical Management Studies (CMS)

Picking up on the AOM 2022 theme of (Co-)Creating a Better World Together, we propose a panel symposium that argues for the need to catalyze system transformation and provide insights into how that catalytic process works. The panel of though leaders argues that multiple levels of change are needed: individuals as self and scholar, in management education, teaching, research, and theory and that it can be enhanced by the work of emerging new entities called transformation catalysts. Panelists will take the following perspectives: Joan Marques (Woodbury U) will evaluate Buddhist concepts as foundational pillars of awakened leadership. Andrew J. Hoffman (Michigan) will address concern over capitalism's inability to deal with systemic programs and the need for examining the foundations of management education. Chris Laszlo (Case Western), building on Hoffman, will discuss the use of prospective theorizing, evaluating possible (better) futures as a catalyst for transformation. Bobby Banerjee (City, U London), noting that the pandemic has upended "normal" and possibly provided a basis for a more just and flourishing world. Finally, Sandra Waddock (Boston College) will explore the emerging role of transformation catalysts to catalyze transformation among a wide variety of actors collectively towards socio-ecological flourished aimed at making the world better.