Qualitative research based on in-depth interviews with seventeen deans
of schools of business in US and European universities reveals that m
orale is higher than has been suggested despite great pressures on the
deans' leadership and management abilities. The deans report spending
an average of forty-five percent of their time working with external
constituents and suffering from excessive workloads. They regard thems
elves as less powerful than leaders in business whilst being equally a
ccountable financially. They see themselves as facilitators for their
colleagues. Whilst acknowledging mistakes and the major scale of chall
enges ahead, most report a high degree of commitment and enthusiasm. T
here was no evidence of national cultural differences in organisation
or attitudes. None of the deans experienced formal training and develo
pment to prepare them for their role. The study may provide some point
ers to the possible content and appropriate means of delivering such p
rovision.