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• Business schools can use digital tools to reduce repetitive tasks, improve decision-making, support faculty well-being, and track societal impact initiatives.
• AI-driven platforms enhance research by enabling faculty to analyze vast amounts of data, collaborate with peers more efficiently, and automate processes for grant applications.
• Elsevier supports business schools on their digital transformation journeys with solutions that streamline faculty recruitment, track research projects, measure impact, and support decision-making.

 
Business schools today are navigating a landscape marked by rapid change, heightened competition, and increasing expectations from students, faculty, and society at large. The pressure to secure funding, attract top talent, and deliver world-class research and teaching has never been greater. At the same time, administrative burdens are mounting, often pulling academics away from their core mission of educating future business leaders and advancing knowledge.

In this environment, digital transformation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Institutions that embrace digitalization are not only streamlining operations and reducing costs, but also enhancing faculty well-being, supporting sustainability goals, and positioning themselves for long-term success. But how can business schools adopt the latest trends and best practices in digital transformation? And how can they use technology to reshape operations and drive institutional impact?

The Growing Complexity of Business School Operations

The operational challenges facing business schools are multifaceted. Competition for funding and grants is fierce, requiring schools to demonstrate impact and efficiency. Faculty and staff often are overwhelmed by administrative tasks, from managing research outputs to navigating complex promotion and tenure processes. This administrative overload can lead to burnout, hinder recruitment and retention, and ultimately impact the school’s ability to deliver on its mission.

Moreover, the expectations placed on business schools are evolving. Stakeholders—including students, employers, and accreditation bodies—are demanding greater transparency, accountability, and evidence of societal impact. Sustainability has emerged as a critical focus, with schools expected to lead by example in addressing global challenges such as climate change and social inequality.

Digital Transformation: A Strategic Imperative

Against this backdrop, digital transformation has become a strategic imperative for business schools. According to recent research, a vast majority of academic leaders now view digitalization as essential to their operational strategy. The adoption of digital services and platforms is enabling schools to:

• Reduce manual and repetitive tasks. Automating processes such as faculty activity reporting, research management, and student services frees up valuable time for academics and administrators.
• Enhance data-driven decision-making. Integrated digital platforms provide leaders with real-time insights into faculty performance, research impact, and resource allocation.
• Support faculty well-being and retention. By minimizing administrative burdens, schools can help prevent burnout and create a more attractive environment for top talent.
• Drive sustainability and societal impact. Digital tools enable schools to track and report on their contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other sustainability benchmarks.

Best Practices in Digital Transformation

While the benefits of digitalization are clear, successful transformation requires more than just adopting new technologies. Business schools leading the way in this area are following four best practices:

Modernizing legacy systems. Many institutions are moving away from fragmented, paper-based processes in favor of integrated digital platforms. For example, digital faculty information systems can centralize recruitment, promotion, and activity reporting, providing a holistic view of academic contributions across teaching, research, and service. These systems not only streamline workflows, but also support accreditation and strategic planning.

Fostering a culture of digital engagement. Technology adoption is most effective when faculty and staff are engaged and feel supported. Leading schools invest in regular training and professional development to ensure that users are comfortable with new tools and understand their benefits. Building buy-in across the institution is critical to realizing the full potential of digital transformation.

To embrace digital transformation, business schools must modernize systems, foster a culture of digital engagement, leverage AI for strategic advantage, and prioritize sustainability.

Leveraging AI for strategic advantage. Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly emerging as a game-changer in business education. From automating routine administrative tasks to providing personalized learning experiences, AI is helping schools operate more efficiently and deliver greater value to students and faculty. For instance, generative AI tools can assist academics in creating lesson plans, synthesizing research, and identifying funding opportunities—saving time and enhancing productivity.

Prioritizing sustainability in operations. Sustainability is increasingly central to the mission of business schools. Digital technologies can play a key role in advancing sustainability goals, from optimizing energy use in campus buildings to tracking progress toward the SDGs. Schools also are using data analytics to measure and communicate their societal impact, which is becoming an important factor in rankings and student recruitment.

Emerging Trends in Business Education Operations

As digital transformation accelerates, several trends are shaping the future of business school operations:

Integrated research management. Schools are adopting platforms that bring together data on research outputs, collaborations, and funding, which enables more effective management and reporting. This is particularly valuable for large, interdisciplinary projects that require coordination across departments and institutions.

AI-powered insights. New AI tools are helping schools analyze vast amounts of data to identify trends, benchmark performance, and uncover opportunities for growth. For example, AI can surface insights about research impact, collaboration networks, and emerging areas of expertise.

Enhanced faculty experience. By automating time-consuming processes such as tenure reviews and grant applications, schools are freeing up faculty to focus on teaching, research, and service. This not only improves job satisfaction but also supports recruitment and retention.

Sustainability reporting and impact measurement. With growing pressure to demonstrate societal value, schools are investing in tools that track and report on their contributions to sustainability and social responsibility. This includes mapping research and teaching activities to the SDGs and other frameworks.

Case Study: Streamlining Faculty Workflows

As an illustration of how digitalization can benefit an institution, consider a business school with hundreds of faculty members. In the past, committees overseeing tenure and promotion decisions had to review boxes of printed materials that had been compiled manually by faculty members.

Today, digital platforms allow faculty to upload their work electronically, while committees can access and evaluate materials online. This not only saves time, but also reduces the risk of data loss and ensures a more transparent and equitable process.

Similarly, research management systems can automate the collection and validation of publication data, reduce errors, and ensure that faculty receive proper credit for their work. Centralized platforms also facilitate collaboration, making it easier to assemble teams for grant applications and to track project progress.

Sustaining the Institution

In addition to providing the benefits described above, digital tools can help business schools maintain institutional sustainability in several broad areas:

• Financial resilience. By identifying diverse funding sources and optimizing resource allocation, digital tools help schools weather economic uncertainties.
• Talent retention. AI-driven systems create supportive environments that attract and retain top faculty and staff.

AI tools support institutional objectives such as financial resilience, talent retention, workforce development, and global engagement.

• Workforce development. Graduates who master digital and analytical skills will be highly valued by employers.
• Global engagement. Digital platforms enable a school to build partnerships and collaborations that enhance its impact and reputation.

Digital transformation supports all these objectives by providing the tools and data administrators need to make informed decisions, measure progress, and adapt to changing circumstances.

The Future of Business School Operations

As business education continues to evolve, digital transformation will remain at the heart of operational excellence. Schools that invest in modern, integrated systems and foster a culture of innovation will be best positioned to navigate the challenges ahead.

The journey is ongoing, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, the experiences of leading institutions demonstrate that a strategic approach to digitalization—grounded in best practices and aligned with institutional goals—can deliver significant benefits in terms of efficiency, sustainability, and impact.

The Role of Elsevier

At Elsevier, we are committed to supporting business schools on their digital transformation journeys. We help institutions streamline operations, enhance research management, and drive sustainability through four solutions:

• Interfolio streamlines faculty recruitment, promotion, and activity reporting, providing leaders with a comprehensive view of academic contributions.
• Pure integrates research management, enabling schools to track outputs, manage grants, and support collaborations.
• SciVal offers advanced analytics for strategic decision-making, helping schools identify opportunities and measure impact.
• Scopus and ScienceDirect AI provide AI-powered insights and research discovery tools, accelerating knowledge creation and supporting evidence-based decision-making.

Digital transformation is reshaping the operational landscape of business education. By embracing technology, business schools can reduce administrative burdens, enhance efficiency, and drive sustainability—empowering faculty and students to focus on what matters most. As the pace of change accelerates, those who invest in digital innovation will be best equipped to thrive in an increasingly competitive and complex world.