The Strategy Capstone is a unique course at business schools around the world. It is expected to reinforce students’ prior learning in core business disciplines, to introduce theories and tools of strategic management, and to provide experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for their future careers. As emerging technologies and pedagogical innovations reshape business education, the Capstone must evolve to meet these challenges while maintaining its integrative role. The Strategy Capstone PDW brings together an international panel of scholar-teachers to address foundational challenges and emerging developments in Capstone education. The panelists represent diverse perspectives that range from senior chaired professors to emerging scholars. The interactive discussion and audience Q&A will cover such topics as: innovative teaching methods and final deliverables; the increasing importance of artificial intelligence in strategic management, both as a teaching tool and as a subject of study; integration of sustainability frameworks and objectives (e.g., UNPRME); and opportunities to enhance cross-functional integration among various business disciplines and student experiences. Building on the success of the first Strategy Capstone PDW in Boston 2023, the three co-moderators bring a combined 40+ years of experience teaching capstone and inter-disciplinary classes. The session aims to strengthen our community of Strategy Capstone educators while advancing traditional best practices and creative approaches to enhance student learning outcomes.

In his groundbreaking study, Adam Smith highlighted how self-interest and competition are key drivers of economic development and enhance the well-being of society (Smith, 1776). Over a century after Smith, Pigou presented the concept of externalities (Pigou, 1920) describing them as the unaccounted costs or benefits affecting uninvolved parties, thus underscoring a potential tension between economic growth and societal welfare. On the other hand, innovation is introduced as a crucial driver for economic prosperity and growth at the macro level (Schumpeter, 1934). Yet, this primary engine of growth also plays a role in intensifying major issues like climate change and social inequalities, which emerge as unintended consequences of economic progress. At the organizational level, balancing sustainability with innovation can also create conflicts.

This symposium discusses how innovation can help tackle these critical sustainability challenges