Welcome from the Dean

As Dean of the University of Auckland Business School, I am privileged to work alongside and bear witness to the development of the individuals whose ideas will impact business and management in the future.

Professor Susan Watson, Dean of Business and Economics
Professor Susan Watson, Dean of Business and Economics

Business is the principal engine of value creation through innovation and entrepreneurship, economic success through productivity and sustainable businesses, and through enterprises succeeding in international markets. It is about creating forms of value from ideas that can extend beyond financial to social and environmental value.

Business is about taking innovative ideas and making them a reality through creating start-ups and new ventures, and ensuring their long-term success by growing them into productive and sustainable businesses. Business is also about equipping people with the skills and mindset to provide effective and ethical leadership and governance.

Business has the potential to bring about transformational change, solve societal challenges through innovation and collaboration, and improve the world.

We are living in an era of unprecedented technological advancement and disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the world as we know it. Faced with such economic uncertainty, there are few who doubt that better business practices are needed to create a strong economy, and without economic prosperity there is little chance of significant improvements in health, wellbeing, social justice or equity.

For example, business is key to the success of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, through the development of new business models, sustainable business practices, and ethical responsible leadership. Business education and research is about solution seeking and developing the know-how to turn those ideas and solutions into real outcomes.

What business can achieve is determined by the people who control and operate businesses, the models and structures we use for business, and the societal context in which business operates.

Here at the University of Auckland Business School, we want to inspire and enable our students to be innovative and independent thinkers who become strong and collaborative ethical contributors and leaders.

When you choose to study with us, you will be taking the first step to becoming a lifelong friend of the Business School and a member of our global network and community that provides the backbone to our business ecosystem. This network encompasses students, alumni, partner organisations and New Zealand and international business and academic communities.

At the Business School, you will have access to some of the leading researchers in the world who focus on sustainable value creation in an increasingly digitised world. We are the home to ten research and engagement centres, including the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Energy Centre, the Centre of Digital Enterprise, and Velocity, our innovation and entrepreneurship programme.

Our people, our teaching and our research have a real impact on our communities. In doing so we are helping to shape the futures of people and organisations for the benefit of Aotearoa New Zealand and the world.

I invite and welcome you to join us.

Professor Susan Watson
Dean of Business and Economics