ABSTRACT
The high heterogeneity of European cultures leads to a correspondingly high diversity of business, management and working styles. This chapter explores how European management is conceptualised and disseminated at one of the most quintessential European business schools: ESCP Europe. It argues that premise of 'maximum diversity – minimal distance' could actually develop somehow into 'minimum diversity – maximal distance'. The chapter focuses on the history of business schools and higher education in business and management and compared European education practices to those that are more prevalent in the USA. US and European business schools differ substantially not only in their teaching methods but also in their approaches to research activities. A. M. Kaplan's theoretical definition of European management implies that European managers need to have three characteristics, which are referred to herein as the '3Cs' of European managers: they must display Cross-cultural intelligence, integrate Corporate social responsibility into their decisions and be able to adapt quickly to Contextual diversity.
