In my opinion: Institute of Management companion Ray Wild, principal of Henley Management College, predicts changes in relations between businesses and their educators

With the emergence of 'corporate universities', the dominance of the internet in learning and the current review of business schools by the newly DfEE-created Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership, business schools and their relationship with businesses are now, more than ever, being put under the microscope.

True, the relationship between business and business schools is always evolving - but now the changes are more fundamental. Behind this metamorphosis are two main drivers - technology and ownership. It's obvious that business schools - like any other service providers - are subject to the transformational effects of B2B e-commerce. If they can't 'enable' their service provision via the internet, they will wither.

Those that enthusiastically adapt to this e-business world will thrive and will retain their traditional high-touch attendance courses at campuses and country retreats. Attendance at such courses will increasingly be a privilege for a few managers, in terms of taking a few days out from the workplace. Equally, the retention of such activities and their related resources will be the privilege of only a few business schools.