Improving management education

Abstract

Purpose

To present an outsider's view of how management education can be significantly improved.

Design/methodology/approach

Focuses on correcting several obvious deficiencies in courses and degree programs to create highly differentiated educational experiences that are more relevant to student's needs and the organizations that employ graduates.

Findings

Proposes a suite of 11 interconnected improvements as well as a fundamental re‐structuring of the MBA program designed to simplify it, provide greater focus, improve relevancy, and impart needed thematic consistency.

Practical implications

Presents 11 practical improvements individual faculty or schools can readily incorporate into existing courses or degree programs. The proposed curriculum for a completely re‐structured MBA program can add distinctiveness and expand the value proposition for students and their employers.

Originality/value

The suite of 11 improvements and proposed MBA program curriculum changes offers an alternate route for preparing students for future global business challenges. The proposed improvements are intended to serve as a foundation for discussion and debate, and hopefully future action as well.

Citation

Emiliani, M.L. (2006), "Improving management education", Quality Assurance in Education, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 363-384. https://doi.org/10.1108/09684880610703956