In touch with the softer side of MBAs: But importance of hard skills subjects emphasized

Abstract

Purpose

Considering that Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs have been the focus of many evaluations and much criticism in recent years, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the objective and subjective effects on careers experienced by part-time MBA students and graduates.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an empirical research, involving more than 700 students and graduates of three part-time MBA programs in Brazil.

Findings

The authors found that students and graduates experience more subjective than objective effects of such programs in their careers, and that the subjective effects are primarily related to self-confidence, employability, expansion of business view and ability to “play the game”.

Originality/value

This study makes three contributions to the knowledge of the effects of MBAs. First, it provides insight into students’ perspectives. Second, it increases the knowledge of the subjective effects of MBAs on the careers of students. And third, it focuses on part-time programs in a developing nation rather than on full-time programs in a developed nation such as the USA, as is often the case.

Citation

Beal, B. (2016), "In touch with the softer side of MBAs: But importance of hard skills subjects emphasized", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 30 No. 2, pp. 31-33. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-12-2015-0099