Exploring MBA career success

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the meaning of career success in relation to the attainment of an MBA degree, for a group of experienced managers. In so doing, the paper aims to consider the adequacy of MBA career success, defined solely in terms of external criteria.Design methodo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Career development international 2006, Vol.11 (2), p.108-124
Main Authors: Hay, Amanda, Hodgkinson, Myra
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Business Education
Career advancement
Career Development
Career development planning
Careers
Correlation analysis
Education Work Relationship
Educational Benefits
Educational Status Comparison
Employment Potential
Graduate Students
Interviews
Job Satisfaction
Master of business administration
Masters Programs
MBA programs & graduates
Opportunities
Outcomes of Education
Salaries
Studies
Success
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Summary:Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the meaning of career success in relation to the attainment of an MBA degree, for a group of experienced managers. In so doing, the paper aims to consider the adequacy of MBA career success, defined solely in terms of external criteria.Design methodology approach - A total of 36 in-depth interviews were undertaken with MBA alumni which sought to capture the individual's own account of their career success in relation to their MBA. The study utilised an inductive data analysis approach.Findings - The findings revealed a diversity of meanings given to MBA career success, with success generally being expressed in much broader terms than conventional notions of fast track career advancement. The salience of internal criteria for judging MBA career success is thus highlighted. The findings may be seen to further dispel the myth that MBA students are concerned exclusively with status and salary.Research limitations implications - The study focuses on the experiences of graduates from only one MBA programme. Additionally, the study reports retrospective accounts of MBA career success, a longitudinal design would be advantageous.Practical implications - The demonstration of a plurality of career success provides potential advantage for business schools recruiting MBA students. Organisations can benefit from a wider understanding of MBA career success.Originality value - The findings suggest that the value of the MBA encompasses more than fast track career success.
ISSN:1362-0436
1758-6003
DOI:10.1108/13620430610651877