Graduates’ perceptions of the quality of MBA programmes
| Published date | 01 March 2001 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/09684880110694745 |
| Date | 01 March 2001 |
| Pages | 40-45 |
| Author | Lynette Louw,Johan K. Bosch,Danie J.L. Venter |
| Subject Matter | Education |
Graduates' perceptions
of the quality of MBA
programmes
Lynette Louw
Johan K. Bosch and
Danie J.L. Venter
Introduction and problem definition
A recent worldwide development has been the
proliferation in the Masters of Business
Administration (MBA) programme content,
which is sometimes perceived as having had a
negative effect on the appropriateness, and
overall quality of the programme. Many
stakeholders, particularly MBA graduates, are
concerned about programme quality, given
the changes in the fast-paced business
environment (Mittner, 1998, p. 12; Tucker,
1995a, p. 36).
Against the background of the continued
proliferation of MBA courses and the
increasing criticism of the relevance of these
programmes (Pesulima, 1990, pp. 13-22;
Neelankavil, 1994, p. 39; Tucker, 1995b,
p. 12; Byrne, 1997, p. 6; Beezhold, 1998,
p. 21; Business Day, 1998; Hugo, 1998, p. 16;
Oosthuizen et al., 1998, pp. 6-10; Yucelt,
1998, p. 27), extensive research was done on
the quality perceptions of South African MBA
programmes (Louw, 1999). This article will,
however, only report on some of the facets of
the comprehensive project.
Research objectives
With reference to the focus of this article, the
following objectives are paramount:
(1) To assess specific quality outcomes of the
MBA programmes offered by South
African business schools.
(2) To gauge the quality of the MBA
programmes of South African business
schools, based on graduates' perceptions.
(3) To extract factors relating to the:
.MBA programme outcomes; and
.MBA programme quality.
(4) To elicit the opinions of MBA graduates
(in an open question) on the future
development of the MBA programme in
South Africa.
Research design and methodology
Sample size and extent of response
In canvassing the perceptions and opinions of
graduates of MBA programme quality, use
was made of the Human Sciences Research
Council's (Pretoria, South Africa) register of
MBA graduates to draw up a list of students
who graduated from business schools at
The authors
Lynette Louw is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of
Business Management, Johan K. Bosch is Head of the
Department of Business Management, and
Danie J.L. Venter is Director of the Institute for
Statistical Consultation and Methodology, all at the
University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Keywords
Masters of Business Administration, Graduates, Quality,
Curriuculum development
Abstract
The primary purpose of this article is to report on the
opinions and perceptions of graduates of the quality and
standing of South African Masters of Business
Administration (MBA) programmes. This article seeks to
assess specific outcomes of the MBA programmes offered
by South African business schools; to gauge the quality of
the MBA programmes of South African business schools,
based on graduates'perceptions; to extract factors relating
to the MBA programme outcomes; and MBA programme
quality; andto elicit the opinions of graduateson the future
development of the MBA programme in South Africa. The
main findings pertainto the MBA graduates' perceptions of
the outcome and quality of the MBA programmeas well as
the most prominent findings in respect of the open
question on the future development of South African MBA
programmes, from the perspective of graduates.
Electronic access
The research register for this journal is available at
http://www.mcbup.com/research_registers
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at http://www.emerald-library.com/ft
40
Quality Assurance in Education
Volume 9 .Number 1 .2001 .pp. 40±45
#MCB University Press .ISSN 0968-4883
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