Master of Business Administration (MBA) student outcomes in Vietnam

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chau Thi Minh Ly ◽  
Margaret H. Vickers ◽  
Santha Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Management Education ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Design Review ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mba Graduates ◽  
Descriptive Qualitative

Purpose – Exploratory insights into the graduate student experiences of offshore MBA programmes in Vietnam are presented. Students are considered key stakeholders in the higher education (HE) debate, and their views were sought in light of recent shifts in HE worldwide, associated business education changes, nagging questions around the quality of MBA programmes, and the need to consider how all these factors might influence the MBA student experience in a developing economy such as Vietnam. The literature confirms a disconnection between what management education providers offer in MBA programmes and what management education users (here, students) are actually receiving, especially when compared to student expectations, needs and outcomes. Here, a portion of the findings from a larger exploratory, descriptive qualitative study, located in Vietnam, is presented. Graduate students’ views as to what they were seeking when enroling in offshore MBA programmes in Vietnam, and how the programme subsequently met their needs, are shared. Recommendations are made as to potential improvements in curricula design, review, administration, and processes in response to these findings. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Findings from an exploratory, descriptive qualitative study, located in Vietnam, are presented. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with graduates of offshore MBA programmes in Vietnam, drawn from the graduates of three case study HE provider organisations. Interviews were transcribed verbatim in Vietnamese, then translated into English. Findings – Graduates’ views as stakeholders in the provision of offshore MBA programmes in Vietnam are shared. Qualitative analysis revealed evidence of their attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge relating to offshore MBA programmes in Vietnam. The narratives and interpretations offer insights into both the perceived benefits and limitations, and empirical evidence as to whether graduates’ original expectations were met. Research limitations/implications – This was a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study, deliberately undertaken in the absence of others like it in the literature. The research relies upon interview and focus group data gathered from three case study organisations and exploring the perceptions of three different stakeholder groups: graduates of offshore MBA programmes (findings shared here); employers of offshore MBA graduates; and MBA programme providers (including programme managers, administrators and/or teaching staff). This paper includes only the perspective of graduates of offshore MBA programmes in Vietnam, on the basis that rich exploratory information can be derived from a few cases (Perry, 1998). Practical implications – The literature confirms a potential for disconnection between what management education providers offer in MBA programmes and what management education graduates actually receive, compared to graduate’s original expectations, needs and wants. Here, empirical evidence of this intersection is examined. Social implications – The graduate narratives share crucial exploratory evidence offering a better understanding of the needs and expectations of MBA graduates who might be considering enroling in offshore MBA programmes in Vietnam. These findings are especially important with regard to understanding the sustainability and value of offshore MBA programmes being delivered in Vietnam, especially given the country’s current state of economic, political and cultural transition, and the associated need for businesses and workers to be able to operate successfully in an international business environment. Originality/value – No previous studies evaluating the value of MBA programmes in Vietnam have been located. At a time when Vietnam is in economic, cultural, and political transition, knowledge to assist and support their HE sector is crucial. Recommendations are made as to potential improvements in Vietnamese offshore MBA programme curricula design, review, administration, and processes in response to these findings.

Knowledge acquisition via internet-enabled platforms

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charmaine Glavas ◽  
Shane Mathews ◽  
Rebekah Russell-Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
International Business ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Flow Of Information

Purpose Technology has profoundly transformed the international business environment, particularly regarding the flow of information and the way in which knowledge is acquired and shared. Yet, the extent of this transformation is still underappreciated. The purpose of this paper is to examine how small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owner/founders acquire and utilize knowledge for internationalization via internet-enabled platforms. Design/methodology/approach The empirical analysis draws on multiple case study methodology to examine 13 Australian SME owner/founders and the knowledge they acquire from utilization of internet-enabled platforms. Findings The analysis reveals four differing types of internet-enabled experiences: “technical internet-enabled experiences,” “operational internet-enabled experiences,” “functional internet-enabled experiences,” and “immersive internet-enabled experiences.” The findings indicate that internet-enabled experiences can generate both explicit and tacit forms of knowledge for the pre, early and later phases of internationalization. Practical implications The findings provide a structured approach by allowing SMEs to “plot” themselves against the classification of internet-enabled experiences to denote their level of technological involvement, and for discerning the types of knowledge that can be acquired. The findings are particularly helpful for owner/founders, highlighting that internet-enabled platforms are affecting the ways in which knowledge can be acquired and applied to international businesses processes. Originality/value The findings extend the conventional notion of knowledge acquisition for international business by highlighting how information and knowledge can be acquired via internet-enabled platforms. The findings lay the necessary groundwork for building an evidence base and theoretically extending the concept of knowledge acquisition via internet-enabled platforms.

Women leading change: re-shaping gender in Ghanaian mines

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rufai Haruna Kilu ◽  
Adesuwa Omorede ◽  
Maria Uden ◽  
Mohammed-Aminu Sanda
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Gender Equity ◽  
Recent Change ◽  
Women's Movements ◽  
Leading Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women's Participation ◽  
The Status ◽  
Multiple Case

Purpose There is growing attention towards inclusive mining to make an economic case for gender equality and diversity in the industry. Available literature lacks sufficient empirical evidence on the subject matter in Ghana. Therefore, this paper aims to understudy women miners in Ghana and document their role in recent change regimes in mine works gender profiles. An observed change that is stimulating a shift in background dispositions leads to increasing number of women taking up mine jobs. Design/methodology/approach In working towards achieving the aim of the study, both qualitative design and a multiple case study approaches are deployed. Four multinational Ghanaian mines and a mining and technology university were used to understudy the women miners and their role towards a change in mine work gender perspectives. Findings The results showed a regime of “ore-solidarity movement” (women in mining – Ghana). A kind of solidarity identified conventionally as a social movement in active resource and self-mobilization, engaged in a symbolic contestation for change of the status quo (dominant masculinity cultures) in furtherance of gender equity and inclusion in milieu of mine works reforms in Ghana. Originality/value The study is of high scientific, political and public interest to better understand women’s movements in the mining industries in Ghana and to frame them theoretically. It offers solid empirical evidence on roles women miners play to ensure gender shape-shifting and liberalizing the mining space for women’s participation. This move towards inclusive mining implies poverty eradication among women, work towards achieving sustainable mining, competitiveness and assurance for gender-driven social innovative mining.

Societal institutions and control system characteristics: empirical evidence from the UAE

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayada Abd El-Aziz Youssef ◽  
Essam Moustafa
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Business Entities ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Control

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the existence of two sets of factors societal institutions and management control systems’ (MCS) characteristics in the UAE business entities. Subsequently, this paper empirically examines the bilateral and the multivariate associations between the two sets. The societal institutions include six factors categorised in three main groups: cultural conventions, state structures and policies and skill development and control. The MCS characteristics consist of four factors which are: reliance on formal rules, control over the behaviour of employees, involvement of subordinates in target setting and performance evaluation and scope of information used in performance evaluation. Design/methodology/approach – Whitley’s model (1999) is adopted in the UAE business environment and the analyses are performed at the organisational level. Qualified accounting officials and managers are surveyed. The Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman’s partial correlation and multiple regression are used for data analyses. Findings – Findings reveal the characteristics of the UAE societal institutions and the MCS in UAE organisations. They also reveal significant associations among four of the societal institution factors and most of the MCS characteristics. The results highlight the role played by the government structures and policies group in influencing the MCS characteristics in the UAE organisations. However, these results do not entirely agree with Whitley’s model. Research limitations/implications – The results of this study are restricted by the typical constraints associated with the survey method. The obtained results have implications for researchers and managers in facilitating the understanding of the relations among the various societal institutions and the MCS characteristics. Originality/value – This research, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, provides significant new empirical evidence into the relation between societal institutions and MCS characteristics in a non-Western economy.

Is management education preparing future leaders for sustainable business?

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 372-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaurav Manohar Marathe ◽  
Tanusree Dutta ◽  
Sayantan Kundu
Keyword(s):  
Management Education ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cognitive Empathy ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Affective Empathy ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Initiatives ◽  
Management Curriculum ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The study aims to examine whether management education can successfully cultivate the competency of empathy that is needed in future corporate leaders to promote sustainability initiatives catering to diverse stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach The research highlights the impact of management education on cognitive and affective empathy by analysing the interpersonal reflectivity scores of entering students enrolled in a two-year, full-time MBA programme and the scores of the same students at graduation. Findings The findings show that management education has a positive impact on cognitive empathy, while it reduces affective empathy and general empathy. Further, findings show that the management curriculum brings cognitive and affective empathy to an equilibrium level that is needed for a competitive business environment. Research limitations/implications The research focussed only on the change in empathy of the participants (students) during management education and not during actual corporate work. Practical implications The research infers that current management education creates future executives with higher cognitive empathy. It argues that they would care more about the sustainability of the business in terms of profit or access to capital rather than care and concern for all the stakeholders, society and the environment. A new paradigm in management education also needs to be focussed around inculcating how to empathise affectively. Originality/value The study presents an empirical analysis suggesting that management education is opening the mind but not the heart. It raises a significant concern that higher management curriculum is not developing future executives who can lead the sustainability initiatives.

Enhancing teachers' and administrators learning experiences through school–university partnerships: a qualitative case study in China

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoyuan Sang ◽  
Jun Zhou ◽  
Abdulghani Muthanna
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Process Analysis ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis qualitative study aimed to explore how the school–university partnership (SUP) enhances the elementary teachers' professional development in a school-based setting.Design/methodology/approachBy following the qualitative case study methodology, this case study employs semi-structured interviews (the authors designed) with 10 school teachers and administrators. The authors adapted the iterative process analysis (Miles and Huberman, 1984) for compiling, coding, annotating the data and interpreting the interview transcripts. The authors also used the member checking technique that establishes credibility in a qualitative study (Lincoln and Guba, 1985) with six participants.FindingsThe findings suggest that participating in a series of professional learning activities led to the enhancement of teachers' and administrators learning experiences in view of educational theories, action research abilities, teaching efficiency, teaching research capacities and improvement of school guidelines. Further, they reveal that the participants' expectations for future SUP collaborations centred on realizing the sustainability and effectiveness of collaborations, and autonomy of teachers.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the current study include its focus on a single SUP within one school and the reliance on data collected only by interviews during the SUP process. This study offers implications for teacher learning within SUP collaborations. First, schools should consider how to involve and influence all teachers rather than SUP core members only. To this end, authentic professional learning communities need to be constructed. Second, universities should pay much more attention to the professional development of their faculty members towards integration of theoretical knowledge and practical experiences.Originality/valueThis original study explores practical ways of improving teachers' theoretical and practical teaching practices/experiences through SUP projects, and contributes new knowledge to the teaching professional development of school teachers and administrators.

Empirical evidence of the suitability of IFRS in emerging markets

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 553-567
Author(s):  
Ghassan H. Mardini ◽  
Rula S. Wadi ◽  
Osama A. Mah’d
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Main Tool ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Ifrs Implementation

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the suitability of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in emerging markets such as Qatar. The current research attempts to obtain insights into the advantages and disadvantages of IFRS implementation in Qatar based on the perceptions of top management, academics in accounting and external auditors. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was the main tool used in this research. A total of 120 questionnaires were distributed to financial managers, academics and external auditors. Of the 97 replies (80 per cent), 91 completed questionnaires were analysed. Findings The results suggest that IFRS implementation is suitable for the business environment of Qatar because the adoption of IFRS provides many advantages to the Qatari business environment, regulations and stock market without incurring additional major costs. Moreover, IFRS imposes no major constraints on the business environment or Islamic social responsibility and education in Qatar. Practical implications The results of this research paper will help regulators in Qatar and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries develop accounting regulations. Originality/value This paper provides empirical evidence of the suitability of IFRS in emerging markets in general and the GCC region in particular and enhances the level of understanding of IFRS worldwide.

scholarly journals Succeeding in international competition by making use of home-country institutions

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eli Moen
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
Home Country ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Successful Case ◽  
Low Cost Carrier ◽  
Present Case Study

Purpose – This paper aims to addresses the question how a low-cost carrier (LCC) embedded in a coordinated market economy is succeeding in a highly competitive industry with a strong cost focus. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reports the results of a case study of a LCC (Norwegian Air Shuttle). The case study draws on both organizational and institutional theory as to how the international business environment and the national institutional framework continuously impact on its strategies. Findings – It is found that home-country high wage levels and strong labour regulation have been overcome by developing firm-specific capabilities based on active employee involvement which aligns with the tradition of the national system of industrial relations. Research limitations/implications – The present case study provides an input for further research on how actors deal with conflicting pressures. It supports the varieties of capitalism (VOC) argument that national institutional arrangements influence firms and actors’ strategies and practices, but it also supports the call within institutional theories for a more malleable conceptualizing of the link between actors and institutions than is the case in the VOC models. Originality/value – The paper provides an account of a successful case in a highly competitive international business despite disadvantages linked with home-country institutions.

Tools and techniques to ensure innovative management education in India

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 265-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Management Education ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Global Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Standards ◽  
Innovative Management ◽  
Education In India ◽  
Tools And Techniques

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline tools and techniques to ensure innovative management education in India. Design/methodology/approach – The paper addresses the challenges in the present Indian management education and outlines a blueprint with innovative solutions. Findings – It calls for support from all stakeholders including industry, educators, students, educational institutions, government and thought leaders to innovate Indian management education as per the global standards to create world class managers and leaders. Practical implications – These tools and techniques can be customized in other countries to ensure quality management education. Social implications – The social implications of this research suggests that stakeholders must strive to ensure innovative management education to create effective managers and leaders globally. Originality/value – It overhauls Indian management education as per international standards. It explains management education from the perspective of Henry Mintzberg. It reinvents management education as per the dynamic global business environment.

scholarly journals Socio-business responsibility in the Gulf Arab states: the case of the Pearl Initiative

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Linzi J. Kemp ◽  
Imelda Dunlop
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Business And Society ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Arab States ◽  
Gulf Arab

Subject area Leadership, international business, financial reporting, entrepreneurship Study level/applicability The case study is aimed at undergraduate students at a 300 level. Case overview Mr Badr Jafar, co-founder of the Pearl Initiative (PI), is the chief protagonist in this case study set in the Gulf Arab states. He launched this company at the United Nations in September 2010, and the launch was timely, as business leaders were looking to rebuild the global economy following the economic downturn. The Initiative was originally the idea of a number of leading company owners in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The company vision is to improve business practices for the benefit of business and society in the future, but the context is one of a highly competitive and secretive business environment. The mission of the PI is to improve private sector corporate culture to one of transparency and accountability. The PI approaches that mission through building a network of business leaders in the GCC, particularly those from the family-owned companies in the private sector. A biography of the founder and the background to the founding of the PI is given, followed by a rationale of the company structure. The potential influence of the network of companies and leaders on the socio-business climate is considered. The specific activities are outlined within the strategy of the PI to address four key business areas: anti-bribery and corruption; corporate governance; corporate reporting; and women in leadership The PI focuses on raising awareness about the potential benefits of social entrepreneurship for business and society. To what extent this relatively new model of business can be successful in the context of the GCC is a case dilemma. Key issues: There are two main issues raised in the case study: the rationale for the relatively new business model of social entrepreneurship and the extent to which PI can modify the past and current GCC business environment by addressing the four business areas. Expected learning outcomes Students will be able to: analyze the business case for social entrepreneurship and explain the contribution of PI activities for changing the business environment. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes.

scholarly journals Rethinking the role of management education in developing a “new” locus of CSR responsibility

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tulsi Jayakumar ◽  
Rukaiya Kirit Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Management Education ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Performance ◽  
Indian Context ◽  
Legislative Framework

Purpose India is the first country to have mandated compulsory corporate social responsibility (CSR) spends through changes in its legislative framework. Focus has thus shifted from the “why” to the “how” of CSR and, therefore, a shift in the “locus” of CSR responsibility from the “influencer” chief executive officer toward the “implementer” CSR professionals. The purpose of this paper is to study the role of management education in developing individual competencies among the implementers and impacting effective CSR implementation. Design/methodology/approach This paper, using a case study design, studies the role of management education in developing individual competencies among the implementers and impacting effective CSR implementation. Building on theoretical frameworks, this paper carries out an exploratory research of an Indian business school’s management education program for development practitioners. It uses qualitative inputs gathered from relevant stakeholders of the program to understand the role of management education in facilitating the paradigm shift in CSR in the Indian context. Findings The paper finds that the program has impacted outcomes at three levels, namely through developing key individual CSR-related competencies; impacting participants’ professional performance; and organizational impact in effective CSR implementation. Practical implications The case study provides a roadmap to business schools for designing and implementing programs for CSR professionals. Originality/value Extant research in the Indian context is silent on key competencies required for CSR implementation and also on the role of management education in developing the same. Such competencies can ensure the efficiency of the expected large CSR spends by private corporates under the new legal requirements and alter the country’s social development path.

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