Internationalization of the MBA curriculum and its impact on building students' global competencies

Abstract

With the expansion of international business activities, business schools' leaders and administrators come to a higher understanding of the needs of employers and explore multiple strategies for MBA curriculum internationalization. The process of globalization has changed the skills, knowledge, and competencies expected of the MBA graduates. Studies suggest that corporate leaders expect MBA graduates to not only have technical expertise, but also to understand the dynamics of the globalized business world, to communicate and manage effectively across cultures, and to create innovative solutions for global business challenges (AACSB International, 2011; Ghemawat, 2008; Pitt, Berthon, & Robson, 1997).While many business schools define their mission as educating global business leaders who will make a difference in the world, little or no agreement has been achieved in defining the aspects and components of the MBA curriculum that would help to achieve this goal. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, this study provides a macro- and micro level analysis of the curriculum internationalization strategies adopted by leading business schools in the U.S. By employing a benchmarking analysis of the top MBA programs in the U.S., this study examines the current trends and best practices in MBA curriculum internationalization. The study also employs the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School in a more detailed analysis of curriculum internationalization. The new innovative curriculum of the Global MBA program was developed with the insights and recommendations of employers and academic leaders to reflect the needs of the ever-changing globalized business world. By employing a tracer study methodology and a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, this study examines the impact of the internationalized curriculum on building students' global competencies.The data suggest that MBA graduates perceived a significant change in their global competency level before and after the MBA program, and that this change is largely a result of the MBA curriculum and their experiences in the program.Through the combination of the benchmarking survey, analysis of the curricula documents of the leading MBA programs in the U.S., the survey of the MBA graduates in the selected business school, and a series of interviews, a deeper understanding is developed of the importance of the global competencies for MBA graduates. Subsequently the impact of the internationalized MBA curriculum on building students' global competencies is investigated. Broader implications of the study recommend that business schools consider the employers' needs and expectations, and use a systems approach in developing curriculum internationalization strategies.