Analysis of MBA skills from the employers’ perspective: A case study
Valentina Jošt Lešer
GEA College – Faculty of Entrepreneurship, Slovenia
valentina.jost-leser@gea-college.si
Dario Berginc
GEA College – Faculty of Entrepreneurship, Slovenia
dario.berginc@gea-college.si
Abstract
The paper outlines the importance of distinguishing between different types of MBA programmes (professional and academic MBAs) and thus related outcomes. Furthermore, the paper presents a case study from Slovenia where we obtained the data crucial to adapt the MBA curriculum to employers’ requirements. The research was conducted to offer a new MBA program in Slovenia by GEA College – Faculty of Entrepreneurship. The most significant discrepancy has been recognised in interpersonal, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills. Emotional intelligence and empathy are proposed directly by employers as essential for the manager’s job. Our results confirm some existing research in this area. The importance of the study is seen as a good practice. Moreover, findings are beneficial for leaders in education, especially for MBA programme managers: to enhance their programme relevance, adopt more innovative ways of designing and delivering courses, and as a good starting point for further extensive research of the MBA skill gaps in Slovenia. The latter is very important, as our study was limited to GEA College’s business partners.
Keywords: MBA; MBA skills; MBA curriculum; soft skills; case study