In Their Own Eyes and Voices

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to more effectively understand the learning experiences of Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) students. We asked 330 EMBA students to draw a graphic representation of their life and reflect on their EMBA experiences. We then applied the Zaltman metaphor elicitation technique to conduct in-depth interviews with 13 EMBA students. By analyzing the visual and narrative data, we documented that the students tended to enter EMBA programs during transitional periods when facing major personal, professional, and self-conceptual challenges. The four most valued outcomes of their EMBA experiences were an analytical framework, a well-connected network, a community to belong to, and a journey of self-discovery and renewal.

Does Executive MBA Deliver? Exploration of Developmental Outcomes and Participants’ Perceptions of Delivery Effectiveness

“…Literature has addressed a number of challenges that an Executive MBA program faces. However, a critical challenge as addressed by various scholars in literature is meeting the diverse demands of participants and organizations (Han & Liang, 2015). Ballou, Bowers, Boyatzis, and Kolb (1999) are of the opinion that the objectives of executive education are usually derived from the contemporary problems of professionals and organizations.…”

“…A number of professional institutions, corporate institutions and universities are offering executive development programs. These programs are typically designed for mid-career, experienced managers who seek to enhance their skills to be more effective in their organizations (Han & Liang, 2015). The general objective behind executive development is to improve managerial as well as organizational performance (Dalton, 2018).…”

“…In doing so, Executive MBA program has attained substantial importance being the potential source that could help working professionals rapidly build knowledge and skills which their organizations value (Conger & Xin, 2000). However, to take the hue off this rosy picture, university-based executive education program has also been castigated by the practitioners and scholars in relation to its ability to effectively deliver on participants' aspired objectives (Han & Liang, 2015). Questions are raised regarding the utility and relevance of the program's delivered outcomes for professionals and organizations, and the valuation of opportunity cost of money and time which organizations and/or individuals spend on this executive education (Goux, Gurgand, & Maurin, 2017;Long, 2004).…”

“…Questions are raised regarding the utility and relevance of the program's delivered outcomes for professionals and organizations, and the valuation of opportunity cost of money and time which organizations and/or individuals spend on this executive education (Goux, Gurgand, & Maurin, 2017;Long, 2004). Both of these concerns seem logical as organizations/individuals always seek to juxtapose the expense which they incur on tuition fee and traveling against the effectiveness of executive education program in helping organizations/individuals in improving their performance (Conger & Xin, 2000;Crotty & Soule, 1997;Dalton, 2018;Fulmer & Vicere, 1996;Han & Liang, 2015;Long, 2004;Myrsiades, 2001). There are certain factors at the supply side in MBA programs that affect dropout such as intensity of case study learning, class size and number of credits per month etc.…”

“…Literature on Executive MBA programs has highlighted a great need for research which should be undertaken to investigate the executive MBA programs' effectiveness in terms of its relevance in responding to the true needs and expectations of professionals and organizations (Han & Liang, 2015;Tushman, O'Reilly, Fenollosa, Kleinbaum, & McGrath, 2007). Research works highlighting the preferences/expectations of organizations while sending their executives to Executive MBA programs are in abundance.…”