The research findings on age and experience are, at best, inconclusive. Previous research on career implications of the MBA has focused on career anchors of executive MBA students (Chang, Hwang, Liu, & Siang, 2007), career expectations (Simmering & Wilcox, 1995), expectations of MBA quality (Rapert, Smith, Velliquette & Garretson, 2004) and student motivations (Thompson & Gui, 2000). The MBA degree is perceived to have a positive impact on employment, annual income and both short and long-term job promotion prospects (Zhao et al., 2000). Similar findings of improved career development prospects following MBA completion were reported in another study of Hong Kong distance MBA students (Chiu, 1999). It seems the most frequent reasons given for MBA studies were career progression and improved management performance (Lewis, 1992; Mihail & Elefterie, 2006).
The Value of the MBA
Learning about business in general and making new business contacts were more important for those with less than 8 years of work experience. Significant age and gender interaction effects were found for assertiveness skills acquisition, while significant age effects were found for sensitivity to differences and to diversity skills (Simpson, Sturges, Woods & Altman, 2005). Other studies, however, have found no effects for gender and experience (Zhao, Truell, Alexander & Hill, 2006). Still others have claimed that MBA graduates with more work experience reap fewer benefits (Richards-Wilson & Galloway, 2006).
The research findings on age and experience are, at best, inconclusive. Previous research on career implications of the MBA has focused on career anchors of executive MBA students (Chang, Hwang, Liu, & Siang, 2007), career expectations (Simmering & Wilcox, 1995), expectations of MBA quality (Rapert, Smith, Velliquette & Garretson, 2004) and student motivations (Thompson & Gui, 2000). The MBA degree is perceived to have a positive impact on employment, annual income and both short and long-term job promotion prospects (Zhao et al., 2000). Similar findings of improved career development prospects following MBA completion were reported in another study of Hong Kong distance MBA students (Chiu, 1999). It seems the most frequent reasons given for MBA studies were career progression and improved management performance (Lewis, 1992; Mihail & Elefterie, 2006).
The research findings on age and experience are, at best, inconclusive. Previous research on career implications of the MBA has focused on career anchors of executive MBA students (Chang, Hwang, Liu, & Siang, 2007), career expectations (Simmering & Wilcox, 1995), expectations of MBA quality (Rapert, Smith, Velliquette & Garretson, 2004) and student motivations (Thompson & Gui, 2000). The MBA degree is perceived to have a positive impact on employment, annual income and both short and long-term job promotion prospects (Zhao et al., 2000). Similar findings of improved career development prospects following MBA completion were reported in another study of Hong Kong distance MBA students (Chiu, 1999). It seems the most frequent reasons given for MBA studies were career progression and improved management performance (Lewis, 1992; Mihail & Elefterie, 2006).
