dusting off theory
Is MBA research being dumbed down?
Traditional academic research is threatened by the shift to applied knowledge, say critics
Is MBA research being "dumbed down"? Business school academics are divided over the impact of rules changing the boundaries of research by MBA students. Some say the changes undermine the principle of analytical rigour, while others argue that they bring a practical edge to what might otherwise be a purely theoretical exercise. Before the Council on Higher Education introduced a new MBA regime in 2016, research followed the traditional path of an academic treatise or dissertation. But after the MBA was redefined as a professional master’s instead of an academic one, the definition of research also changed. It has shifted to "independent study" that may consist of "a single research or technical project or a series of smaller projects demonstrating innovation or professional expertise". Even though this component must account for at least 25% of academic credits required to graduate, that’s a lot of leeway. Some schools prefer the old dissertation route, but other options now include...
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