MBAs should focus on politics, according to experts

MBA programmes should have a greater focus on politics, according to experts.

 

In a debate for the Financial Times, Mike Bastin and Jim Moore discussed the need for MBA curriculums to better engage with governmental strategies and policies, in order to prepare their students fully for the interdisciplinary world that they will enter into.

 

Bastin is a visiting professor at Beijing Universality of International Business and economics, whilst Moore is the managing director of Business, Society and Public Policy Initiative at Georgetown’s McDonald School of Business.

 

Ahead of the UK General Election on 7^th May, Professor Bastin points out that there “is still little or no inclusion of any aspects of the dominant UK or international political issues on MBA and related programmes.”

 

Uncertainty for the business community, in terms of what will happen after the election, is therefore a real concern.

 

He goes on to point out how policy initiatives, for example “the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and mergers across state-owned enterprises announced by China’s central government”, could have a huge influence on global business – as could the increased powers that governments have within business.

 

These factors, Bastin believes, mean that it is essential that MBA and business students are taught about politics – through guest lectures from ministers and analysis of policies, amongst other activities.

 

Moore, backing up Bastin’s points, believes that it is essential for future success that MBA students “understand the impact of public policy on the course of business” – and that “future business leaders demand an education that prepares them for grappling with the intersection of business, government and society.”

 

The men will continue their online debate tomorrow (Wednesday 22^nd April), between 2pm and 3pm BST, and students are being encouraged to participate.

 

To take part in the live Q&A students should register with the Financial Times’ MBA Blog.

 

To see the full article on the Financial Times visit the site here.