Improving learning culture in Indian B-schools

1. Presentation at national research conference “Enhancing the B-school experience in India” By A P Ubale Founder Director TrEduCon Improving learning culture in Indian B-schools

2. Content Introduction Research objectives Sample selection and research methodology Major findings Actionable and recommendations Summary & way forward

3. Content Introduction Research objectives Sample selection and research methodology Major findings Actionable and recommendations Summary & way forward

4. Management education today Venue – a reputed college in Mumbai Time – Some time after the II year exam They had asked a strategic management question in an international marketing paper !!!!! What happened ? Oops , I had a terrible time in international marketing paper today

5. B-schools today B-schools are struggling on two fronts Attracting good input talent Satisfying the industry demand Some facts* Number of B-schools in India – around 1600 from 200 in 1996 Out of 40000 MBA graduates in 2008, hardly 17% could be considered as “employable” Demand for managerial talent in India 128000 per year Huge opportunity for a good B-school provided it DIFFERENTIATES itself from the rest * Business Standard, Aug-2008

6. Differentiating Factors- India v/s west Input quality* Nearly 80% of entrée to MBA programs are fresh “MBA” synonymous to merely a “well paying job” Less developed reading/social skills Lack of ability to apply the theory to practice Practice orientation of academic programs Summer projects & other activities –seriousness Balancing “Grade orientation” vis-à-vis “Learning” Improving “Attitude” of graduates Changing industry expectations - Need for a continuous industry interface * NKC report 2009 and our own research

7. Content Introduction Research objectives Sample selection and research methodology Major findings Actionable and recommendations Summary & way forward

8. Research objectives Student’s perception about their MBA programs • MBA pedagogy & experiential learning initiatives • Self-assessment of programs • Improvements in B-school inputs Industry expectations - “Local job-ready & yet globally oriented managers” • Desired skill sets / practice orientation • Experience with current MBA pass-outs • B-school inputs Simple and pragmatic changes in curriculum • Improving experiential learning experience • Focussing on industry-desired skill-sets • Overall improvement in MBA program and employability

9. Content Introduction Research objectives Sample selection and research methodology Major findings Actionable and recommendations Summary & way forward

10. Research methodology Student’s perception • Quantitative assessment • Target group • Sample (67 students from 30 B-schools) • Questionnaire & methodology • Limitations Industry expectations • Qualitative assessment • Target group • Sample selection ( n=19) • Discussion guide & methodology • Limitations Output 1 Inputs Desired skill-sets & perceived gap in the same Step 2 Perceptions on experiential learning at the B-schools Output 2 Actionable and New initiatives Step 1

11. Stage1 – Sample selection ( n=19) Sector wise distribution Years of experience Snapshot

12. Sample selection Functional area-wise distribution • All respondents are from multinational companies • Respondent’s experience with management trainees – min 4 to 6 • Directly responsible for choice of management trainees • Experience with second rung B-schools

13. Limitations of sample chosen 70% of sample is from Mumbai Dominance of automotive / engineering sector Not a representative sample of MNC companies in India – but largely represent the recruiters

14. Personal interviews - discussion guide Personal / telephonic interviews – 45 min to 1 hour Discussion guide focused on understanding The experience of the respondent Their interactions with MBA graduates Desired skill set based on job-profile/ responsibilities Method of training / assessment of individual’s capabilities desired for the job Experience sharing on different management trainees / their attitude / skill sets etc.

15. Target group Students from second rung B-schools Students in final year of MBA program Pass outs over last 3 years Students with an experience of experiential learning programs from different B-schools across the country

16. Stage 2 - Sample B-schools ( n = 30) B-school rank and city B-school ranks

17. Stage 2 – Sample selection ( Geographical) N = 67 Number of B-schools - 30

18. Respondent profile ( n= 67) Year of passing out • 80% respondents are from second rung B-schools • Students passed out from B-school one year back and final year students dominate the sample • Experience on experiential learning and expectations from industry

19. Respondent profile Functional experience of working population (n=34) Sector wise distribution of working population (n=34)

20. Limitation of sample Dominance of metro area students / B-schools Dominance of investments / finance professionals

21. Questionnaire and methodology Assessing preparedness P1 Self realization Important skills ( MS-Excel, Reading, Communication, relationship building) Need for industry mentorship/interaction needs Scale chosen 5 pointer Slightly agree Agree Neutral Slightly disagree Strongly disagree Effectiveness of various industry interaction programs Summer training Industry exposure week Visiting faculty/ lecture Short term projects Mentorship programs Alumni interaction Student festivals/other activities Scale chosen 5 pointer Was not followed at our B-school Not effective at all It was ok ( didn’t make much difference) Effective Highly effective

22. Content Introduction Research objectives Sample selection and research methodology Major findings Actionable and recommendations Summary & way forward

23. Industry perception about B-school pass-outs Where the students stand … Attitude • MBA is a passport for a great life – parents / media • Focus on “marketing” in a country where “sales” has more opportunities • Inability to understand – “ what it means for me?” • Book-oriented & not willing to “ Dirty their hands” • Desire spoon-feeding Major strengths • Information gathering • Presentation skills • “Well informed” about the world around them • Communication skills • Energy levels

24. Expectations from B-schools What is desired….. Where B-schools can help? Skill-sets • Relationship building / sensitivity towards Indian & local culture • Ability to understand “the world & the change” - analytical reading • Analytical tools – MS Excel • Level headed-ness / being close to ground realities • Knowing your-self • Entrepreneurial abilities • Application orientation – balance of theory and practice • Functional orientation to be coupled with holistic approach towards business & management • “Observe, relate and learn” attitude • Enhance quality of current industry interactions • Be a facilitator - let the students lead • Enhance customization – individual’s “self-knowledge” • Eliminate spoon-feeding

25. Enhancing quality of industry interaction and imparting “practice orientation” is the desirable course of action, for second rung B-schools as per the industry respondents Based on these inputs, the student’s perception about their MBA program was studied

26. Student’s perception – Self realization Awareness about self – program inputs P1 – Self realization • MBA programs cant be called highly effective on most of these parameters • Awareness about jobs / career opportunities – good • Respondents don’t perceive MBA programs to be effective for career counseling initiatives Awareness about jobs and opportunities

27. Student’s perception - skills acquired in MBA Impact of MBA program on key skills desired by the industry • Respondents are concerned about practical knowledge level imparted by their MBA program • Respondents are happy with inputs of their MBA programs on key skills • Industry perception about these key skills is different from respondents

28. Industry v/s student’s perception Considerable difference in both stake holder's perception about value created by MBA program on key skills Indian B-school’s MBA program’s success is measured on placement as the sole criterion Industry rates being “job-ready” to be a major criterion to determine the success of a MBA program Difficult to eliminate biases of respondents could be based on Work experience + tendency to overrate own schools Optimistic perception by the current batch students Yet there is a need for enhanced industry interaction …..

29. Current industry interaction measures

30. Industry interaction opportunities MBA program can do far more to impart experiential learning Dedicated industry mentors can improve the program effectiveness

31. Some inputs Clarity on career goals / path to reach the same is largely absent during 1st and 2nd year MBA programs 40% of respondents did not what they aspired as a job out of the MBA 40% were not clear, took the jobs as it came along way Remaining lacked clarity on their career aspirations Formal mentorship programs are absent in nearly 80% of the b-schools surveyed Informal mentorship programs present in the form of Alumni interaction Visiting faculties Other activities Industry emphasis on practice orientation is present in B-schools but seems to have limited relevance

32. Findings Summer trainings , industry interactions, conferences etc. are some of the most effective practical knowledge drivers for the respondents. Concerns emerge from both industry and respondents about successful use of these programs Some of the innovative practices followed at the B-school with respect to industry interaction Entrepreneurship workshops Low value businesses Dual industry trainings Innovative summer projects

33. Content Introduction Research objectives Sample selection and research methodology Major findings Actionable and recommendations Summary & way forward

34. Enhancing Employability Trained long term continuous intervention from experienced professionals acting as MENTOR for the students in conjunction with 2 years of academics MENTOR Different from a teacher / professor His hindsight becomes a foresight for the students Understands the uniqueness of each student, her aspirations and abilities Helps in realizing the goals using, Skills Direction Practice

35. LEAP Workshops Workshops that can be integrated with B-school curriculum Learn Enjoy Achieve excellence Practice Methodology Designed keeping Indian student’s condition in mind Practice orientation through rich on-the-field activities along with academic initiatives Systematically impart application orientation Live industry interaction Mutually beneficial

36. Mentorship – a desirable input Need for mentorship program is acknowledged by the respondents. A GAP does exist in the current system. However, imparting mentorship programs around the conventional model of mentoring on various identified skill-sets may not appeal. Current system of delivery – assumed by our mentorship model needs to undergo a change. Innovative delivery of mentorship program is desirable for attracting attention.

37. LEAP workshops based on this study Know Thyself Reading financial dailies Building sustainable relationships Doing business on street MS-Excel – Basic building block Sector specific overviews Management simulation games

38. Content Introduction Research objectives Sample selection and research methodology Major findings Actionable and recommendations Summary & way forward

39. Summary and way forward Back to basics – as far as management education for masses is concerned Innovative academic delivery through practice oriented programs based on industry inputs is the need of an hour

40. Thank you