Beyond assuring learning: Greater challenges ahead for management educators

Abstract

Many management academics around the world engage in Assurance of Learning (AoL) where student performance is measured against business program learning goals. AoL data inform continuous program improvement and offers accountability. However, what enables or hinders management educators’ engagement with AoL is not sufficiently understood. We review and unpack the benefits and challenges associated with AoL and outline why challenges remain unresolved and benefits not maximised. This paper provides management educators with a deeper understanding of AoL, and points to how challenges might be overcome to realise the benefits. We conducted a critical thematic analysis of an extensive list of AoL-related literature to identify reported benefits and challenges among business schools and how they might specifically impact management educators. The literature comprises 35 publications which represent wide applicability (country and school context) and offer both, empirical and conceptual data or insights. The findings report AoL benefits (key themes: Accountability, Program-based curriculum, Efficiency, Communication, Relevance, Evidence for improvement, Culture) and challenges (key themes: Ownership, Closing the loop, Applicability and relevance, Sustainability and workload, Alignment, Instruments, Reliability and validity) and stimulate a discussion about the value and nature of quality management education.