Business Administration Degree Research Articles

Factors affecting non-English major students` motivation in learning English at Private University

When it comes to learning English in classroom, motivation is second to none. This study sought to investigate levels of motivation and some other relevant factors affecting non-English majored students’ motivation at University of South-East Asia (USEA). To collect the data, the convenience sampling consisted of 195 students who are doing a degree in Business Administration were involved in this quantitative research. The findings reveal that the students had high levels of motivation to learn English. Moreover, the study also indicated four factors influencing students’ motivation in learning English, including facility, teacher’s personality, teacher’s methodology, and classmate. The results of the study might attribute to academia and research at tertiary education.

Model for the Implementation of Graduate and Candidates for Graduates Tracking System at the American University, Nicaragua

The main objective of the present research was to establish a model for the implementation of the monitoring of graduates and degree completers of the American University, Nicaragua, for which it was proposed to identify the theoretical basis for the model, describe the model then, and assess the importance that this has. From the above, we worked with a database from 1992 to 2022 in business administration and industrial engineering careers, totaling 832 graduates and degree completers, with a standard deviation of 0.5, a confidence level of 95% with Z=1.96, and a 5% error. Using the previous statistics, a sample of 191 graduates with a degree in Business Administration and 208 graduates with a degree in Industrial Engineering was established. According to the results obtained, it was concluded that it is pertinent to reorient some questions to obtain the perception results; Indicators are established for the quality and efficiency of the institution, in terms of recommending the American University as a home of study and the interest in supplementary studies, finally the importance of the implementation of a follow-up comprehensive model for graduates, which it has to carry out actions to improve academic quality.

Higher education apprenticeship. Analyzing the impact and essential conditions of workplace resources on apprentices’ career satisfaction

This research explores the necessity and the effect of job resources for undergraduates’ career satisfaction during work experience in an apprenticeship program. Additionally, we examine the extent to which a supportive environment enhances apprentice career satisfaction by providing access to valuable learning experiences. We propose PLS equation modelling with a sample of 81 students who completed a dual apprenticeship degree in Business Administration and Management at Spanish University. The study finds that all three workplace job resources are necessary for career satisfaction among apprentices. Learning opportunities and social relations have significant effects, while job control contributes only marginally. It highlights that learning opportunities enhance social relations, emphasizing the importance of feedback. The study extends job resource research to university level apprenticeships, showing that without these resources, apprentices lack career satisfaction. It highlights that learning opportunities are crucial for satisfaction through social relations and offers guidance for designing effective workplace training programs.

Using Scrum in Solving Business Reality Cases

Objective: This teaching innovation proposal aims to dynamise and bring the teaching of the subject Business Management and Organisation, taken in the fourth semester of the bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management (GAD), closer to the business world. Theoretical Framework: It is necessary to bring the university closer to business in order to reduce the gap in the skills training demanded by companies and to achieve better employability of graduates. Method: To do this, we propose the resolution of a production case by workshops, through the formation of agile teams, using Scrum and Kanban, using the Trello application for the latter, the iterative and incremental approach of this methodology will allow the student to learn in a simple and practical way concepts that grow in complexity, as it evolves in the resolution of the same. Results and Discussion: This teaching methodology allows the student to simultaneously acquire the specific competences of the subject and the so-called soft competences demanded by the working environment. Research Implications: This type of innovation is necessary in university institutions in order to include in their curricula the competences demanded by recruiters, and can also be used in other disciplines and careers. Originality/Value: The originality of the research lies in the practice of a learning process that makes it possible to include the training required by companies in curricula.

Boardcraft: Learning the Art of Strategic Decision-Making Card by Card

Boardcraft, an interactive, sequential card game, is a powerful tool for teaching Strategic Management in an undergraduate Business Administration Degree. This innovative game provides students with practical experience in strategic analysis, business strategy formulation, and strategic decision-making, addressing one of the main challenges of social science teaching: practical application. The objective of the research to be carried out is to find evidence of a change in students' attitudes towards making strategic decisions. To do this, two questionnaires will be carried out, one before and one after the game's introduction in the classroom, three months apart. The data will tell us if decision-making through a business strategy game changes their perception and attitude towards decision-making by acquiring competencies and skills that prepare them better for decision-making throughout their career and life. This game will streamline the teaching of strategic management in higher education, a subject traditionally based on lectures and case studies. Teaching strategic management is complex since the student is immersed in a context of continuous decision-making that requires the application of an appropriate methodology for proper understanding. Game-based learning (GBL) activities like Boardcraft that bring strategic management closer to real-life contexts are desirable. The application of this game will also allow researchers to analyse the effect of experiential learning, the acquisition of interpersonal and conceptual skills, the importance of aesthetics and the introduction of fun elements in game-based learning.

University-business linkages influence on international business competence: An in-service training perspective

Firms often rely on the skills and mindsets of individual employees and managers rather than on organizational structures and capabilities to execute entrepreneurial activities. These individual-level factors, which may originate from educational and business experiences, also support the development of international business competencies when firms engage in international operations. Accordingly, this study investigates educational collaborations in university-business linkages that influence international business competence at the individual level. Survey data were collected from 489 in-service-trained business executives pursuing (Executive) Master of Business Administration degrees while concurrently holding supervisory and managerial responsibilities in firms in Ghana. Factor analysis revealed four dimensions of educational collaborations in university-business linkages. Results from hypothesis testing, conducted using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM), indicate that the diversity and internationality of study content and research dimensions positively and significantly influence these executives' global mindset, entrepreneurial orientation, and international marketing skills in performing foreign business operations. Similarly, interactions with international resource persons positively and significantly influence the executives' global mindset and international marketing skills. However, while participation in international affairs shows positive effects, these are not statistically significant. We discuss these findings and highlight their implications for developing international human capital through a university-business educational collaboration framework useful for executives, business schools, academics, and global higher education development partners.

Entrepreneurship Education as Panacea to Job Creation among University Graduates: A Case of ZCAS University

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact that entrepreneurship education can have on entrepreneurial outcomes by the graduates from ZCAS University. The author aimed to investigate the perceived influence that various entrepreneurship education courses have had on a cohort of 76 graduates from the University’s School of Business that were pesuing Bachlor’s degree in Business Administration, Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneusrhip, bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance, bachelor’s degree in Accountaning. Methodology: A questionnaire with semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews was administered to 75 responsents via google forms. Findings and results indicate that entrepreneurship education is slowly having an impact on graduate entrepreneurship intentions as a progressive number of graduates accounting for 33% engaged themselves in entrepreneurship which ultimately has the potential to create jobs and and have a positive impact on economic development. Findings: The findings provide valuable insights for educators, policy makers and graduate entrepreneurs. Stakeholders such as government, local authorities and sponsors/parents could use this study to make better choices in relation to the education of future graduate entrepreneurs. The study therefore recommends among others inclusion of significant course content on entrepreneurship and investment in non-business and management related programmes of study. Unique Contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study provides an empirically rigorous insight into a relatively neglected area of entrepreneurship education research. It provides valuable data for stakeholders involved in both the supply and the demand side of the entrepreneurship education process. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact that entrepreneurship education can have on entrepreneurial outcomes by the graduates from ZCAS University. The author aimed to investigate the perceived influence that various entrepreneurship education courses have had on a cohort of 76 graduates from the University’s School of Business that were pesuing Bachlor’s degree in Business Administration, Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneusrhip, bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance, bachelor’s degree in Accountaning. Methodology: A questionnaire with semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews was administered to 75 responsents via google forms. Findings and results indicate that entrepreneurship education is slowly having an impact on graduate entrepreneurship intentions as a progressive number of graduates accounting for 33% engaged themselves in entrepreneurship which ultimately has the potential to create jobs and and have a positive impact on economic development. Findings: The findings provide valuable insights for educators, policy makers and graduate entrepreneurs. Stakeholders such as government, local authorities and sponsors/parents could use this study to make better choices in relation to the education of future graduate entrepreneurs. The study therefore recommends among others inclusion of significant course content on entrepreneurship and investment in non-business and management related programmes of study. Unique Contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study provides an empirically rigorous insight into a relatively neglected area of entrepreneurship education research. It provides valuable data for stakeholders involved in both the supply and the demand side of the entrepreneurship education process.

A market driven identification of current and emerging skills requiring an MBA degree: a topic modelling approach

ABSTRACT The emerging field of Labour Market Intelligence focuses on extracting real-time information for professional skills. Online job posting websites provide unique opportunities to gather such intelligence, useful for job seekers and academic administrators in charge of preparing the future labour force. We propose a probabilistic topic modelling approach, incorporating occupational ontologies, to extract skillsets required for jobs needing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Analysing LinkedIn job postings in Pennsylvania, USA, we identified 28 job functions and associated skillsets confirming known demands and revealing new ones not yet identified in government and private labour market reports. By aggregating these skills, we can align MBA curricula with market needs, offering a superior alternative to conventional surveys. Our results are comparable with other popular neural models. Our approach provides improved computational efficiency with simpler methods Additionally, this methodology can be applied globally in other fields with existing occupational ontologies.

The Impact of Compressing MBA Courses on Student Satisfaction: Empirical Results

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is the most popular graduate degree available. It is valuable to those who work in a wide range of business management areas or to prospective entrepreneurs. Many universities have developed compressed 8-week semesters to better meet student needs. Critics question instructor course delivery and student learning. We examine the impact of compressed semesters on MBA student satisfaction and learning in both face-to-face and online courses. Five instructors were assigned courses to be taught in a 16-week semester, followed by the same courses in an 8-week semester. At least one section of the courses was taught in face-to-face and/or online formats. Student satisfaction was measured via transactional distances as well as by their willingness to recommend the course to a friend. A total of 602 responses were obtained, of which 402 were usable. Stepwise multiple regression was used to measure satisfaction. Logistic regression was used to determine which factors influenced students to recommend the course to a friend. The results indicated that there was no reason to believe that there was a significant difference in student satisfaction, nor in their willingness to recommend the course. We also did not find a difference in learning outcomes.

An Overview of the Development and Impact of MBA Programs in Pakistan

This article discusses Pakistan's MBA program development and impact. The report examines Pakistan's MBA education from its beginnings to its widespread adoption. Through academic sources, institution data, and industry interviews, this is achieved. MBA programs are driven by globalization, the company's need for managerial skills, and government efforts to boost higher education. The essay also covers Pakistani business schools' MBA programs, instructional methods, and accreditation systems. This study examines how MBA education affects students, employers, and society. The study uses qualitative and quantitative approaches to examine how Master of Business Administration degrees affect employment opportunities, managerial abilities, and socioeconomic situations. This paper analyzes Pakistani MBA schools' quality assurance, instructor shortage, and industry alignment issues. The study also examines how digitization, sustainability, and entrepreneurship may affect MBA education. This article discusses the impact of MBA programs on Pakistan's corporate environment and the purpose of increasing human capital. Research, collaboration, and creativity are essential to keeping MBA education relevant and effective in changing socioeconomic conditions, according to the statement.

Evidence of grade inflation in bachelor of business administration degrees in Turkey for the period from 2002 to 2022

The study analysed the change in the proportion of business management undergraduate programme graduates in Turkey who received honours (>2.99) over the past two decades. It also investigated the factors that contribute to grade inflation and the distribution of course grades. The research employed various statistical methods, including the random effects estimator, ANOVA, t-test, and ANCOVA, to examine the GPAs and 515,739 student grades from 12,579 courses taken by 46,416 graduates of business management undergraduate programmes at 40 universities between 2002 and 2022. According to our findings, the percentage of undergraduate business management students graduating with honours (>2.99) has increased from 11% in 2002 to 56% in 2022. The most significant increases occurred in 2021 and 2022, which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our research also revealed grade inflation, with a significant increase of 28% after controlling for variables that may affect graduation grades in Turkish undergraduate business management programmes. The factors that affect course grades include the student’s gender, grade level, language of instruction, instructor title, and course content. According to our findings, it can be concluded that the rapid expansion of undergraduate business management programmes in Turkey has resulted in a decline in qualifications. This, in turn, has led to a rise in grades.

Overconfidence and Preferences for Competition

ABSTRACTWe study when preferences for competition are a positive economic trait among high earners and the extent to which this trait can explain the gender gap in income among a master's degree in business administration (MBAs). Consistent with the experimental evidence, preferences for competition are a positive economic trait only for individuals who are not overconfident. Preferences for competition correlate with income only at graduation when bonuses are guaranteed and not a function of performance. Overconfident competition‐loving MBAs observe lower compensation and income growth, and experience greater exit from high‐reward industries and more frequent job interruptions. Preferences for competition do not explain the gender pay gap among MBAs.

Job-seeking Business Administration Degree Holders in Saudi Arabia Based on Universities Outcomes, Gender and Regions: Comparative Study

This study aims to not only investigate the employment outcomes of university graduates facing limited job opportunities but also identify regions with high unemployment rates. A sample of 3303 participants from the Statistics Authority's Jadarah program applicants in 2020 was used for this study. The sample was restricted to three universities: King Abdulaziz University, King Saud University, and Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University. The business administration specialization selected for analysis encompasses all academic levels (diploma to master's) and genders. A statistical analysis program, SPSS, was employed to analyze the data. The main result indicates that the university plays a role in increasing the opportunity of getting a job, and the Riyadh region has a high demand of job requests.

Knowledge and engagement of the sustainable development goals among undergraduate business students

This paper analyses the level of knowledge and engagement of the students of the Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Management (GADE) of the Faculty of Economics and Business (Gipuzkoa Section) of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) on the SDGs using Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Cluster Analysis. This analysis makes it possible to identify different patterns or profiles of student behavior in relation to sustainability. The results show the coexistence of four different patterns of behavior in relation to knowledge, perception, and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainability among students. We identify a first group comprising 23.4% of students with low knowledge and high commitment to the SDGs; a second group that includes 30.4% of students with high knowledge of and commitment to the SDGs; a third group comprising 30% of students with low knowledge of and commitment to the SDGs; and finally, a fourth group comprising 16.2% of students with high knowledge of and low commitment to the SDGs. This scenario suggests the necessity to make further progress in the incorporation of the sustainable development dimension in the teaching-learning processes.

Khushboo Pouch and Packaging – “adapt to change”: a case on succession planning

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes after reading and analysing this case study are dealing with the challenges of family business; learning the importance of succession planning; accepting the next generation and the role of the first generation; and understanding the decision-making skills and roles of the generations in family business. Case overview/synopsis Khushboo Pouch and Packaging was the first-generation initiative of Mr Bhavesh Udeshi. Mitesh Udeshi, son of Bhavesh Udeshi and the business’s sole successor, joined the firm in 2019 after graduating with a Master of Business Administration degree. Mitesh had desired to join his family firm since he was a teenager and aid the business with emerging business ideas. As a fresher, he applied his newly acquired theories to the company’s operations. He initiated several changes in the company; however, his actions were ineffective. He introduced modifications to the business premises, production units, marketing tactics, accounting department and product line extension for two years. Mitesh had intended to restructure his traditional firm in rational and innovative ways, but none of his plans had come to fruition. He failed because the firm’s change management was confronted with denial, rage, bargaining and melancholy from both his father and the employees. Amidst non-acceptance and inconsistency, he found himself in a quandary. He had two options: remain in the family firm and persevere in making his ambitions a reality or resign, find a job and embark on a new path. Unfortunately, leaving would indicate surrendering defeat after a two-year struggle. Study level/applicability Programmes: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programmes, MBA in Entrepreneurship and small businesses, and Post graduate diploma in management (PGDM). Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship

University graduates’ perceptions of institutional hierarchies. The case of Finnish Master’s degree in business administration and economics

ABSTRACT In the process of higher education choice, the prospective students compare and organise universities into a preference order, which indicates status hierarchies among institutions. In this study, the aim is to investigate how (and based on what) recent business graduates construct institutional hierarchies in the national higher education landscape in Finland. Moreover, we ask how the geographical location of universities contributes to such hierarchies. Based on 43 interviews with Master’s degree graduates from four universities and their satellite campuses, we argue that the long distances between universities in a geographically large country eventually contest the relevance of status comparisons between universities, when it actually comes to making a choice. This does not indicate, however, that institutional hierarchies would not exist nor be of relevance. Our findings reveal that hierarchy is produced through the perceived selectivity of admissions, future exchange value of education, and competitiveness/inclusiveness of student culture.

Enhancing students’ learning outcomes through smartphones: A case study of using instagram in higher management education

Social media have become an integral part of people's lives worldwide, particularly for students in higher education, most of whom belong to Generation Z. Hence, there is a need for universities to develop technological content adapted to the preferences of today's students. One of the most popular social media platforms is Instagram (IG); however, studies investigating how it can be used to support learning are scant, especially in the context of higher education institutions. Accordingly, using structural equation modelling (SEM), this study analyses the results of a project using IG as a supporting tool that complements traditional lectures to promote learning in a subject in a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree. The results show that the perceived usefulness of IG is the main predictor of students' satisfaction and perceived learning outcomes. Additionally, they highlight the value of using this social media platform to support and enhance the user-friendliness of courses to increase student engagement in higher management education contexts.

Early dropout predictors in social sciences and management degree students

ABSTRACT Student dropout is a major concern in studies investigating retention strategies in higher education. This study identifies which variables are important to predict student dropout, using academic data from 3583 first-year students on the Business Administration (BA) degree at the University of Barcelona (Spain). The results indicate that two variables, the percentage of subjects failed and not attended in the first semester, demonstrate significant predictive power. This has been corroborated with an additional sample of 10,784 students from three-degree programs (Law, BA, and Economics) at the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain), to assess the robustness of the results. Three different algorithms have also been utilized: neural networks, random forest, and logit. In the specific case of neural networks, the NeuralSens methodology has been employed, which is based on the use of sensitivities, allowing for its interpretation. The outcomes are highly consistent in all cases: both a simple model (logit) and more sophisticated ones (neural networks and random forest) exhibit high accuracy (correctly predicted values) and sensitivity (correctly predicted dropouts). In test set average values of 77% and 69% have been respectively achieved. In this regard, a noteworthy point is that only academic data from the university itself was used to develop the models. This ensures that there’s no dependence on other personal or organizational variables, which can often be difficult to access.

President of USF worked her way up the ladder

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA — It might come as a surprise that Rhea F. Law, the first graduate of the University of South Florida to become USF President, knows firsthand what it's like to work her way through school and up to the top of the career ladder. Law first started working as a university research project administrator at USF because it was the only way she could afford to go to college — she knew that employees had the benefit of taking six free credits per semester. At that rate, it took her 10 years of working full time to earn a bachelor's degree in business administration. Next, she cashed in her retirement fund to pay for law school, eventually earning a J.D. from the Stetson University College of Law.

Internationalizing the business school: A comparative analysis of English-medium and Spanish-medium instruction impact on student performance

Business degrees have been pioneers in adopting the internationalization of Higher Education Institutions with the option of English as Medium of Instruction (EMI). Research has grown about the EMI versus non-EMI lecturers and students’ performance measured through perception, motivation, discursive analysis or satisfaction measures. However, results have not been conclusive in the scarce number of papers comparing quantitative course grades of EMI versus non-EMI students. The aim of this research paper is to prove that there is no difference in attaining learning objectives among students within a Business Administration Degree in Spain regardless the language of instruction. The present observational study considers all enrolled freshman throughout a horizon of six consecutive years allowing more reliable results not affected by the specificities of courses or years. All 212 students in the EMI track were matched to non-EMI track counterparts taking into account all available covariates. Results not only show that there is no difference in the attained learning objectives between the two tracks, but also that EMI students' grades are in fact better than their non-EMI counterparts, which might help to remove the believe many still have on the lower academic attainment of those following an EMI track.