Yes, but intuitively

One of the dominant myths surrounding an MBA degree relates to the rigidity of the learning that is disseminated. A large section of people believe that MBA is a course where too much theory is ingrained into topics that are largely intuitional. In effect, the belief translates into saying that MBA makes robots of highly innovative people, by establishing closed stereotypes and binding their intellect into preconceived notions. This can’t be further from the truth.

Any person with a reasonable knowledge of what goes on inside an MBA classroom will vouch for the fact that it employs, arguably, the most innovative teaching pedagogy. The case study method developed by the Harvard Business School, the Vatican City of management education, has come to be widely accepted in management institutions all over the world, largely due to its effectiveness in enabling the target audience to understand new concepts by applying them to real market scenarios. But if we look beneath the surface, it’s easy to see that the participative mechanism which the method uses is as crucial to its success. Every opinion undergoes a process of evolution and modification, as a case discussion moves forward. By invoking the participants to jointly analyze a given situation and recommend solutions, an effort is made towards making sure that the concepts, rather than being thrust upon them, come to be appreciated as worthy of application in real life.

A skeptic might still say that though the concepts are evolved, they still tend to limit the field of view of the participant when it comes to analyzing a given situation; aren’t we killing intuition by emphasizing on the application of these concepts? It is relevant to note here that the concepts taught in any MBA course are merely tools to facilitate reaching a conclusion. Let’s take a situation in marketing as an example. A marketing opportunity may be perceived differently by two individuals, who can then make use of marketing tools and concepts and still reach two different marketing strategies. It is possible that both the strategies work. Also possible is that none of them give the desired results. It is here that intuition comes into play and demands creativity from the individuals in their approach. There are several such situations which demand subjectivity. More often than not, it is the combination of rationale and intuition that proves to be the best answer.

An MBA course aims to provide students a holistic view of the business world. Ingraining stereotypes among students would be as detrimental to the students as to the discipline itself. The general environment that an MBA course provides also facilitates exchange of ideas and learning. MBAs have time and again showcased their penchant for innovation and their ability to break out of the clutter. This has only been possible due to the high value that MBA places on openness to experience and readiness to change.

(If you are pro-MBA, then be happy! If you aren’t, then read this as a sarcastic take on MBA. As for me, I am still undecided. Bah!)