跨領域人脈經營與MBA教育之探索性研究

Abstract

Globalization and economic realities in the aftermath of a recent global recession provide some incentive for more individuals to enroll in an MBA program to improve their future job outlook. Critics contend that MBA education is often too canonical and authoritarian at a time when our world and organizations are becoming networks of eclectic knowledge. Rapidly advancing technologies and ever expanding market opportunities indicate that a different kind of leader, manager, entrepreneur is needed, and so too, perhaps an added emphasis in leadership education. This paper argues that more highly skilled and capable boundary-spanners are needed that can identify and resolve complex issues being faced by managers, entrepreneurs and leaders across professions, organizations, and countries. Business school MBA programs have provided a channel for leadership development and therefore can have a significant impact in facing this growing need. It is suggested that boundary-spanner education should involve a more critical focus on communication skills, networking and culture-brokering – concerns unintentionally being left to chance in many business schools today. Based on a study that included International MBA and Global MBA program students at five top university graduate business schools in Taiwan, recommendations are offered to help enhance boundary-spanner education. In their rather unique cross-cultural context, students enrolled in these I/GMBA programs offer constructive insight into how we may equip future managers, entrepreneurs and leaders with the boundary-spanner skills and abilities required in a complex global environment.

Globalization and economic realities in the aftermath of a recent global recession provide some incentive for more individuals to enroll in an MBA program to improve their future job outlook. Critics contend that MBA education is often too canonical and authoritarian at a time when our world and organizations are becoming networks of eclectic knowledge. Rapidly advancing technologies and ever expanding market opportunities indicate that a different kind of leader, manager, entrepreneur is needed, and so too, perhaps an added emphasis in leadership education. This paper argues that more highly skilled and capable boundary-spanners are needed that can identify and resolve complex issues being faced by managers, entrepreneurs and leaders across professions, organizations, and countries. Business school MBA programs have provided a channel for leadership development and therefore can have a significant impact in facing this growing need. It is suggested that boundary-spanner education should involve a more critical focus on communication skills, networking and culture-brokering – concerns unintentionally being left to chance in many business schools today. Based on a study that included International MBA and Global MBA program students at five top university graduate business schools in Taiwan, recommendations are offered to help enhance boundary-spanner education. In their rather unique cross-cultural context, students enrolled in these I/GMBA programs offer constructive insight into how we may equip future managers, entrepreneurs and leaders with the boundary-spanner skills and abilities required in a complex global environment.