International American UniversityKings College Architecting futureKathmandu, Nepal

Research proposal on: perception towards MBA Submitted by: Bikram prajapati Submitted to: Prabhat Upreti, Kings college

April 2014iv

Acknowledgement

I would like to express deep gratitude to my research Design professor Prabhat Upreti sir. I have learned many things from his class. He spend very much time to instruct me on how to select research topic, how to search literature review, how to collect data and how to use various statistics tool to analyze the data. Also I specially thank to MIS teacher Sanjay Pudashani to guide me through all the research proposal phase. He helped me to format question and suggest me which type of question need to include for best research result output.Special thanks given to the Kings college for helping me to conduct the research in the premises of college and thanks to all the teacher and student for their support and encouragement.Last but not the least, thanks to all the friend and colleagues who helps me and support me to conduct the research. Without their support it will be very difficult to me to conduct the research.

Table of content

Acknowledgement1Table of content2List of figure3Chapter 1: Introduction41.1 Background of the study41.1.1 Definition of MBA41.1.2: Value of MBA51.1.3: History of MBA51.2 Problem Statement61.3. Objective of Study61.4 Theoretical Framework71.4.1 Dependent and independent Variable91.4.2 Research question and Hypothesis:9Chapter 2: Literature Review11Chapter 3: Research Design133.1 Types of Research to be used133.2 Sources of Data133.3 Questioner Design133.4 Measurement / Scaling133.5 Sampling Design133.5.1 Sampling technique133.5.2 Sample143.6 Data Management and Analysis14References15

List of figure

Fig 1: Characteristics of individual MBA seeker and MBA program.6Fig 2: MBA intervention after MBA7

Chapter 1: Introduction

Education is essential for everyone. In the era of the globalization, strategy and innovation are changing all the time, the level of education helps to people understand about changing circumstances and it helps to grape the opportunity and knowledge. In the recent year the trend has been change there is high demand of skill labor in market. To cope these demand, educational institution is needed. Out of the different scheme study area, probably the most famous and attractive study is Master in Business Administration course.1.1 Background of the studyThe Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is one of the most popular qualifications in management education and has become almost a requirement in some business circles. The ability to think analytically and strategically, complemented by leadership skills, quantitative skills and communication skills, are attributes that encourage the corporate sector to hire MBA graduates. I hope that doing research on the field of MBA, student perception toward MBA will be useful to understand different factor that student consider while doing MBA. .The MBA program is recognized worldwide and is considered as a major step towards a successful business management career. They will meet new people, share experiences, and discover new horizons and careers they never knew existed. MBA also gives them confidence and maturity they never had before (Bryne , 1993). The course is designed both for students and professionals who wish to upgrade their management skills and qualifications to become successful businessman and entrepreneurs in future1.1.1 Definition of MBAThe MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a masters degree in business management and administration. It is generally a 2 year, full-time program taught in business schools of major universities and colleges. An applicant must pass the graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for admission. The instruction is made up of theoretical and practical training, and degree holders can opt for specialization in marketing, finance, international business and human resource management. IN recent decades, students are acquiring MBA degrees in techno-commercial management as well. Professionals with MBA degree is highly sought in the marketplace and generally lead challenging and fulfilling careers (Pallab, 2009).1.1.2: Value of MBAThe scope of MBA program is growing tremendously. The MBA qualification seen as passport to managerial and leadership skill. According to Thompson and Gui (2000), the demand for MBA programs among Asians is driven by the fact that the MBA program will help graduates by preparing them for managerial roles. Students in this sample appeared to have more interest in enriching their management skills and capabilities, ranging from better power of analysis to certain functional managerial skills. The improvement in career development after obtaining an MBA is one of the values that MBA graduates are looking for upon completion of the program. It appears that having a management qualification is a basic demand for achieving senior management positions. The value of MBA for an individual can be viewed as career development, increase in salary, increase in reputation, improve in knowledge and many more. The value of MBA program is increasing in Nepal too. Almost from all the faculty student does MBA as there is high demand of MBA graduate. The value that is adding by MBA also well recognized by company.1.1.3: History of MBA Master of Business Administration (MBA) has begun in the 20th century in United State of America. In Nepal it has been new course, in recently there are number of MBA colleges in Nepal, there are two categories of MBA colleges in Nepalthose that are affiliated with domestic universities and others affiliated with international universities. Most of colleges running MBA programs in the country are affiliated with domestic universities likeKathmandu University, Pokhara University, Tribhuvan University and Purbanchal University.Over the past few years, Nepal has witnessed the entry of MBA colleges with international affiliation. Institutions like King's College, KFA, Lord Buddha Education Foundation (LBEF), ICA, Nepal Information Technology and the institute of Banking and Management Studies (IBMS) are offering MBA degrees in affiliation to various international universities. Intercontinental American University (USA), Sikkim Manipal University (India), IGNOU (India) and Vinayak Mission University (India) are some of them (EducateNepal, 2013)In Nepal there are 27 colleges who are offering MBA ( EMBA, entrepreneurship ) currently. There are high demand of MBA graduate in the market and colleges are using these situation as an opportunity for them. Most of college are offering executive MBA, full time MBA, MBA entrepreneurship and part time MBA. Master of Business Administration (MBA) allows students to work while studying at the same time, so called part -time MBA, this type of MBA is considered to be very preference and biggest growth. 1.2 Problem Statement Today MBA is growing so fast, many people doing MBA because other are doing. This research try to find out why people do MBA and while doing MBA what is most important factor that student consider. Many people does MBA for various reason. This research will try to find out what is internal and external motivation that drive to student to do MBA.Many student doing MBA at various college for various reason but the problem is that whether the learning education is improving their business or work. This research can be used by various college for developing various infrastructure that student consider before joining MBA. It helps to improve their curriculum and teaching method. It gives overview why student want to do MBA, what factor student consider before choosing MBA College, what will be the expectation?1.3. Objective of Study The main objective of this is to identify different variable that student consider before choosing MBA. It try to find out why people does MBA? Whether they are doing for improving their knowledge or they are just doing because there is high salary offered for an MBA? What is the inner and external motivation for joining an MBA? To determine the relationship between age and pursuing behavior of student towards MBA. To identify various variable like college infrastructure, management of college that student look out before selecting any MBA college To examine whether there is gender inequality in MBA education. To know the bachelor background study of MBA student To find out what the external innovation factor behind doing MBA. To establish relationship between MBA student satisfaction with college management. To know the current interest level of student who are doing MBA and to know whether they are satisfied with the service that college are providing.1.4 Theoretical FrameworkMBA has become one of the most popular fields of study. It is important to note that potential MBA degree seekers could have a wide variety of backgrounds with respect to age, education, duration and type of work experience, gender, ethnicity and academic/scholarly orientation (Iwasaki , Dec 16, 2005). As the research shows there is significant relationship between the salary and degree of MBA. Most of the people in western done MBA for improving their knowledge but still in the east people does as expectation of company pays good salary to them. In his article Maria Alexandra Bujor describe 5 good reason to do an MBA in his Thesis are high salary, better career opportunity, better business network consolidate, New skill and knowledge acquisition and A holistic perspective over the business world. People do MBA for different reason but the ultimate expectation of degree is to improve standard of life wither paying high salary or improving knowledge.Tangible Intangible Individual Difference Knowledge Experience MotivationAge Education Background Gender Experience

Individual MBA seeker

Curriculum Structure Teaching StyleAffiliationFull-time MBAPart-time MBAExecutive MBAMBA entrepreneurship

Program Fig 1: Characteristics of individual MBA seeker and MBA program.

An MBA program is explicitly aimed to add value to graduate students giving them Business-related knowledge and managerial skills. According to Business School Research there are 9 Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing an MBA Program. That is post MBA goals, Ranking, Accreditaion, curriculum and internship, class diversity, Alumni network, psot MBA salary, carrer service and aluminum feedback. In my research I will try to find some of the factor that people consider like Post MBA goals, according to background and motivation people chose MBA for switch job functions, increase prospects globally, or use it to explore various career options.i will alos like to student pereption on chosing MBA college based on colege ranking nad their affiliation, the alumuni that college had and currrculium and internship.The tangible charcterstics of MBA seeker can easily measureable through the set of questioner but to measure intangible properties we have to convert each answer into respective numerical value and thus we able to meausre it.there are number of independet variable that we need to measure the relationship with MBA program.Financial benefitEmployability Shift in careerConfidence in Knowledge Career growth Alumina Network

MBA intervention

Fig 2: MBA intervention of student

1.4.1 Dependent and Independent VariableThe various independent variable that I try to find the relationship with the dependent variable MBA study are:Age : what is average age of student who are doing MBA?Gender: whether there is gender enquality or not in nepali society while pursuing MBA.Educational Background: from whose background ,student pursue MBA degree like engineering , management, arts etc.External factor: Various factor like college infrastrcture, alumini network, curriculum, manageent team that effect the slection of MBA college.Post MBA goals: The main objective of this research is to idnefiy why people are doing MBA whther they want carrer change, or for high salary or for personal skills and knowledge development.1.4.2 Research Question and Hypothesis:The main aim of this research is to find out student perception towards MBA course. Its try to explore why MBA are so being popular among all the field of education. The main three question that I try to investigate are:RQ1 : there are different external factor that effect the choice of MBA college. Which college are best and why? Its all dependent upon various factor like college infrastructure, management structure, curriculum, teaching style etc and I like to examine what is most significant variable that student consider.Null hypothesis: there is no significant relationship between various factor and student decision to choose college. Alternative hypothesis: there is significant relationship between various factor and student decision to choose collegeRQ2: all the student who are currently studying MBA may not be from management background. My study try to explore bachelor background of the student. The background education can also impact on satisfaction of student toward MBA.Null hypothesis: there is significant relationship between bachelor education and MBA pursuing behavior.Alternative hypothesis: there is no significant relationship between bachelor education and MBA pursuing behavior.RQ3: different student doing MBA for various reason. My research will try to find out what is student MBA intervention that driving them towards into the class of MBA? There are various factor that motivates student. There are two debate: people do MBA for increase their knowledge and skills and people do not for improving knowledge and skills they do it for another reason. So I decide to examine relationship with pursuing behavior of MBA study with post goal of MBA.Null hypothesis: Student does MBA for to increase their knowledge and skills.Alternative hypothesis: Student does MBA not for to increase their knowledge and skills.RQ4: this research will try to find out potential energy level of student. Whether their knowledge are growing or not? Whether they are satisfied with college management. Curriculum structure, teaching style etc. the finding of this question will be very useful to the college in order to build necessary infrastructure to attract new student.

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Chapter 2: Literature Review

The literature review section traverses through various research studies intended towards understanding students perception about MBA. 2012 MBA .com Prospective Students Survey Report explores the motivations, behaviors, program choices, and intended career outcomes of individuals who expressed a desire to further their education in a graduate business program. Interest in MBA Is Strong on the Rise. The majority of todays prospective student respondents were only interested in pursuing an MBA degree (55%), a figure that has remained steady since 2009. Demand for masters programs is greatest among the youngest cohort of prospects, where more than 50 percent of applicants to management, accounting, and finance programs are younger than 24 years of age.Students perceptions relating to their expertise of study in a global branch field was assessed against seven dimensions i.e. learning resources, quality of lecturers and teaching, student learning, program effectiveness, use of technology, assessment and feedback, facilities and quality of social life, during a UAE study. The results showed that these international branch campus of US, UK and Australia were performing well and largely the students were satisfied (Wilkins, Balakirshna , & Huisman, 2012). A paper that aimed to examine the issue of quality as determined by Australian and international students found that there were significant differences between international and Australian students perceptions. Among the various factors, academic instruction was the most critical aspect of quality of education (Gatfield , Barker, & Graham, 1999).According to the prospective management survey done by graduate management council (2012) top motivation for pursuing a graduate management education is for to increased job opportunities (70%), increased salary potential (67%), develop business KSAs ( 66%), accelerate care path (63%), develop leadership skills (58%) and for managerial skills (57%). The research also show lower motivation that drive a student to do management graduate is to improve in the effectiveness in job (46%). In my research I would try to find out as what will be the top motivation that driving student to do MBA in Nepal.According to master thesis report of Iwasaki (2005) , research done on Japan and USA seperately, the results supported hypothesis on financial benefit and showed MBA graduates earn higher income than people without MBA in Japan, The US and also in the combined sample. The results also showed MBA intervention positively impacted career growth for those who are working in the US. However, our results did not show any correlation between MBA intervention and employability, job satisfaction, confidence in knowledge and skills, career growth or status in Japan.The results of research Quality in an MBA program: students perceptions done by Ainin Sulaiman and Suhana Mohezar (2008) at University of Malaya indicate that the University MBA program increases the learning skills of its participants. The overall conclusion is that students have reaped benefits from their studies and are satisfied with their careers. The added value that an MBA provides can be seen from the students achievement in terms of competency and personal skills acquired.Research has shown that, while undertaking an MBA, the majority of students will change jobs at least once and again within six months of completing the degree (job change is number 33 on the list of stressful events). This is often the result of the individual feeling that they are not being given the responsibilities, stature and remuneration that they feel they deserve in their current position and as they progress through the MBA program, they feel an added confidence in their abilities, not only to perform better, but to seek a position that will reward them for this (change in work responsibilities, number 45 on the list) (Henely Business School).In Canada, the average age of an MBA student is 29.9 years. There is no apparent correlation between the age of a student and the size, reputation, and/or ranking of the MBA school he or she attends. However, there is a proportional relationship between age and work experience (Canada's Higher education and Guide , 2013). Nonbusiness undergraduates were much more likely than business undergraduates to consider only MBA programs (Graduate management council, 2012).Based on the available information I formulate the hypothesis for my research and I try o find out what is relevant factor that affect the choice of MBA and post MBA goals of the studentChapter 3: Research Design

An MBA program is explicitly aimed to add value to graduate students giving them business-related knowledge and managerial skills. Empirical studies seem to lend support for this contention. In the USA, (Boyatiz & Renio, 1989)have showed that an MBA program had a significant positive effect on graduates managerial competencies in areas of information analysis, quantitative analysis, and implementation of projects. The research design part include the research methodology and tools that will be used to measure the outcome of result. The research focus on above three question and try to explore student perspectives towards the MBA degree.3.1 Types of Research to be used I will use the quantitative research technique. Different question will be asked to respondent to identify the relationship between various variable and MBA degree.3.2 Sources of Data The main sources of data will be primary and it will be collected through quantitative research technique. The student who are doing MBA will be requested to fill form the research question.3.3 Questioner Design The questioner design will be done based on different variable that is raise in the problem statement. The series of the question will be formed and ask to fulfill by MBA student. The quantitative research will be done. The different statistics test will be done to measure the reliability and validity of the collected data. Student name and address, their current educational level will be recorded to valid the research program.3.4 Measurement / Scaling In the first part of the questionnaire through completion-type questions, graduates provided information of demographic characteristics. In the second part, through single response answer, multiple, a Likert-type of scale respondents were asked to evaluate their post MBAs goals for employability and improving career, alumni network, better job opportunity. Thus respondents self-reporting allowed us to analyze graduates attitudes and perceptions and helps to examine closely the research questions.3.5 Sampling DesignThe sample of mine research will be the student who are currently doing MBA in Kings colleges. Such that MBA student will be my respondent.3.5.1 Sampling techniqueSimple random sampling technique will be used to collect the data. 3.5.2 Sample Due to the limitation of time and money, I will limit my research to around 100 respondent. 3.6 Data Management and Analysis The data will be collected through primary survey where respondent are requested to full fill the set of question. These answer will be store in appropriated data analyze tool like SPSS. All the collected data will be converted into meaning full form of numerical value and will be stored in data analysis toolTo analyze and to report the finding different software and tool will be used.The data will be enter to the SPSS and will be analyze through SPSS. I like to perform descriptive analysis, pie chart diagram will be draw to show the various relation, correlation and regression will be compute.Microsoft word can be used as report writing tool.

ReferencesBoyatiz, R., & Renio, A. (1989). The impact of an MBA programme on managerial abilites. Journal of management development, Vol 8 No 5 Pp 66-77.Bryne , A. J. (1993). The Best Business School ( 3rd edi). McGraw-Hill.Bujor, M. A. (n.d.). Study Portals for Master. Retrieved from 5 very good reason to do MBA: http://www.mastersportal.eu/articles/340/5-very-good-reasons-to-do-an-mba.htmlBusiness School Research. (n.d.). Retrieved from 9 Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing an MBA Program: http://www.f1gmat.com/mba-selection-criteriaCanada's Higher education and Guide . (2013). Average Age for Canadian MBA student. Retrieved from Canadian Universities .net : http://www.canadian-universities.net/MBA/MBA_Student_Age.htmlEducateNepal. (2013, Dec 19). MBA colleges in Nepal. Retrieved from http://www.educatenepal.com/career_articles/display/mba-colleges-in-nepalGatfield , T., Barker, M., & Graham, P. (1999). Measuring Student Quality Variables and the Implications for Management Practices in Higher Education Institutions: an Australian and international student perspective: . Journal of Higher Education Policy and management, 21 (2), 239-252.Graduate management council. (2012). MBA .com Prospective Student Survey. Retrieved from http://www.gmac.com/~/media/Files/gmac/Research/prospective-student-data/2012prospectivestudentssr.pdfHenely Business School. (n.d.). Stress and the MBA. Retrieved from MBA, your job and finances: http://www.mba.co.za/article.aspx?s=50&a=2207Iwasaki , T. (Dec 16, 2005). Why an MBA? MAster Thesis. Netherlands: University of Twente.Pallab, D. (2009). Definition of MBA degree. Retrieved from www.ehow.com/about_5176078_definition-mba-degree.htmlSulaiman , A., & Mohezar, S. (2008). Quality in an MBA program: students perceptions. University of Malaya. Retrieved from www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/bmaf/documents/.../IJME7no2Paper1.pdfWilkins, S., Balakirshna , S. M., & Huisman, J. (2012). Student satisfaction and student perceptions of quality at international branch campuses in the United Arab Emirates. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, Vol 34 (5), 543-556.

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