The Current State of the Market for MBAs in China
by Dr. Jonathan Di Rollo, Career Planner
Career Development China Co., Ltd.
For more than a year, I have been listening to MBA students, MBA Programme Faculty and Managers, and Human Resource professionals all across
For executives currently considering enrolling in an EMBA or International MBA programme in
Currently, on the mainland there are more than 166 MBA programmes at more than 80 institutions in more than 30 locations*. In 2003, total MBA applications were 35,777, down 20% from the previous year**. Given the continuing pace of economic development, notwithstanding government policy, the demand for MBAs will continue to increase. (see figure 1)
The number of Sino-foreign or 'mixed-blood' International MBA programmes delivered in
It is clear that applicants are becoming more discerning in their choice to study or not, and in which programmes to enroll. Clearly, return on investment for both executives and employers is becoming a more important issue as the fashion for simply taking an MBA in order to gain a business qualification decreases. EMBAs are increasingly self-funded.
Traditionally, an EMBA programme is intended to help those at director level move up to General Management positions within their companies. In the current market we are seeing an increasing number of EMBAs changing company and even changing career with many becoming entrepreneurs - a matter of concern to companies who previously supported their own employees in EMBA programmes. (see figure 2)
Emerging career development data shows that MBAs can add enormous value to a company, and that MBAs can greatly increase their positions and their salaries by selecting the right programme in order to achieve specific career development goals. This may not be reflected in the starting salary offers of young MBAs. But for middle and senior managers, the non-pecuniary benefits of a broader and more influential network of classmates with greater experience, combined with international study and company visits as well as greater management knowledge, are equally satisfying, if not directly quantifiable. (see figure 3)
Smart executives should ensure that the Admissions Officer of their chosen EMBA or IMBA programme is willing to admit higher quality students not only in terms of GMAT scores and foreign language skills, but also in terms of the depth and length of work experience and diversity
in backgrounds.
In researching this Executives' Edition of the China MBA Guide 2004, my colleagues and I have found a warm reception extended to us as entrepreneurs. The current culture of business in China is a good indication that, for people who want to gain a business education and then to apply it, an MBA in
**Chinese
Government National Statistics Bureau 2004
