The Effects of Graduate Management Training on Subsequent Job Success: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a five-year longitudinal study in which the subsequent success of 41 MBA managers was compared to that of 41 non-MBA managers, matched initially for age, tenure, speciality, position, experience and training. Initially there were no differences between the groups in salary, positional level, or job satisfaction. However, after five years, the MBA managers earned significantly more and occupied significantly higher positions than their non-MBA counterparts, but there was no difference in their satisfaction with their jobs. The results are taken as evidence that post-graduate management training can improve one's chances of success, at least in terms of salary earned and position attained. Further research is needed to uncover the reasons for this effect.

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