QS Global 200 Business Schools Report 2012 - International ...

Strategy
As the ratings that make up the QS Global 200 Business
Schools Report are based on MBA recruiters’ opinions of
MBA graduates’ abilities in strategy, MBA programs
that include elements of strategy, as well as those that
specialize in it are included in the ratings. Business
schools that emphasize strategy as part of their
standard programs, and MBA programs specifically
specializing in strategy can place successful alumni in
careers focusing on new commercial avenues, as well
as modernizing the management of existing business
structures.
Lydia Price is associate dean and MBA director at
CEIBS, which has featured prominently in the strategy
rating for two years running. She explains that an MBA
specialization in strategy will equip a graduate with
the required skills to prosper in a career in business
management:
“Key lessons would include: industry and
environmental analysis, internal analysis and
competitive advantage, organizational structure,
design and alignment, market evolution and
dynamics; in addition to many specialized topics for
specific industries, world regions or stages of market
development. Strategy draws upon all of the business
and market fundamentals, so it is important that a
specialized strategy curriculum also includes a solid
grounding in topics such as economics, accounting,
finance, marketing, organizations, and operations.”
She says that in today’s “competitive market place,
strategy is a critical management resource. A strategy
specialization trains students to see the enterprise as a
whole, and to understand how and why a manager
can make a difference to the performance of the entire
firm. Strategy helps to align the company’s activities to
ensure long-term success. It also takes a holistic view of
the organization and its industry in making decisions.
MBAs with a solid grounding in strategy will be valued
for their ability to drive the business forward and to take
the firm into new directions.”
Business schools in North America, Europe and Asia-
Pacific feature prominently in the ratings. There are 21
business schools from North America, 17 from Europe
and 11 from the Asia-Pacific region.
Due to the innovative nature of strategy in business
school teaching, business gurus have a big influence
on the perceived excellence of institutions. Harvard
Business School continues to hold the top spot in the
rating. Its strategy unit, faculty and research department
puts it in a favorable light among employers who are
looking to recruit MBAs with a strong focus in strategy.
The Wharton School, Stanford University’s Graduate
School of Business, and The Kellogg School of
Management are the three US business schools that join
Harvard in scoring 100 in the employers’ index vote. All
four schools have a strong presence in the teaching of
strategy, with many of their professors authoring books
on strategy, or writing thought provoking analysis for
world renowned academic journals.
European business schools are considered by
employers to perform very well in arming their MBA
graduates with an in-depth knowledge of business
strategy. Six European schools appear in the top 20:
INSEAD, France;
London Business School;
IMD;
IE Business School;
IESE Business School;
HEC Paris.
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Once again in the Asia-Pacific region, India appears to
be leading the way in the strategy specialization. Of the
11 business schools in the Asia-Pacific region featured in
the rating, four are located in India:
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad;
Indian School of Business;
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore;
S P Jain Institute of Management and Research.
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