MBA imaginaries: Projections of internationalization

Elliott, C. and Robinson, S. (2012) MBA imaginaries: Projections of internationalization. Management Learning, 43(2), pp. 157-181. (doi: 10.1177/1350507611428854)

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Abstract

In analysing four UK Business Schools’ webpages and student interviews, this article explores instances of MBA internationalization through the lens of the social imaginary: that is, the way in which people imagine their social existence and ambitions and means they employ to reinforce and achieve these. Using as heuristics three suggested MBA imaginary types, the ‘managerial’, ‘international managerial’ and ‘cosmopolitan’ as part of a four-stage hermeneutic analysis, distinctive approaches to internationalization at each institution are identified. However, the analysis also reveals that webpages portray mixed messages which do not necessarily support each school’s distinct approach in terms of students’ learning, pedagogy or curriculum. We suggest that the use of these MBA imaginaries and their accompanying forms of international capital could act as a framework to inform the development and projection of international MBA pedagogy and curricula.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Robinson, Professor Sarah
Authors: Elliott, C., and Robinson, S.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
Journal Name:Management Learning
Publisher:SAGE
ISSN:1350-5076
ISSN (Online):1461-7307

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