Letters: It's not just B-schools

Apropos Subrata Chakraborty's article "What they don't teach you at B-schools" (May 30), the writer is in good company with Peter Drucker and Henry Mintzberg in criticising the so-called irrelevance of management education in meeting employers' needs. The other side of the issue is: whether MBAs turn into "creative leaders" or "masters of analysis" depends much on the organisational culture and the type of leadership provided in their formative years. In a supportive, intra-entrepreneurial environment they - imbued with new ideas, updated learning and cognitive skills - establish their credentials. In a stifling climate, the budding genius is nipped in the bud. Failure of MBAs, if any, has to be shared by companies too.

Having worked on both sides of the fence - 37 years in industry and 15 years in management teaching - I wonder whether business also should not adapt its policy and approach to benefit from business education. In other words, should MBAs be taught business ethics or the negotiating skills to get the company's job done with the minimum bribe to officials - the sales tax, excise and labour departments? Management lays considerable stress on trust building in leadership. Should it be replaced with how to indulge in clandestine practices to break trade unions and "resolve" employee discontent? It's time business leaders and management institutes worked together to minimise the gap between reality and rationality. This will reduce the "reality shock" on both sides and make MBAs more productive.

Y G Chouksey, Pune

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