New research shows studying an MBA significantly improves women’s career capital
Findings from Dr Elizabeth Houldsworth's research suggest the MBA could be key in improving gender equality.
Henley Business School releases new research from Dr Elizabeth Houldsworth that shows women who took part in an MBA programme improved in all three areas of career capital, but most significantly in their work purpose, motivational energy, confidence, self-efficacy and identity.
The research demonstrates how the MBA might serve as an important step towards gender equality by supporting women in the development of careers in business and management.
The research paper examines the impact of the MBA on the three dimensions of career capital (the qualities, knowledge and connections an individual possesses to progress at work) – knowing why, knowing how and knowing whom.
Findings reveal women reported increases in all three dimensions of career capital, with statistically significant gains in the ‘knowing why’ aspect. The ‘knowing why’ dimension of career capital describes the work purpose, motivational energy, confidence, self-efficacy and identity that an individual has in their career.
The other two dimensions of career capital, ‘knowing how’ (the skills, experience, qualifications and knowledge needed for progression and success) and ‘knowing whom’ (the beneficial connections and networks), also saw gains over the course of the MBA. Given that women are typically seen to be disadvantaged in terms of access to beneficial networks, it was particularly interesting that there was no difference between men and women in terms of their ‘knowing-whom’ increase, lending credence to the view that MBA programmes can help support gender equality.