Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / The demand for business schools has risen worldwide over the last decade as new and emerging
challenges confront the competitive business landscape. It is estimated that there are currently
over 700 registered business schools around the globe. Potential students, therefore, have a wider
choice between business schools especially since more business schools have internationalised
their curricula. Business school reputation, amongst others, is still regarded as the single most
important criterion of choice for students in their endeavours to obtain an international business
qualification.
This study analyses and assesses the strategic architecture of a capita selecta of international
business schools. It also summarises the significant similarities and differences between the
strategic architecture of the schools assessed. The research question can be stated as follows:
What can be learnt from the strategic architecture of a Capita Selecta of international business
schools?
A related question is:
What are the similarities and differences between the strategic architecture of these schools?
This study focuses on a qualitative methodological approach and is done from a functionalist
research paradigm. An encompassing literature review was undertaken during which different
accreditation vehicles and the importance of an organisation’s strategic architecture in ensuring its
competitive advantage and profitability are discussed and argued
The empirical investigation is aimed at analysing and assessing the strategic architecture of five (5)
international business schools. The case study is used as investigative instruments. The research
findings have shown that accreditation alone, although very important, is not the main differentiator
and source of competitive advantage. Schools employ various strategies to ensure their relevance
and competitiveness.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/21374 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | De Jager, Leon |
| Contributors | Burger, Johan, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Graduate School of Business. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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