The Role of the MBA in the UK

Two recently published reports — “The Making of British Managers” by John Constable and Roger McCormick, and “The Making of Managers” by Charles Handly — are compared, and their differing emphasis on the future role of the MBA is discussed. There are three possible roles for the MBA: an early accelerator for potential high‐fliers, a broadening mechanism for mid‐career managers, or a specialist qualification in particular areas. Both problems and opportunities are suggested by this analysis.