Enhancing Leadership Development in Kenyan MBA Programs

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which MBA graduates perceived their MBA education experience to have contributed towards the development of global leadership competencies in their lives. The collected data related to what the respondents perceived to have observed vis-à-vis what they would have considered adequate for the development of global leadership competencies. Stratified sampling technique was used to select the respondents using disproportionate allocation of respondents within strata. Data relating to the key research objectives were analyzed using nonparametric tests specifically the Chi-square goodness of fit test and Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The study found a significant relationship between selected global leadership competencies and career success. Considering the amount of time allocated to the development of selected competencies, frequency of use of selected instructional methods, integration of theory with practice and, integration of MBA education with leadership values and ethics, the study concluded that the MBA education as offered in Kenyan business schools is not perceived by the respondents to be significantly enhancing the development of global leadership competencies among MBA graduates.

Benson Katulwa is a senior lecturer in the School of Professional Studies at Scott Christian University. Prior to this, he served as the director of the Master of Arts in Leadership Program at Pan Africa Christian University (2008-2014). Benson earned his first degree (BA) from the University of Nairobi (1989), his second degree (MAL) from Pan Africa Christian University (2005), a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) in 2012 from the Swiss Management Centre University (Switzerland) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (PhD) from University of Central Nicaragua. In addition, he holds a Certificate in 'Excellence in Teaching Online' from Washington State University Global Campus. Dr. Katulwa has a wide experience in teaching, training and advising graduate students in leadership and business field; a founding member of the Global Lead Alliance (GLA), which promotes networking of organizations involved in leadership development around the world. Through GLA he has been involved in the training of church leaders in Kenya, India and Malawi. He is currently involved in research and training in the field of business leadership and management.