Research on the Impact of Learning

The CTLC is involved in research focused on understanding the value of management education to individuals and organisations. Specifically, various research studies are underway to answer questions such as:

• How effective are management development programmes in providing value to organizations? What are the drivers and catalysts of effective “learning” in such programmes?
  
  
• What are the returns to students from an MBA? How do these vary over time, and by student characteristics?
  
  
• Do managers with MBAs add value to firms compared to managers without MBA?
  
  
• What is the impact of business school resources, such as faculty, curriculum, infrastructure
  and placement services on student success?

To answer many of the above questions, the Centre is working with various faculty in conducting a research study titled, The ISB Outcomes Study (TIOS). More information on TIOS is available here.

Research in Progress

Title: The Impact of Peers on Academic Achievement: Formal versus Informal Peers
Authors: Tarun Jain and Mudit Kapoor
Abstract: We investigate the impact of formal and informal business school peers on academic achievement of students. Using random assignment of students to study and residential groups, we find that informal social interaction with residential peers has greater impact on academic achievement than formal interaction in study groups. This result is primarily driven by group heterogeneity in ability. Moreover, we also find that lower ability students benefit more from their peers than high ability students.  (Draft of paper available)

Title: The Impact of Training on Sales Force Productivity
Authors: Amit Mehra and Arun Pereira
Abstract:  We first integrate two “learning” models, one that focuses on drivers of learning and the other that focuses on the impact of learning; second, we apply this model in the context of sales force training and productivity. This is a unique approach to understand the drivers and impact of training programmes in an area where productivity is typically driven by various types of incentives, rather than training.  

Title: The Impact of Recession on Managerial Skills
Authors: Tarun Jain and Anand Nandakumar
Abstract: We provide evidence that managers endogenously determine skills in recessions. If recessions have an asymmetric affect within different divisions of the firm, then generalist managers become relatively more valuable compared to specialist managers during a recession since firms can substitute them between different divisions. In response to the shift in skill demand, we argue that managers should acquire more generalist skills during a recession and more specialist skills in boom years. Using data from a large premium business school in India, we show that early career managers shift their skills from greater specialization in high growth years to higher generalization in a recession. This skill shift has a long term effect on the distribution of managerial skills in the economy.

Title: The Impact of Faculty Characteristics on Student Performance
Author: Tarun Jain
Abstract: I examine the impact of faculty characteristics, such as gender, experience, education and visiting status on student achievement. Unlike the prior literature where course section is an endogenous choice, I exploit the random allocation of students to core sections with different faculty assignments. I use major choice and performance in elective courses in the same area as outcome variables to measure the effectiveness of teaching.

Measurement of Programme Learning Goals
The CTLC is actively involved in the measurement of the learning goals, for ISB's PGP and PGPMAX programmes.


PGP Programme Learning Goals

Effective Oral Communication
Each student shall be able to communicate verbally in an organized, clear, and persuasive manner, and be a responsive listener.

Critical and Integrative Thinking
Each student shall be able to identify key issues in a business setting, develop a perspective that is supported with relevant information and integrative thinking, to draw and assess conclusions.

Interpersonal Awareness and Working in Teams
Each student shall demonstrate an ability to work effectively in a team, exhibiting behavior that reflects an understanding of the importance of individual roles and tasks, and the ability to manage conflict and compromise, so that team goals are achieved 

Ethical Responsibility
Each student shall be able to identify ethical issues, understand the impact of a particular issue on various stakeholders, recognize the rights and responsibilities of the stakeholders, and systematically analyse the pros and cons of any decision related to the ethical issue.

Awareness of Global Issues Affecting Business
Each student shall be able to identify key relevant global factors, and be able to analyse the impact of the global environment on business issues, as compared with domestic factors.

Specific Traits/Objectives for each learning goal are available here


PGPMAX Programme Learning Goals 

Leadership Skills
Have heightened awareness of what it takes to exercise effective leadership at senior levels, through key initiatives, effective execution, influencing, inspiring, and empowering people and managing change.

Critical Thinking and Integrative Thinking
Demonstrate an ability to identify the central problem/issue, despite limited or overwhelming information, draw and assess recommendations using a perspective that integrates both functional (i.e. business functions) and relevant external information, and deploy them effectively to solve business problems.

Global Awareness
Understand the nature of global issues impacting business, including competition, policies, politics, culture, and customers, and have the ability to manage them effectively.

Ethical Responsibility
Have the ability to make responsible decisions through enhanced sensitivity to various stakeholders, communities, and the environment that are affected by management decisions.

Specific Traits/Objectives for each learning goal are available here