Do Business Schools Change Students ’ Values Along Desirable Lines? A Longitudinal Study

Abstract. The impact of a two-year residential fulltime MBA program on students ’ value systems was studied using a longitudinal design and data collected over five years. Value systems were measured when students entered the program, and again as soon as they graduated. Sample consisted of 229 students from three consecutive graduating classes of a business school in India. Results of matched sample t-tests show that self-oriented values like a comfortable life and pleasure become more important and others-oriented values like being helpful and polite become less important over two years. The moderating role of sex and functional specialization are also analyzed. The Indian Weltanschauung’s yardstick of oneness is used to discuss whether the changes in value systems are along desirable lines. Management education is traditionally seen as a means to facilitate learning of job-related behaviors in order to improve performance. The focus has been on teaching facts, modifying attitudes and behaviors, and developing skills. Attention has been devoted to analyzing whether knowledge that is imparted in business schools should focus more o