An Investigation Into Factors Influencing Student Decision To Pursue Graduate Business Education

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to investigate motives influencing student decision to pursue graduate business education at Namibian business schools. In particular, it intended to determine how financial costs influence student’s decisions to opt for graduate business education; to define to what extent opportunity for career advancement is a reason that affect students to choose attend graduate business education and lastly, establish to what level is student’s choice of graduate business education influenced by institutional infrastructure. The study used a quantitative approach. Questionnaires were administered to 86 Master of Business Administration (MBA) students enrolled at Namibia Business School (NBS) and Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business (HP-GSB) in the 2014 academic year. Participants were approached to partake in the survey at the end of class sessions. Questionnaires were collected immediately after completion. The study made use of frequency tables, charts and central tendency statistics such as mode, mean and median obtained from the analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results show that overall, 62% of the students consider opportunity for career advancement as the most important reason to pursue graduate business education. Although financial costs proved to be a vital influential factor by 21%, it was established to be secondary, with institutional infrastructures ascertaining to be the least important motivator. The study also revealed that location and family commitment are reasons for pursuing postgraduate education locally. The study conclusion recommends Business Schools pay attention to career advancing aspects, accommodative payment options and conducive classroom facilities.