From the Reporters

The MBA Program -- Den of Iniquity?

 

The Economist has a couple of interesting thoughts on whether the cult of the MBA is somehow to blame for the venom spit out by WorldCom, HealthSouth, Tyco International, Jason Giambi and snakes. Are the "science of economics" MBA teachings somehow inherently unethical or is that a load of (primarily) anti-Harvard hogwash? It seems to me that an MBA in and of itself is amoral, but it doesn't guarantee any type of leadership capabilities.

Certain companies may attract MBA grads and their massive Sherman McCoy sense of entitlement, but it's silly to think an advanced (or unadvanced) degree dictates behavior -- otherwise there would be no such thing as mob lawyers, Hollywood producers or Enron executives. The MBA is only as greedy as its holder, whether they're in the entrepreneurial or corporate universe. The only truth about the MBA is that shelling out $50-100,000 is absolutely worth it...or not.