Measuring the impact and effectiveness of mid-career education program: An exploratory study in the Indian context

Abstract

Purpose:- This study focuses on understanding the impact of mid-career education. Research on the program effectiveness of mid-career education in general and specifically in the Indian context, has received limited attention. While mid-career education has been a significant offering from the b-schools in India, measuring its impact on such professionals' careers has been few. This research set out to measure the extent to which one such mid-career education program of a premier b-school in India met its participants' expectations. It aims to ascertain why mid-career professionals enroll for part-time management education and its impact on their career after the program Within the context of changing work and the workplace, the study also aims to provide insights for program improvements to meet emerging workplace expectations. Design/methodology/approach:- An exploratory research approach using the survey method was adopted given dearth of established studies. The absence of a standardized tool to measure such programs' effectiveness led to the design of a structured self-report questionnaire drawing from program objectives and extant literature. The researchers sought survey responses from the alumni of the program from the past eighteen years. Two hundred seventy-three completed responses were statistically analyzed using SPSS. Relationships and effectiveness indicators of such programs and features for program enhancement were identified. The findings were further strengthened with inputs from two focus group discussions with select alumnus from across different batches. Findings:- The results indicate a strong relationship between program expectations and perceived objective career outcomes. Mid-career education has empowered the careers of mid-career professionals in numerous ways. It has enhanced participants' knowledge, increased their perceived brand value, and rewarded them with increased job opportunities, yielding significant financial gains. While it provides value for money, the study also reveals that it takes more than just a mid-career education program to rise to leadership positions and experience subjective career satisfaction. The study offers a model for enhancing mid-career education effectiveness. Research limitations/implications:- The research methodology necessitated time commitments from the participants limiting the number of respondents who completed the questionnaire. The methodology could be strengthened further through confirmatory quantitative research to strengthen tool development. It could benefit from exploring methods for capturing actual career outcomes rather than just self-report. The study provides avenues for a more comprehensive study across similar programs among b-schools to ascertain the overall impact of mid-career education on mid-career professionals' careers in general; more so, in the emerging work context. Practical implications:- Mid-career education has been a much-preferred strategy for mid-career professionals to future-proof their careers. The study holds significant implications for the future of midcareer education in the Indian context. It identifies significant advantages and critical gap-areas and provides additional insights into mid-career program redesign. A hybrid model is proposed to meet the emerging needs of a rapidly transforming work world. Originality/value:- Mid-career education intention and impact on mid-career professionals' lives have limited research in the Indian context. This study captures intention for professionals to invest in such programs, obtain insights into its perceived benefits and impact on their career post-program, and provides inputs for program enhancement given a transforming workplace. The study provides an instrument to measure participant expectations and report career-impacting benefits derived from the program. Most importantly, it provides insights for redesigning mid-career education and similar certification programs for working professionals. It does so by collating information from those at the workplace and the front line of a transforming work-workplace context.