DIFFERENCES IN OPINION BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIA IN RELATION TO RELEVANT ISSUES ON ACADEMIC SERVICE QUALITY: A STUDY ON MANAGEMENT EDUCATION

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of the present study is to explore empirically the disparities in view between industry and academia on the programme quality with a special reference to management education. This research also establishes the key areas of difference by employing scientific testing procedure. Methodology / approach – A sample of 278 respondents, including executives from 15 industries and faculty members from 14 premier management institutes of West Bengal, have been selected by random sample technique. A questionnaire, consisting of 25 items related to the quality of an ideal management programme has been administered. The One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for testing the normality of said 25 observations have been employed. Test infers that observations are non-normal in nature. Thus, any non-parametric test is suitable to examine the hypothesis. Therefore, the Mann-Whitney U test has been carried out to ascertain the differences between two groups of populations. Findings - This paper identifies the gap (differences in opinion) between the industry and academia on the 11 key issues related to the quality of management programme. Practical implications – Industry raises question on academics vis-ą-vis industry readiness of their pass out students. This research highlights the specific issues for which management graduates from B-schools are less employable to the industry. Thus, this research benefits industry and academia both.