Title: Is excellence an elusive dream for East African business schools?

Authors: Simmy M. Marwa, Kay Hooi Keoy, S.C. Lenny Koh

Addresses: HBMe-University, P.O. Box 71400, Dubai, UAE. ' Business Support International Services Limited, C-01-13A Blok C, NeoCyber Lingkaran CyberPoint, Cyberjaya Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. ' Management School, The University of Sheffield, 9 Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 4DT, UK

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent East Africa Community (EAC) business schools| are inching closer to a world class business school status. The paper is informed by a review of literature on world class universities/business schools (WCU/WCBS). Attributes of excellence of WCU/WCBS are identified and used as a yardstick to gauge EAC business schools| performance. An exploratory web analysis of EAC business schools is then undertaken to establish gaps between these schools and WCBS. Opportunities for improvement are identified and recommendations made to embed a culture of excellence that catapults the schools towards excellence. Nonetheless, impediments requiring immediate attention still stand in the way of EAC business schools| path to excellence, particularly skill shortages and poor research track record. Embracing the suggested improvements, thus offers the schools| real opportunities to focus their quality initiatives towards excellence.

Keywords: world class status; East Africa Community; EAC; universities; business schools; higher education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENM.2009.029005

International Journal of Enterprise Network Management, 2009 Vol.3 No.2, pp.93 - 111

Published online: 21 Oct 2009 *

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