Title: Assessing the quality of undergraduate business education in Bangladesh using higher-order thinking skills

Authors: Mohammad Kamal Hossain

Addresses: Department of Accounting and Information Systems, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh

Abstract: Undergraduate business education in Bangladesh faces criticism for its limited emphasis on Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS), such as problem-solving, analytical reasoning and creativity. This study assesses the quality of undergraduate business education in Bangladeshi universities by analysing the integration of HOTS into examination question papers using Bloom's Taxonomy. A content analysis of 309 examination papers from the 2023 academic year, sampled from 10 public and private Bangladeshi universities, reveals a stark imbalance: approximately 88% of marks are allocated to Lower-Order Thinking Skills (LOTS), while only 12% are allocated to HOTS. This disparity undermines students' preparedness for the 21st-century business environment, where innovative and strategic thinking skills are essential. The study recommends curriculum reforms to integrate HOTS into learning objectives, promote project-based learning and align teaching with industry needs, ensuring graduates can tackle real-world challenges and enhance Bangladesh's global competitiveness in the era of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution.

Keywords: assessment; quality gap; undergraduate business education; higher-order thinking skills; Bangladesh.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2026.151702

International Journal of Management in Education, 2026 Vol.20 No.2, pp.153 - 175

Received: 12 Dec 2024
Accepted: 18 Mar 2025
Published online: 16 Feb 2026 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article