International Business and Management Education in Spain

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April 14, 2008

The phrase “faster than ever” is at present in fashion. Indeed, the idea that modify is happening “faster than ever” has become a realism that we all have to face. Rapid advancements in technology and subsequent developments in economic and business models are having a profound effect on governments, corporations and individuals. These processes have served as a catalyst for globalization, creating highly complex and rapidly evolving work environments for managers and leaders. Understanding and managing complex change on a global, regional and even local level is now a key management skill.

Management education (and particularly the MBA) played a central role in defining the emergence of management as a discipline in the 20th century. Moreover, the continuing rise in popularity of the MBA bears a direct relation to the perceived importance of good management. As the 21st century unfurls, however, the paradigms of good management are undergoing a major shift, driven by the needs of a global economy. When you begin to think about the type of MBA program you want to pursue, it is important to keep in mind the wider requirements and realities of the organizations and sectors you will enter after the program. Competing in the global economy requires distinct attributes and awareness.

It is unlikely that you would see a specific module on international business at many European business schools, because most of the schools teach nothing but international business. The teaching methodologies and experience are entirely focused on understanding business and management from a global perspective. This is because the ideologies of the European institutions are shaped by the geographic and economic diversity of Europe. The European Union now encompasses 27 countries, with widely divergent economic and social landscapes. The ease of cross border migration of labour and capital has created a fluid and diverse business environment. This situation greatly influences the focus and models of business schools in Europe.

The European model of management education centres on preparing managers for the global market. A classroom at any of the top European schools will be a highly diverse place. At IE Business school 90% of our International MBA students come from outside Spain, with around 57 nationalities from all five continents represented on the program.

Such diversity is commonplace in all the top schools in Europe. In the context of a global economy, learning from and working with such a diverse group of people is an invaluable experience. It is often said that you learn as much if not more from your fellow students than you do from your professors on an MBA program. A great deal of emphasis is placed on preparing participants to work within diverse, international teams, equipping them to manage complex cross-cultural issues through the daily interaction and challenge of a highly international environment.

Spain enjoys a distinct cultural and economic position in the European arena. The traditional clichés of fiesta and siesta (whilst very appealing and in the case of fiesta very real!) have been supplanted by a high growth economy with a strong focus on modernism and internationalization. Hence, alongside the many world famous cultural and social activities available in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, you will find a exciting international business environment. Major Spanish companies such as Telefonica, Ferro vial and Santander have become global players, acquiring substantial positions outside their traditional markets in Spain and Latin America. In the case of companies like Inditex (the owners of the Zara brand), innovation has been at the heart of their success, redefining the industries they compete in. Spain is an exciting, creative business environment, a charming live case study of innovation, adaption and change.

This state of affairs has appreciably impacted the way we teach running at IE. One of the critical elements of managing change is the need to endorse and manage innovation. We address this through our visibly entrepreneurial approach, which is a key constituent of all our MBA programs. Entrepreneurship is an engine for economic growth, cohort of collective wealth, employment and social-being. IE was originally a start-up venture ‘founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs’ and innovation lies at the core of our philosophy and programs.

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