Profiles and academic performance of first year MBA students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine profiles and academic performance of first year MBA
students enrolled at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2014. The study applied descriptive
statistics to unpack the details of profiles and academic performance of the population of MBA
students. The study used ANOVA and MANOVA to test for significant differences in mean
scores and to examine the relationships between students’ academic performance and their
profiles categorised as undergraduate degrees, occupational clusters and MBA programme
modes.
One of the main findings of the research was that the black ethnic group accounted for 69% of
the MBA class and that males dominated at 64%. The ANOVA results showed variations in the
mean marks of three modules: Financial Accounting, Business Management and Marketing
Management. This indicates that the type of undergraduate degree significantly affected
students’ academic performance. Differences in mean marks were used to examine if a
relationship existed between a student’s occupational cluster and his/her academic performance.
One way ANOVA results showed variations in Financial Accounting mean marks indicating that
students’ occupations significantly affected academic performance in the Financial Accounting
module. The study examined if there were statistically significant relationships between students’
academic performance and MBA programme modes of delivery. The purpose was to establish if
there is a relationship between student’s academic performance and the MBA programme modes
of delivery. Differences in mean marks were used to examine if there was a relationship. The
MANOVA tests, however, showed no significant difference in mean marks between MBA
programme modes. The study recommended academic tutorials, utilisation of University
resources, and structuring of MBA academic groups to include at least one member from each
occupation and undergraduate degree type.
Description
MBA University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2014.
Keywords
Universities and colleges--Examinations., College students--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal--Conduct of life., Study skills--Study and teaching (Higher)--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal., College student orientation--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal., Academic achievement--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal., Theses--Business administration.