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New study on executive education emphasises the need to embrace digital technology
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A study by the FNEGE (National Foundation for Business Management Education), co-published by IAE Paris Sorbonne and SKEMA Business School on September 4, 2023, has revealed that business schools in France are largely rooted in their traditional degree-granting models. Although these institutions have made strides in delivering continuing education content via digital platforms, the study suggests that aligning with the changing needs of businesses and learners remains a challenge.
Three strategies distinguished
The study identifies three groups of business schools based on their relationship to continuing education and digital technology:
1. Those focused on "degree-based in-person learning," such as IAE Paris Sorbonne Business School.
2. Those leading in "non-degree continuing education and digital technology," with SKEMA Business School as an example.
3. Those on the defensive, seeking to evolve their business model.
Areas for Improvement
The companies interviewed in the study often point out the challenges of collaborating with business schools, describing them as "too slow to react" and "often too expensive". They also highlight the schools' inability to offer content tailored to their specific needs.
Recommendations of the study
The study puts forth three avenues for improvement:
1. Development of certification-based training.
2. Capitalising on institutional expertise for upskilling and reskilling.
3. Greater collaboration with digital sector companies and EdTechs.
Towards a paradigm shift
The study emphasizes that if business schools wish to remain competitive, they need to embrace digital technology not as a constraint but as an opportunity to better meet the needs of businesses and learners.
The world is changing, and it is imperative for these institutions to change with it. For Pascale Viala, the director of SKEMA's Corporate Office and co-author of the study, the message is clear: "Our collective ambition is to feed the discussions on the evolution of executive education in management in the digital era. The world of executive education is in full upheaval, and the purpose of this study is to report on the profound changes brought about by digital transformation."
