Resumo

Executive education in Brazil, particularly MBA programs, plays a crucial role in developing business leaders. Unlike research-focused master’s degrees, Brazilian MBAs are practical and professionally oriented, recognized as lato sensu specialization courses. The shift to hybrid and online formats, accelerated by COVID-19, offers flexibility but presents quality challenges. This study analyzes the top 19 MBA programs in Brazil, aiming to compare offerings, identify strengths and weaknesses, and suggest future growth paths.

This study explores the current scenario of MBA programs in Brazil, focusing on the research question: “What is the current scenario for MBA programs in Brazil?” The objectives are to compare and contrast key MBA offerings, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and suggest pathways for future growth. By analyzing the top 19 MBA programs in Brazil, the study aims to fill a gap in the literature and provide insights for developing more effective and responsive MBA programs tailored to the needs of Brazilian businesses.

The literature review traces the evolution of executive education, highlighting its journey from practical, less rigorous programs to more standardized and scientific approaches. It identifies a gap between essential managerial competencies and MBA curricula, emphasizing the need for practical skills like decision-making and innovation. Studies show Brazilian MBA programs often diverge from international standards due to local economic and cultural factors. The review underscores the importance of aligning MBA programs with market demands and integrating flexible learning formats.

This study uses a mixed-methods approach to analyze the top 19 MBA programs in Brazil, selected based on their rankings by Forbes Magazine Brazil. The methodology includes a manual review of curricula from official sources, a comprehensive literature review on executive competencies, and a survey of specialists. The curricula were compared to identify common courses and themes, and data analysis focused on course frequency, core versus elective content, and alignment with industry needs. The study aims to provide a detailed comparative analysis of MBA offerings.

The results reveal significant variability in Brazilian MBA programs, with common courses such as Strategic Management, Marketing, Financial Management, and Leadership. While 84% of programs are offered in-person, 37% have hybrid or online formats. Key courses align with essential competencies in business economics, corporate strategy, finance, and leadership. The analysis highlights a core curriculum but also identifies specialized tracks catering to specific industry needs. This variability indicates both strengths in customization and challenges in standardizing competencies.

The study concludes that MBA programs in Brazil need to evolve to meet changing market demands and student needs. While traditional in-person formats dominate, the rise of hybrid and online learning offers flexibility but requires robust implementation. Core courses align with essential competencies, but variability in curricula presents challenges. Standardizing core components while allowing customization is crucial. Future research should focus on tracking MBA graduates’ career outcomes and comparing global trends to enhance the effectiveness of Brazilian MBA programs.

The bibliography includes key works on executive education, MBA curriculum design, and managerial competencies. Notable references are Almeida’s strategies for professional development, Rubin and Dierdorff’s alignment of MBA curricula with industry needs, and Engwall’s historical analysis of business studies. It also includes studies on Brazilian MBA programs by Amatucci and Armoni, Ryngelblum, and Bazanini. The references provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding the evolution, current trends, and future directions of MBA programs in Brazil.