Company “Doctors”: Do higher academic qualifications make for “better” managers?

Merrette, Edwin James (2004). Company “Doctors”: Do higher academic qualifications make for “better” managers? University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis addresses two main questions. Firstly “Are there significant differences between the level of academic achievement (qualification) of German senior managers and their British counterparts?” Secondly if so, “why should this be so?” These two questions lead to a third, “what impact, if any, do these differences have”? This third question, whilst it is not the focal point of this research, is discussed in outline in so far as it impinges upon our topic, it would however probably be more properly addressed as the subject of a further separate thesis. This thesis, supports the proposition that German senior managers are usually academically better qualified than their British counterparts and in particular that many more, by a factor of between 10 and 50 to one, have Doctorates. It identifies long standing and deep-seated cultural differences as being one of the principal reasons why this should be so. As to the third question the differing levels of productivity in the two countries, particularly in the manufacturing industry, have been the subject of much debate. This thesis supports the argument that lack of qualification both academic and vocational of British managers may contribute to this difference. However, it also indicates that the British less focussed more generalist approach may prove advantageous where the ability to innovate or to be entrepreneurial is concerned, an area where German managers it seems do less well.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):