Readiness for Agile: An Empirical study of MBA students as Future Managers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66635/vpqny450Keywords:
Agile Readiness, MBA Students, Management Education, Leadership Competencies, VUCA, Agile MindsetAbstract
In the contemporary global economy, characterized by high levels of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, organizational agility has transitioned from a specialized software development methodology to a core managerial requirement. This research paper, titled "Readiness for Agile: An Empirical study of MBA students as Future Managers," investigates the degree to which current Master of Business Administration students are prepared to lead in agile environments. Utilizing an empirical approach, the study evaluates students' awareness of agile principles, their possession of agile competencies—such as responsiveness, collaborative exchange, and empowered self-guidance—and their perceived readiness to implement agile frameworks like Scrum and Kanban in non-IT management roles. Preliminary findings suggest that while students recognize the strategic importance of agility, there remains a significant gap between theoretical knowledge and the behavioural mindset required for effective agile leadership. The study concludes that higher education institutions must shift from content-driven syllabuses to process-focused, experiential learning models to bridge the "readiness gap" and produce managers capable of navigating rapid organizational change.
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