03/07/2020

For the seventh time in a row, Danube University Krems leads undisputedly the ranking of the Austrian Executive MBA programs (EMBA) published by the Austrian Industrie Magazin. 151 personnel managers from Austrian companies were interviewed for the study. In the decision process for choosing an EMBA program, not only financial reasons but also personal growth played an important role.

The Danube Business School, part of the Department for Management and Economics at Danube University Krems holds the top position in the ranking among executive MBA providers achieving highest scores for recommendations and name recognition. Second place went to the Montan University Leoben, and the WU Executive Academy took third place.

Around a third of those surveyed, 32.0 per cent, would recommend Danube Business School to others. MCI Management Center Innsbruck achieved the second-highest figure of 24.0 per cent. Danube University Krems again scored the highest level of recognition with 90.7 per cent. The Montan University Leoben followed with 83.4 per cent, the WU Executive Academy reached 80.8 per cent.

Apart from asking for name recognition and recommendation, the study also looked at other factors such as motivation for an EMBA. About one third of those surveyed expect a salary increase of 10 to 25 per cent within three years. In addition, the respondents agreed that an EMBA offers the opportunity to break through the potential glass ceiling. For more than half of the people interviewed, the EMBA represents an opportunity to develop their personal network.

Specialization and personal growth

The "Executive MBA" program at Danube University Krems is designed for managers with professional and leadership experience who want to expand cutting-edge economic expertise and their role as a leader as well as deal intensively with current relevant topics. "The complexity of a changing economic environment requires new management and leadership qualifications", course leader Doris Burger from the Center for Business Specializations points to the need for continuing education. The foreign programs of the EMBA course take the participants to Silicon Valley in the United States and optionally to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Fudan University in Shanghai or AESE Business School in Lisbon. The EMBA program is twice accredited internationally (FIBAA and ACBSP).

About the study

By order of the Industrie Magazin, an Austrian Magazine published monthly with focus on the producing economy, opinion research institute IMAD surveyed 151 managing directors and personnel managers working for Austrian companies in March 2020. Name recognition was the decisive factor for the ranking. Moreover, it was also asked whether a survey participant would recommend a certain provider to others. The survey population consists of the top 100 companies per federal state, with further random sampling.

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