​Beyond the Case Study

​The Value of the MBA in 2026

​For nearly a century, the MBA has been the "Gold Standard" for business leadership, built largely on the foundation of the historical Case Study method.

​In 2026, the landscape has shifted. AI now handles the technical modeling once reserved for graduates, and the cost of top-tier programs can exceed €150'000. Gobal demand is "polarizing"—while elite schools are seeing record applications, many mid-tier programs are being forced to reinvent themselves.  There are many areas for discussion but here are three teasers:

​Systems Pivot: Schools are moving away from "finding the right answer" toward Systems Thinking. The goal is training leaders to navigate the interplay between global supply chains, ESG mandates, and hybrid human-machine decision systems.

​RoI Reality: The majority of the value of an MBA to a graduate can be in its signaling power.  Most of the rest is found in the network and judgment training, rather than raw classroom content.

​Alternatives: Professional qualifications in Procurement, HR and Finance, for example, are less expensive and more likely to be supported by an employer.

​This is a SWISSUES 'Forvm' event: Open to all; no formal presentations: no recording; say what you like; one hour.