MBA job increases in general industry driven by emerging markets

Continuing a trend that has been apparent for almost 15 years, new research shows MBA job growth in the general industry sector continues to be driven by the so-called emerging markets in Asia.

Consisting of industries such as consumer goods, energy, manufacturing, media/entertainment, construction, travel/hospitality, mining, retail, and logistics, the general industry sector is widely encompassing.

However, according to the annual QS TopMBA.com Jobs and Salary Trends Report, growth in demand for MBAs in the sector is strongest by far in the Asia-Pacific region, with a reported 31% increase over the past year.

“Growth in demand for MBAs in general Industry is not surprisingly greatest in Asia, but growth is being seen around the world,” explains Nunzio Quacquarelli, managing director of QS Quacquarelli Symonds and author of the report.

As Quacquarelli points out, due to the widely encompassing nature of the general industry sector, growth in demand is strong in other regions too.

For instance, the report highlights many consumer goods focussed organizations driving MBA hiring increases in North America, and to a lesser extent in Europe and Asia. Exporting, spurred on in part by increased productivity over the years in Asia, has also increased employer demand gradually, even if it does tend to fluctuate according to economic changes.

“The increasing globalization of international trade, growing interdependence of common markets, and increased international competition, have all fuelled interest in MBAs across the general industry sector, but also made it vulnerable to a global recession,” points out Quacquarelli.

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