Exploring the Appeal of PGDM education: Insights into the students’ aspirations and decision making

Abstract

This paper examines the major factors that drive students to take a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) and how the demographics influence these factors. The study cites four main motivational dimensions as a factor in the decision to enrol, they include career promotion, skill development, social and self-oriented motivations, and entrepreneurial desires. A total of 251 people who were already undertaking or intended to take up the PGDM programmes were interviewed using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire.

Descriptive as well as inferential statistical tests were done, such as independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and two-way ANOVA. Results suggest professional experience to be a major determinant of career-oriented and skill-based motivations and age to be more related to social influence and entrepreneurial intent. The younger respondents undertake the programmes of the PGDM in order to develop competencies and tend to be more influenced by peer pressure and social demands whereas the experienced people take the programmes as a career advancement strategy. There is no significant difference of gender in any motivational dimension. The measurement scale was found to have strong internal consistency as reliability analysis showed.