The authors develop and provide arguments and some supporting empirical data for a learned-behavior approach in competency-based MBA education. The learnedbehavior approach emphasizes micro skills and inductive learning of behavior. Here, students learning various skills focus on very specific micro-skill components, largely on an inductive basis; the conceptualization underlying the micro skills is introduced later as needed to help in providing cognitive understanding of the previously performed micro skills. In performing the skills, the micro-skill components are combined in various ways across the skills and are useful in helping to integrate the skill set. The authors conclude by considering assessment of the approach and its integrative role in a revised MBA at their institution. They also examine the approach’s contribution to innovation in competency-based management education.
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