An exploratory study on executive management education through technology mediated distance learning in India

Purpose – Online education is becoming a major mode of learning, especially for working executives. An assessment of this learning mode is important to evaluate the quality of learning and may provide useful directions to effective management of online learning. This paper aims to focus on these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research methodology was adopted to explore such issues as the reasons for undertaking web‐based executive management education programs, the contributors to the learning effectiveness of such a program, and the individual and organizational expectations for undertaking or supporting such a program. Findings – It was found that there are some unique results in the Indian web‐based executive education context, especially on the contributors to learning effectiveness. The most commonly mentioned reasons for undertaking an executive management education program are to gain knowledge/skills and to better handle present or future roles, while the most commonly expected outcome after completion refers to personal development/satisfaction and improved performance in the present job. The most important factors contributing to learning effectiveness relate to pedagogical factors and course design factors. Originality/value – While abundant research exists on web based management education in the Western context, the reasons for undertaking web‐based executive management education programs, the contributors to learning effectiveness of such a program, and the expectations for undertaking such a program are still not well understood in the Indian context. This study provides useful pointers to these questions.