Purpose This paper aims to represent a pioneering multistakeholder exploratory assessment of the challenges and changes needed for management education contextualization in the Arabian Gulf region, focusing on Oman. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on 12 in-depth interviews conducted with three key stakeholder groups: deans of business schools (i.e. departments, institutions or colleges offering BBA and MBA programs), chief executive officers and top managers from various organizations and relevant policymakers. Findings The findings reveal two main challenges in contextualizing management education: balancing local relevance with the requirements of global management education standards, such as accreditation, and limitations associated with faculty members. Despite these challenges, respondents strongly agreed on the importance of aligning management education with local market needs and highlighted the positive impacts of industry engagement and practical student experiences. Originality/value This study contributes original insights by analyzing management education contextualization in Oman and the broader Arabian Gulf region. It is a pioneering work in this setting, which highlights both the challenges and changes needed to balance global standards and local relevance, in the journey toward management education contextualization.
Hussain et al. (Thu,) studied this question.