Using kaizen to improve graduate business school degree programs

Purpose To illustrate the applicability of kaizen in higher education. Design/methodology/approach Kaizen process was used for ten courses contained in a part‐time executive MS degree program in management. Findings Kaizen was found to be an effective process for improving graduate business school courses and the value proposition for students. Research limitations/implications Further opportunity to quantitatively correlate kaizen results with student satisfaction. Practical implications Kaizen can help higher education institutions compete more effectively against both traditional non‐profit and newer for‐profit sources of higher education. Originality/value Presents insights, lessons learned, and critical reflections from the first known application of kaizen in higher education for this purpose.