PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT
Accelerating the evolution of the MBA
For decades, the MBA has shaped generations of executives, entrepreneurs and policymakers. Yet the world this traditional type of business programme was designed for no longer exists. The net result is that management education cannot stand still and the MBA must evolve, contends POLIMI Graduate School of Management dean Federico Frattini
A rtificial intelligence is redefining how organisations create value. Geopolitical uncertainty is reshaping supply chains and capital flows and sustainability pressures are transforming investor expectations. At the same time, a new generation of professionals is asking deeper questions about purpose, ethics and societal contribution. Today’s MBA candidates are not only seeking career advancement; they are also demanding purpose, ethical grounding and meaningful societal impact as core factors of leadership education and of their careers. Business schools have long taught disruption as a theory, using case studies to analyse industries reshaped by technological change. But the rise of AI has fundamentally altered this dynamic. Leaders are no longer observing disruption from a distance, they are experiencing it in real time. In this environment, even the most rigorous, content-heavy curriculum is no longer sufficient. Finance, marketing and operations remain essential, but knowledge alone does not prepare leaders to navigate constant uncertainty. They need practical thinking frameworks to assess complex situations, adapt quickly and make difficult decisions under pressure.
Why the traditional MBA model needs to evolve Today’s programmes need to combine strong analytical foundations with deeper human development. Leadership education requires more than functional expertise. It must integrate technological fluency, real-world experience and strong self-awareness. The most forward-looking programmes place experiential learning at their core. Live consulting projects, in which students work with organisations on real strategic challenges, expose participants to the complexity of business decision-making. Extended international immersions further develop leaders who can operate effectively in diverse, high-pressure environments. Designed in this way, the MBA becomes a true leadership accelerator, as well as an environment where students test behaviours, refine judgement and learn to lead through uncertainty. Our new-generation MBA at POLIMI Graduate School of Management was recently redesigned to embody these principles. The programme combines seven months of classroom learning with five months of project work, incorporating opportunities for international exchanges and real-world business engagement. The curriculum integrates cutting-edge technologies and global perspectives to prepare leaders for complex, evolving environments.
Ambition • ISSUE 2 • 2026 23
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