The Managerial Experience of Management Professors: Are The Blind Leading the Blind?

Abstract

Managers and students have frequently criticized management professors, accusing them of having little practical experience outside their academic "ivory towers." This research challenges these assertions. The typical management professor has 12 years of managerial experience and 7 years of nonmanagerial experience. However, most of this experience was obtained prior to 1970. This research also investigates other factors pertaining to the managerial experience of management professors.