Prof. Jim Ellert and Prof. Nenad Filipović
The Executive MBA program, a flagship program of IEDC, has been run since 1991. What is the core philosophy behind this program, what makes it different compared to other EMBA programs offered in the region?
In January of 1991 IEDC launched the first EMBA program in the CEE region. Designed for practicing business executives, this program has several defining characteristics, the blend of which continues to differentiate IEDC from other regional business schools. Since 1991, the EMBA program has been delivered in modular format to allow business executives to organize their studies on a part-time basis while maintaining employment in their companies or organizations. The program curriculum focuses on developing a general management perspective and leadership development rather than the development of specific functional skills with a careful balance between best business practices and rigorous theoretical foundations. IEDC combines a small international faculty of its own with visiting professors from many of the world’s leading management schools to remain relevant locally while keeping abreast of best practices and the latest management thinking worldwide. An interactive approach to teaching and learning facilitates the development of general management competences such as critical thinking and the ability to apply knowledge in practice. Since 1991 the EMBA program has featured high level integrated international consulting projects where program participants work in small groups, with faculty mentoring, on strategic business projects in co-operation with senior business leaders and/or board members of regional and multinational organizations. In 2012 our EMBA program was recognized by the Association of MBAs (AMBA) as one of the four most innovative programs in the world. IEDC, through annual EMBA program reviews, continues its commitment to continuous and relevant innovations in program design and delivery. Our EMBA program is accredited by AMBA, CEEMAN IQA, and nakvis (the Slovenian higher education authority) and graduates from the program receive both an EMBA degree and a Master in Management degree which is Bologna accredited. The IEDC EMBA program includes exchange program opportunities and graduates benefit from an extensive alumni network with alumni clubs in 17 countries. IEDC’s location in Bled, Slovenia offers a beautiful lakeside with mountain views which inspire reflective learning.
What are the key qualities or experiences you look for in prospective EMBA candidates?
The EMBA program is participant-centered in its experiential learning objectives. Consequently, prospective candidates must have meaningful management experience to qualify for admission. Very exceptionally, we admit candidates with minimum work experience of 3 years. Typically, the average years of work experience for admitted candidates is 8-10 years. In assessing a candidate’s eligibility, we consider prior education (minimum bachelors (first cycle) Bologna degree or higher. On personal characteristics, we look for evidence of management and leadership initiatives and outcomes, intellectual curiosity, industry knowledge, energy, persuasiveness, English language proficiency, and other personal qualities that indicate that admitted candidates will benefit from and contribute to our distinctive learning environment.
How does IEDC ensure an international and diverse learning environment for its EMBA participants?
The admissions process typically results in about 65-70% foreign participants. Gender representation is relatively stable at about 35% female and 65% male. Industry representation is broad with service industries (financial services and other services) rising slightly along with retailing in comparison with manufacturing and other industries in recent years. These trends align with recent developments in industry employment composition in our region.
What roles do leadership development, responsible management, and technology advances play in the program’s curriculum?
IEDC reviews its EMBA curriculum of studies on an annual basis and has been agile during the last decade in developing new courses to address digital transformation and AI challenges and opportunities.
Leadership development and responsible management practices have always been high priorities for the EMBA program objectives. As early as the 1990’s, IEDC pioneered in the inclusion of topics such as business ethics, corporate governance, and corporate social responsibility in its EMBA curriculum. The leadership offering facilitates career growth and ensure transformation of leader identity through courses like Personal Mastery, Leading Self, and Arts and leadership along with reflective experiences, peer review assessments and lecturer evaluations. Careful selection of program contents focusing on these important topics is complemented with innovative learning methodology addressing not only the knowledge and skills of the participants, but even more so their attitudes. That has an overall transformative effect.
For many years the Executive MBA program started in February each year. The IEDC has announced that the next intake will start in October 2025. What was the reason for the shift?
The shift to an October start will align the EMBA program calendar with the Bologna degree calendar and facilitate more timely submission of EMBA program changes to meet Bologna degree requirements.
Will the modular structure of the EMBA program change in October 2025?
The EMBA program structure in October 2025 will remain modular but delivered over 8 modules, 7 of which of 2 weeks duration and a final module of close to three weeks. This format will reduce time away for a single module and make it even more convenient to attend for busy executives.
Has there been an increased focus on emerging trends such as AI, digital transformation, or sustainability in the EMBA 2025 curriculum?
As noted before, our regular review and update of program contents secures that the program addresses most pressing current management and leadership issues in business. Along the three topics mentioned in your question, we will pay attention to others defining today’s business environment, including influence of global political shifts, behavioral changes and other consequences of demographic trends, as well as the challenges related to strategic growth and resilience.
How has the pricing of the program evolved, and what additional value does the EMBA 2025 offer for its tuition fees?
Believe it or not, over the last 20 years the program fee has increased by only 11%. The cumulative inflation in that period was around 65% in USA and around 85% in EU. We manage to keep excellent relationship between top quality and competitive price.
What elements and takeaways of the program do your graduates appreciate the most?
Surveys with EMBA graduates confirm significant career progress after graduation. Leadership development and critical thinking associated with abilities to analyze, synthetize and anticipate solutions and consequences were most cited as takeaways by our graduates in the last EMBA alumni survey (2024).
Many other schools decided to offer either in part or fully online MBA programs. Why does IEDC keep the onsite format nevertheless?
Recent discussions with our EMBA participants and alumni indicate strong preference for the onsite format. They contend that on-line formats are commodities that cannot provide the depth, intimacy, and personal feedback associated with on-site learning with experienced participant colleagues and faculty presence and commitment to provide personalized guidance.