The South African MBA Review and the Principles of Efficient Regulation

The South African Council on Higher Education (CHE) has developed a model to regulate the provision of postgraduate qualifications. This model was applied in the first instance to the MBA. Accreditation was withdrawn from 15 MBAs, 15 were granted conditional accreditation, and seven were fully accredited. This paper takes forward an earlier evaluation and argues that the CHE did not observe the internationally recognized principles and processes of efficient regulation. Its regulation of MBAs is a paradigm case of failure in public policy construction and implementation. The consequences may extend beyond those immediately affected by the CHE's decisions to impact adversely on South Africa's regulatory reputation.