Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/57462
PThe B h.D. Imperative in Latin America by Scott Tiffin and Martin Kunc razil produces one Ph.D. for every 70,000 inhabitants. In Chile, the ratio is one to every 140,000, and in Colombia, it's one for every 700,000. Compared to worldwide figures, these numbers are troubling. Among members of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development, the average is one Ph.D. for every 5,000 inhabitants. Four key factors have hin- dered the creation of doctor- ate programs in Latin Ameri- ca: inadequate funding, weak management systems, small scale business programs, and the high level of competition in business programs. Yet we believe a significant number of the region's schools can create good-quality doctorates. Moreover, we believe that, because of the shortage of qualified business pro- fessors worldwide and the need for regional solutions to regional business issues and opportunities, it is imperative for business schools in Latin America to expand and upgrade their doctoral business education. But it will take commitment from govern- ments, regulatory institutions, and schools themselves to create a strong, vibrant Ph.D. culture in the region. To explore ways to achieve this goal, we conducted a survey of Latin American business schools, funded in part by AACSB Inter- national and CLADEA, the Latin American Council of Manage- ment Schools. Very little reliable information is available on Web 46 BizEd JULY/AUGUST 2008 Ph.D. programs in Latin America are rare and small. It's time for business schools in the region to improve and upgrade their production of business doctorates.