The world-famous Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree had surprisingly humble origins in its birthplace, the US. Arising in the early 20th century at a time when industrialization was maturing and huge corporations were forming from the smaller family businesses that were then the norm, these courses were an attempt to address a new problem – namely, the growing need to apply rational, scientific principles to the management of extraordinarily complex, large commercial organizations.

In those early days, they took the form of little more than a small number of accounting and bookkeeping courses. Fast-forward to the 21st century, and it has grown into one of the most intricate and highly valued advanced degrees among budding entrepreneurs, business managers, and enterprising people seeking credentials that can facilitate higher salaries and abundant career opportunities in the business world.…