WHERE IS AN MBA AT STRUTLEDGE? Strutledge is a small private liberal arts school located 50 miles from a major urban area in the southeastern United States. As with most higher education institutions, Strutledge's costs are rising and its enrollment is declining. In an effort to expand its student base, create valuable ties with area businesses, and simply survive, the Board of Regents is considering establishing an MBA program. No undergraduate business administration degree is currently taught, although business administration courses are taught. The school's dean envisions the MBA as an interdisciplinary program that emphasizes problem solving, communication, and global awareness. Faculty expertise would be complemented by local industry instructors. The use of local faculty would better connect the university with the business community and provide employment opportunities for graduates of the program. In terms of competition, a major state-funded university offering an MBA is located in the adjacent urban area. Strutledge hopes state budget cuts and perceptions of overcrowded classrooms and overworked teachers at public institutions will open the door to a new entrant into the market. The Board of Regents also believes that the school's small size will allow Strutledge to tailor the MBA program more closely to the business needs of the area. Several Board members are concerned about recent reports about the declining value of an MBA and wonder if a better niche could be found with another graduate degree, perhaps a master's of science in business analytics or something in the field. of education or health.

1. What action would you recommend to the Board of Regents?

2. How should Strutledge make a strategic decision like this?

Develop a decision support document/information that includes the following: 
• Recommend action to the Board of Regents. 
• Propose a course of action plan that includes quantitative analysis methodologies to assist the Board of Regents in making this decision. 
• Justify all your recommendations.