Outcomes Assessment and Quality Enhancement through AACSB Business Accreditation: The Case of the University of Bahrain

Assessment of students learning is a critical component of the accreditation process of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). There is also a general agreement that the most tangible benefits from AACSB accreditation result from the changes in the internal operations to bring the higher education institutions into compliance with its standards. While AACSB is the most sought after Business accreditation in the Arab region, there is very little written about AACSB accreditation and the challenges facing business colleges in meeting the standards related to outcomes assessment in this region. This paper aims to address this gap in the literature by discussing the case of the College of Business of the University of Bahrain. It considers some of the concerns raised in the existing literature and offers suggestions for other institutions involved in the accreditation process. It also examines the link found between outcomes assessment and quality in higher education as well as the challenges and opportunities of AACSB accreditation for the College of Business of the University of Bahrain.