Why Are MBA (HR) Graduates Valued More Than MSW (PM and IR) Graduates in HR Roles?

Dear Fellow colleagues,

Let's start a discussion on individuals pursuing MSW (PM and IR) and others pursuing MBA (HR). MBA HR professionals seem to have more priorities in all HR-related activities compared to MSW students. Why is this the case? What is the difference? Moreover, both individuals were hired as HR professionals in a company. The MBA candidate is often perceived as more valuable than the MSW candidate. Even though, when comparing MBA students to MSW or social work students, the latter have practical exposure in industries during their studies. Why is there a significant difference in treatment of MSW students? Is an MSW not a valuable course? Is it not recognized? Additionally, the pay scale for MSW graduates is lower compared to that of MBA (HR) students. Why is this so?

Kindly contribute to this discussion with your insights and responses. Thank you.

Dear Varsha,

This is not the case as you think. Companies value the relative experience and the profile of the candidates they have been working with. MBA (HR) or MSW are relatively two different fields of study, but their destination remains the same, i.e., managing laws and employee management. However, MSW is more relevant to labor laws and is preferred over MBA as MBAs are more focused on strategy and productivity but are not well-versed in laws. A candidate with an MSW is more preferred over an MBA as they have a dual advantage of understanding laws.

I have completed my MBA and am now pursuing PM/IR to enhance my CV and increase my knowledge.

Regards,
Ashish
HR & Hospitality

Dear Varsha

First let me appreciate your post asking some fundamentals.

As an engineer turned CEO, let me give some examples to you, which will clear your doubts.

In engineering when we have studied there are only three branches were available namely Mechanical, Civil and Electrical. Branch Electronics came a bit later. Today there are over 30 branches are available , which are developed from one of the main four branches mentioned above.

If you look back the history, it was only after the industrial revolution, the manufacturing sector came into existence and dominated the world. There were not much Service sectors as on today like banking, IT and Health care etc except the Government administration.

In order to comply the mandatory requirements, Personnel Management was created in most the engineering factories by few experienced administrative personnel, and some of them were Law graduates. As an add on qualification, these set of people done PG Diploma courses to equip for their position thorough few Non –affiliated Insitutions,who were running these course. In later years when the concept of MBA came, branches of Personnel have been transformed to HRA with more specialization in handling the human power. However I find some MBA's are also pursuing MSW courses in order to practice Business Law,which is not well covered in their MBA.

Hence the PSW holders are not full fledged HR personnel as in the present. I fully agree with you these qualified personnel can not be equated with the present HBA –HR personnel, as they study a different curriculum. In this digital age, we need compare the role of MBA HR with MSW which is not relevant

In my personal opinion, in the area of handling human relations,you can survive without a degree in HR or even a PG diploma in MSW, but can not survive without a common sense, which is uncommon in handling human beings.

Hope my inputs will clear few things to you.

Regards

AVS

Dear Mr.AVS

First i thank you for your reply

I agree with what you have said. But my question is MSW students have a practical exposure in HR DEPARTMENT while studies than MBA students..But now a days Diploma candidate i mean to say Diploma in HR or PM/IR candidates are more valued than MSW students why so even though
MSW is said to be a Post graduation But these People have struggle in Getting into Prompt field..I mean MSW can work even as back office or front office work..while in the same company people having MBA or Diploma candidate were working in HR Department and also now a days Personnel management is consider as same as Human resource management.Even MSW people can solve the problems Better than MBA's but my topic is why there is partiality in case of MSW students????? IF MSW students were appointed as HR what is the Problem?????? If a Person completed MSW and PG diploma in HRM why they are not accepting for hr position????? why it is not accepted as universal level???? I think am clearly explained my part.

Dear Varsha,

Thank you for your response.

I understand your doubts very well. Let me clarify a few things for you.

Today's HRM is basically an offshoot of the old days Personnel Management. The disparity you have been mentioning depends on the following matters:

- Culture of the organization.
- The level of experience of the HR/Personnel managers.
- The size of the organization.
- The policy of the organization.

High-profile organizations will give higher weightage to the MBA, though they cannot match the experience of the MSW candidates. Multinational firms will not deviate from the rule of considering fair pay for higher qualification candidates. In medium and small-sized firms, some flexibilities are followed for fair pay, even for less qualified people.

I know a good old multinational origin, but an Indian company in the electronic industry will not designate anyone as a Manager unless they hold a degree in engineering. In the case of HR, the company always prefers a PG candidate or MBA for all the support functions.

Your question regarding why there is partiality in the case of MSW students is difficult to answer as the solution varies from case to case. I have observed the same trend even in developed countries, but this kind of difference in qualification levels does not exist much there. Firstly, they do not recognize any qualifications other than the University. At the top-level selection, Harvard, Stanford, etc., are considered, similar to how we have IIT/IIM.

I hope you have gained some clarity now.

Regards,

AVS

Yes, Amrutha Varshini,

Basically, what you are asking can be found in most organizations. MSW candidates are not treated as MBA HR. I can simply say yes.

As per AVS, he clarified almost in depth with subjective stuff, that it depends upon the culture of the company.

In the case of MNCs or big companies, there are eligible criteria for each job. Nowadays, there are numerous wide topics developed in management studies that can help smoothen the administration.

In another way, for example, in the past, there was only one doctor to handle all illnesses, but now you can imagine how many? For each part, a separate doctor can be found. Similarly, in industrial administration, there are more products, professionals, and mentalities, leading to more problems. To handle these problems, we need professional trainers. Sometimes, a very big problem can also be solved with a small solution, which we can call a miracle, but miracles do not always happen.

Just like that, we have to follow the company criteria and recruit personnel.

Another matter is that MSW candidates are drawing less than MBA HR. However, we can't see this issue from only one angle. If you observe the recruitment criteria in NGOs and social service fields, the situation appears reversed. MSW individuals may hold higher positions, with MBAs working under them, including in terms of salary. In the social service field, the most successful outcomes are often achieved by MSW professionals, as the nature of the work supports MSW.

Yes, we should agree that this world is mainly based on a productive basis rather than a service basis. Naturally, the rule will run from the majority.

I can finally say that AVS's clarification is more useful for your topic than my clarification. This is my angle to explain this issue.

Hope you will compare both and come to a conclusion.

All the best.

Khan