Transhemispheric Disparities In The General Knowledge Of Business Majors: By Major Population Segments

Abstract

A 100-question general knowledge test was constructed and administered to 284 senior business administration majors in the USA and South Africa. The test consisted of two major components, Liberal Arts and Business Administration. Within Liberal Arts, five subcomponents were tested: current affairs, history, geography, literature/fine arts and mathematics/science. Similarly, in Business Administration five subcomponents were tested: accounting, economics, finance, management and marketing. Along with demographic information, means of individual test scores were calculated and the data set was further cross-tabulated in order to test for statistical significance. The researchers address a topic that few would tackle in today’s climate of hypersensitivity to suggestions of disparities that may exist among major population segments, even if the differences are in general knowledge, not ability. The study details findings in Liberal Arts and Business Administration and contrasts the results.