Is business management a profession?

Business management is not a profession, according to Rakesh Khurana, a professor at Harvard Business School. He argues that management is not governed by a strict code or an oath, like law and medicine. Other Harvard professors argue that management does not posses the key traits of a traditional profession.

Richard Barker of the Financial Times points out that an MBA is not a requirement for entering into management. Therefore, a professional body cannot regulate the profession. A manager is a jack of all trades, unlike other professionals, who possess specific knowledge. Such professionals are regulated by professional associations that can bar them from practicing due to misconduct.