Engineering education and performance: the German machinery and equipment sector.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between management education, the performance of German engineering enterprises and the strategic knowledge status of the executives running those enterprises. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based upon the results of an online/posted self-administered questionnaire conducted within Germany, augmented by micro case studies. Findings - Findings suggest that the curricula in German Engineering Faculties fail to fully embrace business and management studies, in particular strategic management which has virtually no presence. Engineers dominate senior management positions within the German machinery and equipment sector yet they display limited knowledge of strategic management tools. There is also evidence that links performance with the application of management knowledge. Research limitations/implications - The study is limited to senior executives within German SMEs from the machinery and equipment sector. I