"The further removed you are from working with your hands, the higher value you're perceived to have."
It's that, but it's also (perceived) pedigree. A lot of "business analysts" come from big consultancies like McKinsey, or investment banks like Goldman, et al. Managers and MBA-types have a mystical perception of those firms -- almost as if they trained jedi business knights. The truth may be far from it, at least in my experience. But perception usually trumps truth.
It's that, but it's also (perceived) pedigree. A lot of "business analysts" come from big consultancies like McKinsey, or investment banks like Goldman, et al. Managers and MBA-types have a mystical perception of those firms -- almost as if they trained jedi business knights. The truth may be far from it, at least in my experience. But perception usually trumps truth.