Business Commons^™

Engaging Industry: Embedding Professional Learning In The Business Curriculum: Final Report 2011, Theo Theo Papadopoulos, Tracy Taylor, Eveline Fallshaw, Michael Zanko

Faculty of Business - Papers (Archive)

Professional learning has become a feature of business curricula in universities throughout Australia and around the world. 'Professional learning' is often used to denote educational programs that are explicitly linked to industry and professional bodies through industry placements, industry projects and teaching approaches that highlight contemporary industry issues. Professional learning encompasses the skills, qualities and attributes that are required by a profession and the processes through which those skills are learnt: that is, the methods of teaching - case studies, role plays, field trips, work placement and the like. Professional learning encourages deep learning in relation to the student's future …

Clean Energy As A Platform For Interdisciplinary Collaborations Within A Technology-Driven Institution, Douglas J. Schauer, Isaac Slaven, Glen Robinson

Isaac Slaven

Using biodiesel production as the centerpiece, the efforts of multiple academic programs were combined to achieve a common objective, thus illustrating the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. These programs include Chemical Technology, Sustainable Energy, Automotive Technology, HVAC, Biotechnology, and Agricultural Technology. By participating in the implementation of a closed-loop biodiesel supply chain, students learned the significance of communication and the interdependence of the myriad programs.

Clean Energy As A Platform For Interdisciplinary Collaborations Within A Technology-Driven Institution, Douglas Schauer, Isaac Slaven, Glen Robinson

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Using biodiesel production as the centerpiece, the efforts of multiple academic programs were combined to achieve a common objective, thus illustrating the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. These programs include Chemical Technology, Sustainable Energy, Automotive Technology, HVAC, Biotechnology, and Agricultural Technology. By participating in the implementation of a closed-loop biodiesel supply chain, students learned the significance of communication and the interdependence of the myriad programs.

Clean Energy As A Platform For Interdisciplinary Collaborations Within A Technology-Driven Institution, Douglas J. Schauer, Isaac Slaven, Glen Robinson

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Using biodiesel production as the centerpiece, the efforts of multiple academic programs were combined to achieve a common objective, thus illustrating the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. These programs include Chemical Technology, Sustainable Energy, Automotive Technology, HVAC, Biotechnology, and Agricultural Technology. By participating in the implementation of a closed-loop biodiesel supply chain, students learned the significance of communication and the interdependence of the myriad programs.

The Value Of The Integrated Business Core Experience: Perceptions Of Recent Graduates From Brigham Young University-Idaho, Craig D. Bell

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The effectiveness of business education has come under intense scrutiny—with many questioning its overall value. Main criticisms center on the lack of integration across the curriculum, too much emphasis on quantitative analysis, and the absence of relevant application. Most critics call for business education to become more hands-on and to create opportunities for students to practice the discipline of management. The purpose of this mixed method explanatory study was to explore the perceived influence of the Integrated Business Core (IBC) experience at Brigham Young University – Idaho on career success. The study sought to capture the perceptions of recent graduates …

A Study Of Outcomes-Oriented Student Reflection During Internship: The Integrated, Coordinated, And Reflection Based Model Of Learning And Experiential Education, James E. Griffin Jr, Gregory F. Lorenz, David Mitchell

University Office Publications

Student reflection in experiential education is recognized as a valuable tool in learning and development (Moon, 2006). InCoRe, an acronym for integration, coordination and reflection, is a model for reflective teaching and learning intended to encourage student reflection prior to, during, and after an internship experience. InCoRe operates through the strategic integration of experiential education within a program of study, the coordination of student advising between faculty and the administrators and staff members who manage and support experiential education and student-based reflection oriented toward fulfillment of student learning outcomes. The model employs several theoretical constructs including a derivative of Bruner’s …

Students’ Perceptions Of Effectiveness Of Hospitality Curricula And Their Preparedness, Imran Rahman

Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014

Curriculum assessment has been an important tool in measuring the effectiveness of the curriculum to evaluate student learning and preparedness. This study develops a conceptual framework, based on course offerings and descriptions of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, to evaluate how the curriculum contributes to students’ preparedness for their future career. Using an online field survey, this study examines the skills that contribute to students’ preparedness. Besides putting forward the strengths and weaknesses of the program, and identifying the significant skill areas that contribute significantly to students’ preparedness, findings of this study indicate …

Meeting The Needs Of Global Companies Through Improved International Business Curriculum, Kathy L. Milhauser, Tim Rahschulte

Faculty Publications - College of Business

The global workplace requires specific knowledge, skills, and abilities on the part of workers. There is a growing body of research indicating a gap between the global industry demand for skills and the higher education system’s ability to supply that demand. Leveraging the work from Yu, Guan, Yang, and Chiao (2005) and Prestwich and Ho-Kim (2007), this study investigated this gap. The sample included global leaders of Fortune 500 companies. Exploratory in nature, the primary purpose of this study was to understand the needs of global business organizations that form the hiring market for international business graduates. The findings highlight …

Maximizing Hospitality Learning Outcomes: An Integrated Experiential In-Class Approach, Robert J. Harrington, Godwin-Charles A. Ogbeide, Michael C. Ottenbacher

Hospitality Review

This study explored the influence of an experiential, in-class approach to the hospitality curriculum as a means of increasing its efficiency and effectiveness. Specifically, the study provides an example of how hospitality faculty might utilize an experiential, in-class approach to integrate additional hospitality-specific content along with process and content issues for working in teams and team decision-making. The results of this study support the efficient and effective use of an experiential inclass teaching method. The value of this study is twofold: (1) it provides an initial test of this approach’s usefulness and (2) it provides a forum for continued conversations …

Effective Storytelling In Business School Ethics Curriculum, Ginger Grant, William R. Holmes

Publications and Scholarship

Narrative, or storytelling, is a tool increasingly used by business to effectively portray complex business issues in a manner which is engaging, comprehensive and easily comprehended. Instructors in a business school setting can also make use of narrative as a tool to engage their students in the complexities of business. The use of narrative places theoretical concepts in the context of actual (or hypothetical) business situations in a way that emphasizes the importance and the difficulties inherent in effective business decision-making. Where business decisions involve ethical issues, narrative is particularly effective because it illustrates the personal and emotional implications these …

Embedding Professionally Relevant Learning In The Business Curriculum Through Industry Engagement, Michael Zanko, Theo Papadopoulos, Eveline Fallshaw, Tracy Taylor, Clare Woodley, Christine Armatas

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

This paper reports on preliminary findings from an ALTC funded project on how to build curriculathat meet the needs of business students and employers of business graduates. The project grew outof an Australian Business Deans Council Teaching and Learning Network scoping study whichidentified widespread concern among industry, academic and professional associations about the lackof engagement with real world problems by business graduates. In the paper we discuss the need forindustry engagement, define professionally relevant learning, and outline the study objectives andmethodology. We present a typology of industry engagement in the curriculum that emerged from ourfieldwork, and tools that business faculties …

Computational Thinking (Ct): On Weaving It In, Paul Curzon, Joan Peckham, Harriet G. Taylor, Amber Settle, Eric Roberts

Amber Settle

A Practical Information Technology Program, Bijan Mashaw

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

This paper discusses the challenges facing business in the 21 st century and the dramatic changes in the use of computers and application development process. These challenges, as well as the increase of global economy, coupled with the demand for the business technology workers indicate the need for redesigning the Information System Curriculum. The proposed framework for an Information Technology (IT) Program in this paper offers a pragmatic curriculum model to accommodate the needs and challenges of the 21st century. The framework provides a fundamental IT education for the graduates of such a curriculum, as well as allowing an area …

Constructing An Innovative Model Of Entrepreneurship Education Through Regional Collaboration, Todd A. Finkle, Jack Soper, Dan Fox, Jack Reece, Julie Messing

Todd A Finkle

Implementing Assessment In An Outcome-Based Marketing Curriculum, Norm A. Borin, Lynn E. Metcalf, Brian C. Tietje

Marketing

This article describes the development and implementation of assessment in our new outcome-based marketing curriculum (described fully in Borin, Metcalf, and Tietje 2007). Outcomes for the marketing curriculum were specified at the program, department, course, and lesson levels. Direct embedded assessments as well as indirect assessment methods were used to gauge student achievement. Results indicate that, on both self-reported (indirect) and direct, as well as non-embedded and embedded assessments, significant value-added learning occurred. We chronicle the stages in developing and implementing an assessment plan, and reflect on our experiences in the process to provide a roadmap for other marketing departments …

Information Literacy In The New Curriculum, Michiel Moll

Michiel E Moll

South Africa has undergone major changes in the school curriculum. At the same time, international emphasis on the importance of Information Literacy has found reflections locally in many calls for the development of school libraries (e.g. Arnold, 2002: 178), but has remained a problem in the actual implementation. This is also reflected in initial teacher training which has moved Information Literacy to a skill of the teacher, rather than an essential part of the curriculum that they have to teach.

This paper first looks briefly at the changes in national curricula in South Africa, and then at the current curriculum, …

Promoting Locally Grown Foods In Schools Through Developed Classroom Curriculum And Foodservice Educational Tools, Meredith F. Carter

Senior Honors Projects

The Massachusetts’ Farm-to-School Project has worked for years to bring local farmers and school districts together. Focused on improving the markets and economic stability of farmers, while also improving the quality of foods available to students, the project implemented the first annual “Massachusetts Harvest for Students Week” during the week of September 24, 2007. As part of Harvest Week, selected schools in Massachusetts purchased and served foods grown and made by local farmers. Marketing materials were used in the participating school cafeterias, and classroom education regarding local agriculture, nutrition, and sustainability was provided. Harvest Week had the potential to improve …

How Academics And Practitioners Can Work Together: A Perspective From An Educator With Private Industry Experience, Stephen Scarpati

WCBT Faculty Publications

The author reflects on how academics and accounting practitioners can work together. He states that encouraging students in the accounting profession is very rewarding. He mentions that advising students on which is the better course of action depends upon their personal preferences, their financial situation, and the state in which they expect to be employed. He adds that despite all the substantive issues facing the profession, future accountants will find being a Certified Public Accountant as rewarding a career as ever.

Expanding The Database Curriculum, Meg Murray, Mario Guimaraes

Faculty and Research Publications

As database concepts and technologies continue to evolve there exists a need to expand the topics included in database curricula. This is challenging given the restraints on the number of courses that can be included in a typical CS or IS program. While a set of commonly identified core concepts and principles exists, there is little consensus on what supplemental materials should be included in database courses. Through an NSF proof-of-concept grant, we designed and developed courseware incorporating the use of animations to deepen and enrich standard presentations of core database concepts and to complement database teachings as found in …

Distance Learning In Accounting Courses From The Student's Perspective (1999-2006), James P. Beaghan

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of Business

Universities throughout the nation are faced wiih the reality of an increase in demand from place-bound, adult working students who live and work in locations that may be hundreds of miles from traditional college campuses, and require a less centralized mode of course instruction. At the same time technological advances are now available that provide universities with a wide range of instructional modes of instruction that include interactive television (ITV) with real time audio and visual at a number of decentralized classroom sites, live and remote. Distance learning/distance education (DE) technologies currently allow an instructor to deliver university course instruction …

Intergrating Erp Across The Curriculum: A Phased, Three-Tiered Approach, Mark C. Springer, Steven C. Ross, Nate Humann

Decision Sciences

The authors propose a phased, three-tiered approach for incorporating enterprise system software into the curriculum. The courses in each tier have different objectives and requirements. By phasing in the tiers over time, maximum student exposure and minimal course disruption is achieved. The authors illustrate this approach by discussing the on-going implementation of SAP R/3 into the curriculum at one university.

"A Lean Accounting Curriculum", Jake Lewis

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This paper is written as a part of my honors thesis. My objective for my thesis was to develop a curriculum to be used in the classroom here at Utah State University, on the subject of lean accounting. This curriculum includes a set of lecture slides, selection of an assigned textbook, a case study assignment, and a DVD. Also compiled were several other optional materials that may be used as supplements to the aforementioned set of materials or as a means to briefly cover lean accounting in another course if so desired. This paper contains a brief summary of lean …

Journey To The Center Of The Core: Computers And The Internet In The Core Curriculum, Jorge Pérez, Meg C. Murray

Faculty and Research Publications

Computers, digitalization and the Internet have transformed modern society. Commerce, education, communication and socialization will never be the same. Surprisingly, many universities do not require a computing course in the core curriculum. Critical information technology (IT) competencies are often taken for granted, to the detriment of students who lack computing and Internet skills. This paper describes an initiative undertaken by a computer science and information systems department to assess and remediate IT skills needed by all university students, regardless of major. The project is evolving along several dimensions: identification of discipline-independent IT competencies, assessment of IT skills among current and …

Issues Relating To Designing A Work-Integrated Learning (Wil) Program In An Undergraduate Accounting Degree Program And Its Implications For The Curriculum, Indra Abeysekera

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

Work-integrated learning (WIL) programs are becoming popular with students, government, employers, and universities. A major benefit of a WIL program is the increased employability of students, and this matches well with the present trend whereby students expect a pay-off from their investment in education. Although WIL programs are more common in some profession-based undergraduate courses than others, they have not been frequently discussed in relation to accounting in the Australian context. This paper discusses issues related to designing a WIL program for an undergraduate accounting program in an Australian context. The importance of WIL programs in general is followed by …

An Examination Of Entrepreneurship Centers In The United States: A National Survey, Todd A. Finkle, Donald F. Kuratko, Michael G. Goldsby

Todd A Finkle

What Hrd Curriculum Is Being Taught Within Hr Programs In U.S. Business Schools, Susan R. Madsen, Anita L. Musto, Tyler S. Hall

Susan R. Madsen

The number of academic human resource development (HRD) programs has substantially increased over the past 15 years (Kuchinke, 2001). This growth has been attributed to the increased demands for HRD-related employee skills, expertise, and performance in today’s dynamic workplace and economic environment. Kuchinke found that the large majority of HRD programs are located in colleges and schools of education. However, as we strive to describe and measure the influence and growth of HRD in academic settings, it is important to consider the HRD curriculum taught within other schools, departments, degrees, programs, and specializations. One such area of HRD influence and …

The Development Of A Human Resource Curriculum For Institutions Experiencing Rapid Growth, Susan R. Madsen, Anita L. Musto, Tyler S. Hall

Susan R. Madsen

A key challenge with the growth and expansion of institutions of higher education is in the development of degree programs and emphases. It is imperative that new programs and emphases be designed to reflect current research findings and job market needs and competencies. Curricula at some institutions have been formed through the opinions of local experts instead of through valid and rigorous research projects. In 2002 Utah Valley State College (UVSC) ranked eighth in the nation for student growth and institutional expansion when compared with other four-year public institutions (Stewart, 2002). Although this is exciting and exhilarating in many ways, …

Employability Skills In The Undergraduate Business Curriculum And Job Market Preparedness : Perceptions Of Faculty And Final-Year Students In Five Tertiary Institutions, Patrick Antonio Williams

Dissertations

Problem

For several decades educators, researchers, and employers have expressed concern about the quality of business graduates that are entering the workplace as entry-level professionals. The major concern of these stakeholders is that many students who are leaving tertiary institutions lack the necessary employability skills needed for career success. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate if undergraduate schools of business are adequately preparing their students for the workplace through the incorporation of employability skills throughout the curriculum. To achieve this purpose, the study measured the perceptions of both final-year undergraduate business students and their professors to determine …

Tourism Management Profiles: Implications For Tourism Education, Robert M. O'Halloran

Hospitality Review

Studies of state tourism directors and convention and visitor bureau directors show that there is a need for organized tourism management educations. The author discusses these studies and how they can be used in the development of tourism management education.

Recommended Content Of A Business Ethics Course, Richard C. Chewning

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Those invited to participate in this conference on "Integrating Ethics Into Business Education" were offered opportunities to address any of six important topics. The last three of these were posed as questions: (4) Does ethics offer any "practical" decision rules for real-world business decision making?; (5) What should be the ethics content of the business ethics course and/or program?; and (6) Is business ethics a "Discipline"?