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Enhancing business education through integrated curriculum delivery

John W. Weber (College of Business and Management at DeVry University, North Brunswick, New Jersey, USA)
Steven W. Englehart (Verizon Corporation, New York City, New York, and Strayer University, Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA)

Journal of Management Development

ISSN: 0262-1711

Article publication date: 14 June 2011

1601

Abstract

Purpose

If business education programs are to meet the needs of the business community, educators must continuously examine the strengths and weaknesses of their programs. While the current business curriculum typically educates students in the key business disciplines, many business schools deliver their curriculum by creating courses based on functional area, rather than the integration of knowledge from a holistic perspective. Therefore, the purpose of this literature review is to explore several approaches for delivering the business curriculum

Design/methodology/approach

This aim is achieved through a holistic approach, which highlights the benefits and limitations of each proposal. Key approaches include capstone projects, service learning projects, team teaching, and integrative case studies.

Findings

The literature review revealed that all four approaches provide students with the opportunity to integrate their business knowledge with the critical skills that they have mastered in their liberal arts courses. However, of these approaches, the research suggests that implementing a service learning program not only permits students to integrate their knowledge, but also provides the opportunity for real‐life application of these concepts. In addition, this approach also provides the opportunity for students to experience social responsibility through civic engagement, hopefully strengthening their sense of ethics and character.

Originality/value

The role of modern business is not only to maintain profits for its shareholders, but also to demonstrate good corporate citizenship. Thus, today's business educators have the responsibility to prepare students for the role of modern business, including corporate citizenship, sustainability, and social responsibility. Thus, this paper will allow business educators to explore ways to achieve this goal.

Keywords

Citation

Weber, J.W. and Englehart, S.W. (2011), "Enhancing business education through integrated curriculum delivery", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 30 No. 6, pp. 558-568. https://doi.org/10.1108/02621711111135161

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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