A process model for educonsulting

Abstract

Purpose

The rapid rise of corporate universities, online degree programs, and the explosive growth in executive education all serve as signals to universities that the concept of a learning organization continues to gain momentum in the business community. This paper has the objective of describing a new model for academic/industry partnerships that utilizes traditional professional aspects of higher education (research, teaching, and consulting) to assist individual businesses in their quest to build a sustainable competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first describes the model, discusses implications for business and the academy and then describes its application in an organization.

Findings

The educonsulting (EC) model gives businesses a method linking their investment in education programs to their business strategy, in turn providing a potentially greater return on the investment in human capital development. In addition, the model provides a school of business with a systemic means of professionally developing its faculty and improving its stakeholder relationships.

Originality/value

The EC model described in this paper provides a blueprint for innovative colleges of business and their business partners to link individual development and organizational development to achieve their respective strategic goals.

Citation

Dunn, S.C., Jasinski, D. and O'Connor, M. (2005), "A process model for educonsulting", On the Horizon, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 148-160. https://doi.org/10.1108/10748120510618178