Educating Part-Time MBAs For The Global Business Environment

Abstract

To be successful managers in the business world of the 21st century, MBA students must acquire global skills of business acumen, reflection, cultural sensitivity, and multi-cultural teamwork. Developing these skills requires international experience, but educating part-time MBAs creates a special challenge demanding both rigor and efficiency.  This paper describes an innovative way to address this challenge.  Based on the study tour concept, the course incorporates a three-part multinational opportunity analysis project for a full semester, and provides students a chance to interact with professors and students from a university in another country.  The students develop critical global skills with only an abbreviated travel experience abroad.