An integrated international learning model for internationalizing i/o psychology programs

Abstract

Today’s companies that employ industrial/organizational (I/O) psychologists typically have international linkages, whether the company is itself multinational or the company has international partners, vendors, or consumers. These companies would benefit from having I/O psychology (IOP) professionals who are knowledgeable about IOP practices that transcend national boundaries or constrained by them. Therefore, it behooves IOP graduate programs to prepare their students to provide services that benefit an international workforce. In this chapter, we present the integrated international learning (IIL) model. This model forwards different ways of designing international IOP programs by combining didactic and experiential approaches in traditional or virtual instructional environments and international or stationary settings. We present pedagogical approaches to internationalize programs that range from simple reinforcement that IOP theories might not cross cultural boundaries to entire programmatic curricula that infuse an international or cross-cultural component throughout all coursework. In particular, we recommend that IOP programs consider the modern work environment, which struggles with both a physical and a virtual workspace, by featuring at a minimum a virtually abroad program (an international program deployed through the web with international partners) at maximum incorporating all learning approaches i.e., an entire degree program. Activities that would support the variety of possible instructional methodologies include hosting an international cadre of faculty from around the globe both via the web and in person, research collaborations between host and visiting students and faculty, team projects across the globe, study abroad, and more. We argue that by educating graduate students to understand global and cross-cultural issues related to IOP, they will be able to design and implement IOP interventions across national and organizational cultures with refined cross-cultural competence.