Educating Part-Time MBAs For The Global Business Environment

Abstract

To be successful managers in the business world of the 21^st 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.