International Journal of Business, Management and Social Research |
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RESEARCH ARTICLE:
Does our course content meet the employers’ needs? An exploratory study specifically related to international business in Louisiana
Weiwen Liao, Margaret S. Kilcoyne, Marcia M. Hardy and Carmella Parker
Northwestern State University, College of Business & Technology, School of Business, Natchitoches, LA, USA
Article information:
Received: 11.10.17, Revised: 29.12.17 and Published online: 25 January 2018.
Int. J. Bus. Manag. Soc. Res. | Volume 04, Issue 02, pp. 229-239
Crossref: https://doi.org/10.18801/ijbmsr.040218.26
Does our course content meet the employers’ needs? An exploratory study specifically related to international business in Louisiana
Weiwen Liao, Margaret S. Kilcoyne, Marcia M. Hardy and Carmella Parker
Northwestern State University, College of Business & Technology, School of Business, Natchitoches, LA, USA
Article information:
Received: 11.10.17, Revised: 29.12.17 and Published online: 25 January 2018.
Int. J. Bus. Manag. Soc. Res. | Volume 04, Issue 02, pp. 229-239
Crossref: https://doi.org/10.18801/ijbmsr.040218.26
| 26.04.02.18_does_the_course_content_have_relation_with_the_employer_requirements.pdf |
Title: Does our course content meet the employers’ needs? An exploratory study specifically related to international business in Louisiana
Abstract: Higher education must be able to determine employers’ workforce expectations.With the expansion of international business opportunities, the purpose of this research is to determine what current and emerging knowledge and skill sets are needed by graduates; specifically, those related to international business in order to meet the requirements and needs of Louisiana’s international business employers.Using an exploratory model, we sought to determine what international business topic areas are considered by Louisiana exporters to be important for newly graduated students.The population for the study was the Louisiana District Export Council (LDEC) members and data was collected using a Survey Monkey link.
The study findings appear to suggest that the top “highest in importance” topic areas were: (1) How to Enter International Markets; (2) Politics, Law, and Economic Systems; (3) Foreign Exchange Market; and (4) Cultural Differences. Furthermore, results appear to indicate that eight NASBITE topics currently not being taught but of importance should be included in the international business course content, and among them the top 5 important topics are (1) Terms of Payment; (2)Risk Management; (3) Incoterms; (4)International Logistics; (5) Trade Finance. These findings may be used to align existing class topics or, if applicable, create new courses for the program.
Future research might include surveying business and industry partners, universities and colleges who teach international business, and alumni. This assessment incorporates all stakeholders and provides valuable curriculum information needed to align our students’ knowledge and skill sets with the expectations of employers.
Key Words: Employers’ expectations, Teaching, Curriculum, Course content and Export
Abstract: Higher education must be able to determine employers’ workforce expectations.With the expansion of international business opportunities, the purpose of this research is to determine what current and emerging knowledge and skill sets are needed by graduates; specifically, those related to international business in order to meet the requirements and needs of Louisiana’s international business employers.Using an exploratory model, we sought to determine what international business topic areas are considered by Louisiana exporters to be important for newly graduated students.The population for the study was the Louisiana District Export Council (LDEC) members and data was collected using a Survey Monkey link.
The study findings appear to suggest that the top “highest in importance” topic areas were: (1) How to Enter International Markets; (2) Politics, Law, and Economic Systems; (3) Foreign Exchange Market; and (4) Cultural Differences. Furthermore, results appear to indicate that eight NASBITE topics currently not being taught but of importance should be included in the international business course content, and among them the top 5 important topics are (1) Terms of Payment; (2)Risk Management; (3) Incoterms; (4)International Logistics; (5) Trade Finance. These findings may be used to align existing class topics or, if applicable, create new courses for the program.
Future research might include surveying business and industry partners, universities and colleges who teach international business, and alumni. This assessment incorporates all stakeholders and provides valuable curriculum information needed to align our students’ knowledge and skill sets with the expectations of employers.
Key Words: Employers’ expectations, Teaching, Curriculum, Course content and Export
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE:
APA (American Psychological Association)
Liao, W., Kilcoyne, M. S., Hardy, M. M. and Parker, C. (2018). Does our course content meet the employers’ needs? An exploratory study specifically related to international business in Louisiana. International Journal of Business, Management and Social Research, 04(02), 229-239.
MLA (Modern Language Association)
Liao, W., Kilcoyne, M. S., Hardy, M. M. and Parker, C. “Does our course content meet the employers’ needs? An exploratory study specifically related to international business in Louisiana’’. International Journal of Business, Management and Social Research, 04(02) (2018): 229-239.
Chicago and or Turabian
Liao, W., Kilcoyne, M. S., Hardy, M. M. and Parker, C. Does our course content meet the employers’ needs? An exploratory study specifically related to international business in Louisiana. International Journal of Business, Management and Social Research, 04, no. (02) (2018): 229-239.
APA (American Psychological Association)
Liao, W., Kilcoyne, M. S., Hardy, M. M. and Parker, C. (2018). Does our course content meet the employers’ needs? An exploratory study specifically related to international business in Louisiana. International Journal of Business, Management and Social Research, 04(02), 229-239.
MLA (Modern Language Association)
Liao, W., Kilcoyne, M. S., Hardy, M. M. and Parker, C. “Does our course content meet the employers’ needs? An exploratory study specifically related to international business in Louisiana’’. International Journal of Business, Management and Social Research, 04(02) (2018): 229-239.
Chicago and or Turabian
Liao, W., Kilcoyne, M. S., Hardy, M. M. and Parker, C. Does our course content meet the employers’ needs? An exploratory study specifically related to international business in Louisiana. International Journal of Business, Management and Social Research, 04, no. (02) (2018): 229-239.
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