As market barriers come down around the world, the opportunities for conducting business across borders, oceans and time zones continue to increase. MBA programs, both those offered for students attending full time and on a flexible basis, are improving in preparing students for this globalization. The increased emphasis on internationalization in business schools around the nation is due to several important factors.
More exchange and study abroad programs
Business schools have witnessed a sharp increase in recent years in the number of international students who are attending American business schools. In the 1999-2000 academic year, more than 103,000 international students studied business and management in the United States, according to Open Doors, the latest information compilation from the Institute of International Education. These statistics reveal a 20 percent jump from the previous academic year. Also, American students are participating in more study abroad programs and international internships. The total number of students enrolled in study abroad programs in all disciplines increased from just under 50,000 in the 1985-86 academic year to almost 130,000 in the 1992-1999 academic years.
Curriculum Specialization
As new international markets open and become economic partners with the United States, business schools are offering more courses that are specific to a certain country or region. Students now may take courses that help them focus on less developed economies in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. This tailoring of courses makes sense as more companies market their products or services to developing countries.
Global teams
These courses can be delivered in collaboration with partner schools. The Global eManagement (GEM) program in the RCB is an example of an American business school collaborating with an international consortium of universities to educate managers, policy makers and entrepreneurs to successfully plan and deploy e-commerce strategies. Three international seminars are held during the course of the program at different sites hosted by a member of the consortium, and students work in teams on various projects. Other American business schools continue to look for innovative ways to partner with universities around the globe to enhance the global learning experience for students.
Partnerships with academic and corporate communities
Business schools around the country are
reaching out to create key partnerships with other schools, universities and corporations. Columbia University and the London Business School launched a new global executive MBA program. In addition, INSEAD and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania have announced the formation of an alliance in the global development and delivery of management education. The alliance will offer global customized executive education and open enrollment programs at its dedicated campuses in the United States, Europe and Asia.
Impact of MIB programs
As a result of many of these changes, business schools are developing new degree programs that require foreign language proficiency and/or an internship abroad.
As we move forward, technology and evolving economies continue to create a smaller world market, more business schools will continue to incorporate international elements into their curriculum. As a result, we will hear about more examples of partnerships with other universities and corporations both at home and abroad. The end result will mean students who are more comfortable doing business with people from all continents, languages and economies.
- Bruce Brooks
