Interdisciplinary Business Education: Combining the Power of Inter-professional Collaboration with the Benefits of Student Engagement Alan Belasen, Ph.D., Chair, Business, Management, Leadership Programs Rosalyn Rufer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Management

Our world is increasingly interconnected and interdependent Global environments are characterized by multiplicity, interdependence, and complexity Exchange systems around the globe put pressure on professionals and managers to collaborate Interdisciplinary knowledge bring a broad view to projects and strategic decisions 2 Interdependence

Integration A functional specialist is the best choice for depth of knowledge However, decision processes require holistic and cooperative modes of inquiry Breadth of knowledge provides for information from diverse perspectives Students with interdisciplinary skills and knowledge increased marketability for career choices 3

Collaboration for Interdisciplinary Teaching Two or more faculty from different disciplines collaborate Provides for mutual understanding and respect for each discipline Emanates from an understanding and appreciation of each discipline Provides students with the opportunity to actively participate in the learning 4

Interconnected Fields of Experience Opportunity for students to see connections and relevance between topics and perspectives. Faculty members are involved in the planning and development of interdisciplinary learning modules: Selecting a focus or thematic topic Generating ideas or connections between related topics Establishing guiding questions for the scope and sequence of the module Designing activities to fulfill the goals of the learning module Engages students in epistemological questions such as “What is knowledge?” “What do we know?” and “How can we present knowledge?” 5

Examples of Interdisciplinary Work At Different Levels 6

Interdisciplinary: Research and Course Development Management Problem: Preparing to teach students to successfully integrate technology transferred from one organization to another Solving the Problem: Interdisciplinary research with one who has expertise on how to manage innovation, the other with expertise on how to create a learning organization Outcomes: 1.Book chapter by Belasen & Rufer (2014). “Innovation Communication and Inter-functional Collaboration: A view from the competing values framework for Corporate Communications” in Strategy and Communications for Innovations, Nicole Pfeffermann (Ed). 2.Two interdisciplinary courses one on Innovation and Global Commercialization; the other, Application of Innovation for Strategic Planning and technology transfer. 7

Interdisciplinary: Course and Program Development Management Problem – Addressing complexity, multiplicity and interdependence in global business environments Solving the problem – team teaching with faculty from multiple disciplines: Economics, marketing, management, and business law Outcomes – 1.Scanning the Business Environment -- Team taught holistic design using broader perspectives and integration of knowledge areas 2.Development of MBA in Global Leadership – Focusing learning on cultural competence, flexibility in architecture, and diversity of understanding. 8

Interdisciplinary: Scholarly Work, Certificates, and Partnerships Management Problem - increased complexity in managing health care systems and a movement toward inter-professional collaboration Solving the problem –integration of competencies and functional knowledge from a variety of disciplines including management, marketing, and sociology. Outcomes – 1.A new book by Belasen, Eisenberg, & Huppertz (2014). The Master Leader: Strategies for Increasing Leadership Effectiveness in Health Care Organizations, Jones & Bartlett Learning. 2.Advanced graduate certificate in Health Care Management 3.Joint venture with SUNY College of Optometry to teach optometrists how to manage their practices. 9

Interdisciplinary: Dual Diploma, New Design Management Problem - bridging the knowledge gap Solving the problem: international cooperation and integration through alliances Outcomes 1.Dual diploma that provides specialized courses throughout the curriculum, culminating in a team taught capstone project 2.MBA for Veterans with functional knowledge from military training, and leadership and managerial competencies through course work that culminates in a team taught capstone. 10

Interdisciplinary: New Models of Teaching Management Problem – making management education relevant for changing careers Solving the problem – interdisciplinary curricular development Outcomes – 1.Blended residencies with interdisciplinary based, skill oriented workshops and seminars 2.Competency-based models of learning for MBA in Management degree 3. Belasen, A., Chukhlomin, V., Chukhlomina, I., Lus, B., & Rufer, R. (2013). Making Business Curricula More Relevant to Global Changes: The MBA in Global Leadership. In Littrell, R.F. (ed). Leadership in Russia, Proceedings of the 2013 Conference: Leadership in Russia and Global Context, October

Your Examples of Interdisciplinary Collaboration 12

VENUES FOR INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION. Where else can we improve our teaching through interdisciplinary inquiry and mode of teaching? 1.What other issues are we facing in management education today? 13 Breakout Groups

Master list: What other issues are we facing in management education today? 14

VENUES FOR INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION Where else can we improve our teaching through interdisciplinary studies? 1.What other issues are we facing in management education today? 2.Solving the problem – what do you currently do in your institution? 15 Breakout Groups

Master list: Solving the problem – what do you currently do in your institution? 16

VENUES FOR INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION. Where else can we improve our teaching through interdisciplinary studies? 1.What other issues are we facing in management education today? 2.Solving the problem – what do you currently do in your institution? 3.How can we improve outcomes? 17 Breakout Groups

Master List: How can we improve outcomes? 18

VENUES FOR INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION. Where else can we improve our teaching through interdisciplinary studies? 1.What other issues are we facing in management education today? 2.Solving the problem – what do you currently do in your institution? 3.How can we improve outcomes? 4.How do we increase collaboration across major fields in business? 19 Breakout Groups

Master list: How do we increase collaboration across major fields in business? 20