Perspectives of Business and Industry on Cooperative Programming With Educational Institutions

Abstract

As the role of business and industry in the continuing education of the workforce has grown, so too have opportunities for cooperation between employers and educational institutions. However, research has been lacking to sensitize educators to the education- related needs and perspectives of business and industry. Using factor analysis, this study explored the attitudes and perceptions of 85 training managers concerning their educational priorities, the costs and benefits actually experienced in cooperative programming, high priority areas for education-industry collaboration, and barriers to effective cooperation. For most of these analyses, the resulting factor structures were clear and revealing. For example, benefits of collaboration were found to comprise two factors: resource acquisition and outcome benefits. Benefits to business and industry were perceived as far greater than costs. A "three-track curriculum" exists in business and industry, with prospects for cooperative programming apparently greatest in the areas of management development and vocational upgrading. Practical implications and suggestions for future research are noted.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Beder, H. & Darkenwald, G. Cooperation between educational institutions and business and industry in adult education and training. New Brunswick: Center for Adult Development, Rutgers University, 1980.

Beder, H. & Darkenwald, G. Occupational education for adults: An analysis of institutional roles and relationships. New Brunswick: Center for Adult Development, Rutgers University, 1979.

Bushnell, D. Cooperation in vocational education. Washington, D.C.: American Association of Community and Junior Colleges and American Vocational Association, 1978.

Clark, H. F. & Sloan, H. S. Classrooms in factories. New York: New York University Press, 1958.

Darkenwald, G. & Larson, G. (Eds.). Reaching hard-to-reach adults. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1980.

Etzioni, A. A comparative analysis of complex organizations. New York: The Free Press, 1961.

Goldstein, H. Training and education by industry. Washington, D.C.: National Institute for Work and Learning, 1980.

Lusterman, S. Education in industry. New York: The Conference Board, 1977.

National Advisory Council on Extension and Continuing Education. Proceedings of the invitational conference on continuing education, manpower policy and lifelong learning. Washington, D.C.: The Council, 1977.

10.

Nie, N. , Hull, C. H. , Jenkins, J. G. , Steinbrenner, K. & Bent, D. H. Statistical package for the social sciences (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill, 1975.