Interdisciplinary Collaborative Learning: Using Decision Analysts to Enhance Undergraduate International Management Education

Abstract

This article describes an experiential learning activity designed to promote the development of decision-making skills in international management students at the undergraduate level. Students from an undergraduate management science course in decision analysis served as consultants on a case assigned to teams in an international management class. Communication between groups and consultants was facilitated by the use of an Internet-based Web conferencing system. Surveys completed by international management students indicated that the exercise enhanced their understanding of the role of quantitative analysis in an important business decision and increased their confidence in the group’s final recommendation in the case.