An Investigation of How the Partnership for 21st Century Framework Reflects Innovation in MBA Programs

Abstract

There is lack of understanding about effective teaching methods for innovation education in business schools and programs. A non-experimental, descriptive study of American ACBSP-accredited business schools and programs was designed to survey MBA program leadership. MBA programs are offering innovation education but it is limited to courses and not entire concentrations; MBA programs are using experiential learning approaches to teach innovation; and, communication and collaboration were the top instructional strategies used. MBA programs should consider developing coursework focused on innovation education. The 4Cs outlined in the Partnership for 21st Century Skills should be explicitly taught within the MBA.