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ISEDJ 5(32)

Volume 5, Number 31

December 4, 2007

11 pages 543 K bytes

The Value of a Project-based Approach to Teaching Electronic Commerce in MBA Programs Kamal M. Kakish Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MI 48075 USA S. Alan McCord Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MI 48075 USA

Abstract: Many MBA programs include an exposure to electronic commerce (e-commerce), but often that exposure falls short of providing the student with a practical experience to help them understand how businesses use the Internet to generate sales, provide information, and gain market share. A project-based approach to e-commerce offers the MBA student a pedagogically comprehensive learning experience that builds upon assigned readings, major and minor assignments, and a project that explores one of seven aspects of e-commerce systems. E-commerce as a field of study is particularly well suited for project-based teaching. The project-based approach exposes the MBA student to real-life scenarios and offers exposure the major considerations involved in e-commerce systems. The approach provides choice for students to focus their learning experience on a particular area of interest. The implementation of an e-commerce project facilitates the understanding of e-commerce implementation strategies from both business and technology perspectives, and the effects of strategy decisions on business performance. This article describes a project-based approach to teaching e-commerce, discusses lessons learned and the future evolution of the course, and offers recommendations for other institutions who may wish to implement a project-based approach to teaching e-commerce.

Keywords: project based teaching, electronic commerce, pedagogy, hybrid instruction, MBA

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