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Many business schools and universities these days encourage students to undertake consulting projects with local businesses to provide them with real-world experience in analyzing business problems and proposing viable solutions. I’m here.
The potential for students to gain in terms of acquiring knowledge and experience is clear. For companies, the consulting process is usually free, but executives must dedicate their time to engaging with students and may need to share commercially sensitive data.
However, two key factors may have been overlooked so far, according to a study by four researchers from the Accounting Department of the Singapore Management University. intercultural competence and digital literacy.
“Important Learning Experience”
In this study, SMU researchers Clarence Goh, Yuanto Kusnadi, Gary Pan, and Poh Sun Seow found that student consulting projects with overseas clients were “a critical learning experience that enables students to strengthen their digital literacy and intercultural competence.” It is an experience,” he suggests. Prepare them for the jobs of the future. ”
Yuanto Kusnadi, Associate Professor of Accounting (Education), told the Office of Research and Tech Transfer that the School of Accountancy has students visit overseas companies and “has a study mission to interact with business leaders and learn about the business environment and culture. said there is a program called other countries. “
“That’s how the basic premise of the study came about. As far as we know, no one has done research to understand cultural intelligence and technological advances. So how do students contribute?” I thought it would be a good idea to see if it is possible.In addition to improving the technical capabilities of the company, it is also possible to absorb cultural information through interactions with business leaders and others you meet overseas.”
This research International Journal of Education (IJE).
In it, the authors cite a McKinsey study, suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated companies’ digital transformation efforts, thus suggesting that ‘business executives must think globally. There is an urgent need to adopt and raise the level of digital.” Cultural intelligence and digital competence are key elements of new online business models, so literacy is required. ”
As regards the accounting sector in particular, its rapid transformation requires an “urgent infusion of digital knowledge and cultural intelligence,” according to SMU’s research. will be able to navigate the future workplace where is the norm.”
On the need to adapt to different cultures
We often hear about the importance of emotional intelligence within an organization, but rarely about cultural intelligence. For Professor Kusnadi, this is an individual’s ability to understand the differences between his own culture and those of others. “Being able to understand and being able to adapt to a different cultural environment are two different things. “
The study focuses on the impact of a study trip to Laos, where a prominent conglomerate sponsored the project, and a “virtual” study trip to Indonesia involving one of the country’s oldest banks. (This particular initiative had to be conducted mainly via conference call as the COVID outbreak prevented students from traveling to Jakarta.)
Main findings
“There were two main findings,” said Professor Kusnadi. “First, experiential, project-based learning opportunities like this, especially involving international clients, allow students to really understand the nuanced differences between different cultures. It prepares them for a more real world.They may be sent overseas by their company.”
“The second finding relates to digital literacy. Participating in a company’s digital transformation initiative helps students become more familiar with digital technologies (such as artificial intelligence and big data) and their impact on potential customers. I have to learn.”
The paper concludes, “It is clear that university education plays a key role in developing and developing students’ digital literacy and cultural intelligence.”
“Unique collaboration”
In fact, the research is now being expanded to involve students at the University of Indonesia, one of Indonesia’s top universities. “Collaborating on student projects further enhances cultural intelligence,” says Professor Kusnadi. “The feedback from both student groups has been very positive. Having someone from the country with local knowledge adds to the dynamics of the group and helps increase the mutual learning experience.”
Professor Kusnadi added that this is one of the reasons the study was nominated for the QS Reimagine Education Awards. Zoom without physical manipulation. ”
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Clarence Goh et al., Improving Cultural Intelligence and Digital Literacy in Accounting Education: Insights from a University’s Global Student Consulting Program, International Journal of Education (IJE) (2021). DOI: 10.5121/ije2021.9201
Provided by Singapore Management University
Quote: Student Consulting Project: Improving Cultural Intelligence and Digital Literacy (29 August 2022) will open on 29 August 2022 at https://phys.org/news/2022-08-student-cultural-intelligence- Taken from digital-literacy.html
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