Title: Using the industry as a model for better learning experience in higher education

Authors: David Eriksson; Peter Manfredsson; Per Hilletofth

Addresses: The Swedish School of Textiles, University of Borås, 501 90 Borås, Sweden ' Ericsson AB, Business Unit Networks, Microwave and Access Supply, P.O. Box 22150, SE-50412, Borås, Sweden ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, School of Engineering, Jönköping University, P.O. Box 1026, SE-551 11, Jönköping, Sweden

Abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate how industrial approaches to learning can be introduced into logistics/supply chain management (SCM) education programs in a university setting. This issue has been examined through two case studies. The first case study outlines the current state of a bachelor education program in logistics/SCM at the University of Borås in Sweden. The second case study illustrates two education programs for practitioners in an international electronics company from Sweden. The investigated university education program has several practical goals, but few practical learning situations. The industrial case study illustrates how practical learning situations can be incorporated into the education program and this may help to improve skills and confidence of the students. Practical learning situations seem positive, but need consideration to when they are to be included in the education program.

Keywords: industry; industrial approaches; learning experience; higher education; teaching; project-based learning; PBL; logistics; supply chain management; SCM education; lean thinking; six sigma; industrial case study.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2016.079340

International Journal of Management in Education, 2016 Vol.10 No.4, pp.325 - 338

Received: 27 Jun 2015
Accepted: 16 Oct 2015
Published online: 27 Sep 2016 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article