Title: When project failure is a success: an experiential approach in the classroom

Authors: Janis Warner, Qiannong Gu, Michael Glissmeyer, Pamela J. Zelbst

Addresses: Management and Marketing Department, College of Business Administration, Sam Houston State University, PO Box 2056, Huntsville, TX 77341-2056, USA. ' Management and Marketing Department, College of Business Administration, Sam Houston State University, PO Box 2056, Huntsville, TX 77341-2056, USA. ' Management and Marketing Department, College of Business Administration, Sam Houston State University, PO Box 2056, Huntsville, TX 77341-2056, USA. ' Management and Marketing Department, College of Business Administration, Sam Houston State University, PO Box 2056, Huntsville, TX 77341-2056, USA

Abstract: An experiential learning approach based on Bloom|s taxonomy was adapted to help business graduate students gain insight into Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology while covering the various classroom topics. Two graduate classes are compared, one class experienced a failed RFID project and the other experienced a successful RFID project. The projects were designed so students would learn about product design, process design, teamwork, resource scheduling, inventory planning, control and project management. Although the first project failed because of the damage to a critical component, we found that there is no difference on student learning as defined by Bloom|s taxonomy.

Keywords: RFID technology; radio frequency identification; experiential learning; RFID education; RFID projects; Bloom|s taxonomy; management in education; business education; business graduate students; higher education; project failure; project success; product design; process design; teamwork; resource scheduling; inventory planning; inventory control; project management; student learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2010.035610

International Journal of Management in Education, 2010 Vol.4 No.4, pp.446 - 462

Published online: 01 Oct 2010 *

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