Title: A win-win approach to promoting cooperation between business organisations and business education: the role of internships

Authors: Mahmoud M. Yasin; Carlos F. Gomes; Phillip E. Miller

Addresses: Department of Management and Marketing, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70625, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA ' ISR-Operations Management Group, School of Economics, University of Coimbra, Av. Dias da Silva 165 – 3004-512, Coimbra, Portugal ' Department of Management and Marketing, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70625, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA

Abstract: Utilising internship evaluation forms of students from different majors, who were attending two universities in the USA, and Portugal, this research sought to assess relevant abilities, skills, and attitudes impacting the job performance of these students during their internships. Based on the evaluations analysed, it appears that executives of business organisations tended to value other non-technical aspects of performance, rather than merely the technical aspects. The implications and recommendations of this research to business education, and the business community are presented in the form of two conceptual frameworks. The frameworks are designed to promote win-win relationships, which enhance the employability of business graduates. The proposed frameworks stress the consistency, and the systematic approach to the business-like educational model.

Keywords: business organisations; business education; internships; job performance; employment; win-win joint ventures; internship evaluation; USA; United States; Portugal; abilities; skills; attitudes; employability; business graduates.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPMB.2015.072330

International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking, 2015 Vol.5 No.4, pp.499 - 514

Received: 17 Jan 2015
Accepted: 17 Jan 2015
Published online: 09 Oct 2015 *

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