Global Applied Industrial Management Education: Experiences from a Professional Graduate Program

This paper outlines more than a decade of experience in designing, teaching, planning, and executing global engineering management classes & study abroad trips for working professionals in many countries around the world. This paper outlines the immersive learning experiences such as (1) applied content (2) live case studies trips to companies in a foreign location (3) a one-week trip to a foreign location (4) executive panel discussions (5) industry experiences through videos, interviews, and podcasts. The Distribution Growth Models course features “real-time” case studies in which multiple distributors and their suppliers provide a problem environment for students to work on supply chain solutions in a project-based learning model. This second-year course examines global competitive issues in sourcing, operations, and sales. Business growth drivers, human resources, inventories, and supplier relationships are examined. Past projects have carried our students and faculty to places like China, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, India, Singapore, Poland, Argentina, and Germany. Each year, new case studies are prepared for a new location with new problem environments to reflect the changing challenges facing global distribution. The courses provide these professionals with the critical skills and knowledge necessary to be successful and gain a competitive advantage for them and their company through the immediate application of knowledge and research directly into teaching. This course project and trip also equips students with a variety of experiences which enhances the student's global competency, a vital part of being an engineering manager today.