A comparative study of information system curriculum in U.S. and foreign universities

Abstract

The continued shift toward a more integrated world economy and the need to be more informed regarding business events outside the domestic (U.S.) marketplace have contributed to a need for better collaboration among IS academicians in both U.S. and foreign schools of business. IS educators are developing new curriculum initiatives, broadening the scope to incorporate international business environment forces.This research provides the IS academic community with insights into IS curriculumin business schools worldwide in order to better understand differences and similarities across programs. These insights will prove valuable as efforts are made to broaden the scope of IS curriculum content to an international dimension. Theoretical foundations for this study are derived primarily from the international business discipline. The methodology incorporates a questionnaire targeted for a representative sample of U.S. and foreign schools of business. The results of this study provide IS academicians with a reference point from which to proceed in developing a more refined international IS component. Insights derived from IS curriculum approaches currently in place in foreign schools of business will contribute to an understanding of international IS issues and encourage collaboration with academicians outside the United States.