Instilling Service Learning to Undergraduate Business Students: A Case Study Approach to Understanding Business-Related Concepts with the Use of Kiva

Sheri Grotrian-Ryan,Kyle Ryan,Alan Jackson

doi:10.5539/jel.v5n1p104

Abstract

<p>Higher education continues to place an emphasis on service-learning, specifically within business and management sciences (Kenworthy-U’Ren &amp; Peterson, 2005). A local academic business organization at a small institution chose to embark on a service-learning endeavor. The purpose of this study was for business majors, active in Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), and their advisors/professors to further investigate microlending and other business-related concepts through the use of service learning. Service was provided to the campus community, area high school Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students, and to the borrowers of their Kiva loans. The research, qualitative in nature, employed case study methodology. Themes emerged in academic, personal, and civic dimensions as a result of analysis of student responses to guided questionnaires.</p>

Highlights

Keeping consistent with the mission of the National Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL), service is a component that many chapters embrace
The ability to obtain a large n-value is nonexistent at such a small institution with an even smaller PBL membership
Respondents felt that Kiva had no need to revise the structure of the microlending program

Summary

Introduction

Keeping consistent with the mission of the National Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL), service is a component that many chapters embrace. The three professors working with the student organization on this project maintain an interest in the possibility of transforming a traditional community service project where, arguably, the community is the sole recipient of the action, into a service-learning event where both the community and students benefit To examine this transformation, students of the Peru State College chapter of Phi Beta Lambda undertook a service-learning event with the use of microlending, through Kiva. Students of the Peru State College chapter of Phi Beta Lambda undertook a service-learning event with the use of microlending, through Kiva It is worth noting the size of the institution somewhat limits the potential of results at times. Seven students fully participated in this specific service-learning endeavor

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion