Integrating corporate social challenge, learning and innovation in business education

Abstract

This research sets out to understand the effectiveness of integrating corporate social challenges into MBA syllabi. Our aim was to measure students’ levels of self-efficacy and confidence after completing a social challenge in marketing, as well as gauge the benefit of the challenge for the NGO client who participated in the project. We achieved this through a mixed-methods approach including a survey, focus groups with students, and an in-depth interview with the NGO client. The results show that integrating a corporate social challenge early on in a postgraduate business school course positively impacts student experience and learning outcomes, and allows the NGO client to build on the contributions offered by students. Joining business schools to co-design and leverage on work-related projects with students also provides an opportunity for organizations to tap into a fresh pool of ideas, test run business solutions, collect feedback on pilot studies, and increase brand awareness.