Problem- and inquiry-based learning in alternative contexts: Using museums in management education

Abstract

This article describes a problem- and inquiry-based approach to teaching business model change, which is embedded in a museum-university partnership in Germany. The students concentrate on business model change in non-profit organisations in the public cultural sector, namely public museums in Germany. In this specific context, publicness implies that governmental bodies are more likely to determine a museum's strategic actions than market-based factors. Museums are distinct from other organisations, because diverse external stakeholder groups assess the cultural and economic value of their outputs. These outputs generate societal impact and are linked to the policy that a museum endorses. The chosen context enhances the university's commitment to community service because the students cooperate with a public organisation in its neighbourhood and develop implementable suggestions for business model change. Overall, the suggested format illustrates that partnerships with museums nurture impactful research and teaching in universities.