THE OPPORTUNITY OF INTRODUCING GIS INTO A BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION STUDY PROGRAM

Abstract

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer mapping system developed for capturing, storing, querying, analyzing, modifying and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. GIS is already applied in different parts of tourism business or logistics and it can be used for managing information about a business, a business sector, business activity in a region, country or global. GIS in economic universities education is a new topic and there are few that offer business programs that include GIS technologies. Business students need geographic information system skills to analyze the geographic elements of business science. This paper focuses on the introduction of a Geographic Information Systems module into a bachelor or master study program of Business Administration. In order to achieve this aim, an extensive literature review was performed for understanding the GIS technologies and applications in business. On the other side, an online questionnaire was used as an instrument for the study. The objective of the survey was to study the possible problems regarding the incorporating GIS in a Business Administration curriculum and find the solutions to them, by studying deeply the opinion of the university teachers.The study was designed to give answers in teacher's familiarization with GIS technology, main obstacles in using GIS in the university and the teachers' opinions on the necessity of GIS within their disciplines. The study came to conclusion that teachers of the economic universities understand the importance of GIS in business administration and they wish to introduce GIS module as a part of program curriculum.