The impact of instructor’s group management strategies on students’ attitudes to group work and generic skill development

Abstract

This paper examines the influence of two distinct group work management strategies on finance students’ attitudes towards group work and their perceptions of generic skill development. Using quantitative and qualitative data, comparisons are made between students who experienced a supportive group work environment and students who experienced an unsupportive group work environment. The findings demonstrated that students had a more positive attitude towards group work and perceived greater benefits to their generic skill development when involved in a supported group work environment as opposed to an unsupported group work environment. Although the qualitative analysis reinforced many of the quantitative findings, there was some evidence that unsupported group activities may, in some instances, have the benefit of promoting the development of organizational skills.

Keywords:

• group work management
• generic skills
• academic alignment
• student perceptions

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Riccardo Natoli

Dr Riccardo Natoli, BA, BBus (Econ) (Hons), PhD, works as a senior lecturer in the College of Business at Victoria University, Melbourne. His research interests include financial education, corporate governance and economic development.

Beverley Jackling

Professor Beverley Jackling is Director, Financial Education Research Unit, and a professor of Accounting at Victoria University, Melbourne. Her primary research interests include the educational aspects of business and accounting education.

Lalith Seelanatha

Dr Lalith Seelanatha, BSc (Pub Ad), MBA, MAcc, PhD, ACA, works as a lecturer in the College of Business at Victoria University, Melbourne. His research interests include financial education, corporate finance and governance and banking.