International Perspective: Preparing for Globalization—Do We Need Structural Change for Our Academic Programs+

Abstract

The postwar era has witnessed a fundamental reshaping of how and who conducts world trade. Companies, and by extension countries, that succeed will be those who can evolve as quickly as the economic landscape. American colleges and universities have traditionally been the training ground for businesses seeking global managers. Their ability to produce graduates for this new marketplace may depend on structural realignment among themselves, accrediting agencies, business, and government. In this article, I explore how academic preparation efforts during the past 2 decades have not effectively addressed the challenge of preparing students to manage on a global level. I present a review of the current situation and suggestions for structural change.