Internationalisation of curricula: an alternative to the Taylorisation of academic work

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of internationalisation on academic work within a department of management in a large Australian university. It has been argued elsewhere that internationalisation strategies have transformed the nature and demands of academic work through the massification and commodification of educational curricula. Drawing on one of our university's projects to develop and deliver internationalised common curricula to students in Asia, South Africa and Australia we contend that internationalisation strategies have contributed to what we identify as the “Taylorisation” of teaching and learning. Frederick Taylor's principles of scientific management, exemplified by the growing trend towards standardisation of delivery and curricula, are readily identified in the pedagogical processes and expected academic practice in higher education. This paper draws on the work of others who highlight the complexity of internationalisation issues in the development and delivery of curricula and suggests a comprehensive programme of internationalisation that more effectively addresses the economic and social demands of the current global competitive environment. We argue for a programme of internationalisation that is counter‐hegemonic, ongoing, comprehensive, multifaceted and integrated and we offer some practical suggestions to redefine the principles and practices of internationalisation within an Australian university.

Notes

* Correspondence: Jan Schapper, Department of Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University, P.O. Box 1071, Narre Warren, Victoria, 3805, Australia; email: [email protected]

Monash University currently offers three undergraduate Bachelor of Business degrees on their Victorian and international campuses—the Bachelor of Commerce is offered at Clayton campus, the Bachelor of Business at Caulfield campus and the Bachelor of Business and Commerce is offered on the Gippsland, Berwick and Peninsula campuses and off‐campus learning in Australia, and on the South African and Malaysian campuses.

WebCT is one of a number of products that use the internet as a delivery platform for course management. Other examples include Blackboard, which has similar functionalities as WebCT.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jan M. Schapper *

* Correspondence: Jan Schapper, Department of Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University, P.O. Box 1071, Narre Warren, Victoria, 3805, Australia; email: [email protected]