HCBE Faculty Articles

Structured Creativity for Strategy Development – An Empirical Test of Effectiveness of Template Use in MBA Strategy Classes

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Quality Approaches in Higher Education

ISSN

2161-265X

Publication Date

9-2017

Abstract/Excerpt

This article outlines the design and testing of a template-based assignment that emulates structured creativity in developing a strategy for a given firm. Learning by doing is accomplished in this course by employing directed learning through the use of templates to guide the development of strategic options. However, the use of templates is optional, and some students with work experience choose not to use them. Learning outcomes for this applied course are assessed by a rubric that closely tracks the structured creativity process enabled by the template in use. The impact of template use and work experience on the final project performance is empirically tested. The findings show that templates can enhance the quality of strategy options created in the strategy-development process for all levels of work experience with a pronounced effect on those with higher levels of experience. Therefore, template-based pedagogy in strategy-options development projects is recommended as it provides the students a richer learning experience in applying strategy concepts leading to enhanced learning outcomes.

Volume

8

Issue

2

First Page

16

Last Page

23

Link to Full Text
Peer Reviewed

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