Partnering Academia and Small & Medium Businesses (SMB):A Consulternship Approach
This paper reports on research concerned with establishing a partnership between an academic institution and small & medium businesses through the establishment of student consulternships. The aim of the consulternships is to provide business management students in their final year of study with the opportunity to put theory into practice through a real-life learning experience while providing quality, affordable services to local SMB. A literature review was conducted to examine similar approaches implemented overseas particularly in North America. The review examined the experience of students, participating businesses and academic institutions with regard to the benefits and challenges experienced by each. Specific issues such as the recruitment, selection and payment of student consultants, type and nature of projects, and the processes of supervision and communication were examined. The important issue of funding, sus tainability and competition for local professional small business consultants was also examined. The results of the review suggest that such an approach is potentially beneficial for all parties provided sufficient inputs of time, effort, and resources were forthcoming. Primary data was collected through interviews with senior management students in the School and with local SMB. Data was also obtained from interviews with senior academics and management in the School. The responses to the concept of consulternships were positive with the proviso that dedicated resources in terms of finance, time and staff resources were made available. A major issue was the sustainability of the approach which was seen as having the potential of developing a beneficial partnership between the School and local business enterprises while providing students with valuable pre-employment experience.
small medium business student consultancy business academic partnerhips
Glyndwr Jones
University of Waikato, New Zealand
国际会议
杭州
英文
473-476
2009-10-25（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）