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Action Learning in Business: Building Skills Through Real-World Experiences

Learn about the MAP program at Ross School of Business, where students tackle real business challenges in teams, supported by embedded librarians for research and resources.

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Action Learning in Business: Building Skills Through Real-World Experiences

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  1. Spanning the Straits of Business Information: Kresge Library’s Embedded Librarian Program for MAP (Multidisciplinary Action Program) Laura Berdish & Corey Seeman Kresge Business Administration Library Ross School of Business University of Michigan

  2. Drivers Assistance Program • Mackinac Bridge Stats: • Length: 5 Miles or 26,372 Ft. • Height above water at Mid-span 199 Ft. (20 stories) • What if I am not comfortable about driving across the bridge? • Answer: The Mackinac Bridge Authority has a "Drivers Assistance Program" that provides drivers for those uncomfortable with driving across the Mackinac Bridge. If you are traveling northbound, there is a phone at the south end of the bridge. Instructions for using the phone are posted in the phone box. If you are southbound, just ask a fare collector for assistance. There is no additional fee for this service. (http://www.mackinacbridge.org/faq-17/Bridge+services/)

  3. MAP (Multidisciplinary Action Program) The Ross School of Business has been a pioneer in the use of action learning particularly in its MAP program. In MAP, teams of first year MBAs are engaged in real business situations where there are “real stakes” and for which they are held accountable.

  4. MAP - Sample Programs • U.S. product launch for a new European software vendor. • Distribution of mosquito netting for a global nonprofit/NGO. • Recommendations for new ventures for global technology company investment. • Alternative energy solutions for a West Coast Utility. • Marketing of Major League Lacrosse team. • Exploring new markets for passion fruit grown in Central America for an American Nonprofit.

  5. Assigning Librarians • Three current MAP programs: • Day MBA Programs (80 teams) March & April • Global MBA Programs (5-8 teams) Summer • Executive MBA Programs (two cohorts) • (8-12 teams) Summer • (8-12 teams) Fall

  6. Action Based Learning Calendar

  7. Assigning Librarians • 8 Kresge Librarians on staff - MAP is one of five core responsibilities: reference, instruction, MAP, liaison, selection • Number of teams assigned per librarian takes into account other responsibilities (collection development, digital services, technical services and library director have fewer teams) • Day MBA (6-14 teams per librarian) • Global (0-2 teams per librarian) • Executive MBA (0-2 teams per librarian)

  8. Working & Communicating With Teams Connecting with the MAP teams • Team is notified about librarian and faculty advisors. • Librarian is listed on the course management site (cTools). • Librarians send an introductory email to the team. • Librarians may meet with the team to get started on the research – either prior to a sponsor site visit or afterwards. (This instruction meeting might be the only face to face meeting with the team).

  9. Working & Communicating With Teams Questions from MAP team • “Can you help us find Peruvian government bond rates?” • “I’m having a hard time finding German lung cancer/lung biopsy data to size the market” • “We are looking to learn anything recent on what companies are doing to engage customers when they register for baby showers” • “We’ve heard that there are regulations in India that require only trained, certified clinicians can administer eye drops, but we haven’t been able to verify this” • “Please help us find information on the waterfall software development method – general information, best practices and alternatives” • “I am looking for influential figures to young people in Ghana” • “I need to find the uses and size of the Passion Fruit pulp market in the United States.”

  10. Assessment • First formal assessment spring 2008 – Online poll for second year MBAs • Important anecdotal evidence: • “Repeat customers” – individual librarians working with individual students • Requests from other Action-Based Learning programs for assigned librarians • Librarian satisfaction – Enthusiasm for team-based reference and research

  11. Future Directions • Recent Expansion of ABL Opportunities • Finance 629 (2006 – first year) • Financing Research Commercialization (technology startups) • Strategy 659 (“MAP 2”) • Elective for second year MBA students • No assignment of librarians • Domestic Corps • Nonprofit Management Center Summer Projects • Marcel Gani Internship (Zell-Lurie Center) • Entrepreneurial Summer Projects • Coming Expansion of ABL Opportunities • BBA MAP Program (2008-2009 – first year) • Formal Evening MBA Program (2008 – first year)

  12. Questions? • Laura Berdish berdish@umich.edu • Corey Seeman cseeman@umich.edu • Paper found at: http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/58361 • Kresge Library Home: http://www.bus.umich.edu/KresgeLibrary/

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