ERIC Number: EJ1161826
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1936-346X
EISSN: N/A
Designing and Using Projects with Real World Application in a MBA Managerial Accounting Class: The Case of The Balanced Scorecard
Houke, Charlotte
Journal of Learning in Higher Education, v13 n2 p33-38 Fall 2017
This paper explores the purpose of designing and using projects with real world application in a M.B.A. managerial accounting class. Included is a discussion of how and why the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) Project has been used in classes to link theory with practice by providing real world application of the BSC framework. M.B.A. students represent a diverse background of professionals with skill sets in a variety of different fields. The BSC project was selected and designed for this group in part due to its broad application and ease with which each student would be able to gather and apply information. Students were challenged to design a personal BSC based on their particular position. The BSC framework emphasizes the key role played by management accounting in influencing and assessing performance from the four BSC perspectives (financial, customer, internal business process, and learning and growth) and includes financial and nonfinancial measures. The basic learning objective was for the student to apply what they learned about the balanced scorecard to their organization and clarify their understanding of how their position relates to company strategy. The project also provided the opportunity to increase the student's understanding of their organization's business model by developing business performance metrics linked to strategy. Each student designed a personal BSC with at least one measure from each of the four balanced scorecard perspectives. The project was divided into six weeks. Weekly feedback was provided from the professor to assist in the design of the BSC. The project was assigned in eight M.B.A. managerial accounting classes between 2013 and 2015. At the end of each class, students were asked to complete a survey. The survey contained five questions to be answered on a five point Likert scale with space for additional comments. The survey yielded 72 useable responses. The majority of the students (90% or greater) reported that they either agreed or strongly agreed that they enjoyed the BSC project and it increased their understanding of how their position contributes to the overall strategy of their organization. The majority of the students (90% or greater) reported that they either agreed or strongly agreed that they gained knowledge that will be beneficial to them on their job and recommend that the BSC project be included in future managerial accounting classes.
Descriptors: Accounting, Business Administration Education, Active Learning, Student Projects, Problem Based Learning, Curriculum Design, Curriculum Development, Likert Scales, Student Surveys, Teaching Methods, Case Method (Teaching Technique), Student Satisfaction, Student Motivation, Instructional Innovation, Educational Strategies, Curriculum Implementation, Behavioral Objectives, Performance Factors
JW Press. P.O. Box 49, Martin, TN 38237. Tel: 731-587-4010; Fax: 731-588-0701; Web site: http://JWPress.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A