ERIC Number: EJ1255257
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1941-1766
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Lean Collaboration on Campus? A Social Network and Bricolage Approach
Earle, Andrew G.; Merenda, Michael J.; Short, Kevin M.; Thein, May-Win L.; Sedam, Marc C.
Advances in Engineering Education, Spr 2020
Benefits of interdisciplinary student participation in a university's entrepreneurial activities are well known. Still, institutional barriers (structural, temporal, spatial, economic, attitudinal) conspire to block participation. Aided by the NSF's "Pathways to Innovation Program," the authors conducted a field experiment to increase STEM student participation in a high-profile business proposal competition (BPC). The experiment employed two interventions: informal social networks and bricolage -- the innovative and parsimonious use of existing resources. Utilizing these interventions, the authors collaborated to innovatively exploit the Business College's BPC and Engineering College's capstone engineering projects course (CEP). The goal was to facilitate and track STEM students' BPC participation. Participation was voluntary, and not graded. Participation in the BPC increased from 10 STEM students to 27 and the number of BPC finalists increased from 1 STEM-business interdisciplinary team to 4 following the intervention. Findings demonstrate that social network and bricolage-inspired intervention appear useful in increasing STEM student and interdisciplinary team BPC participation and success.
Descriptors: Cooperation, Social Networks, Interdisciplinary Approach, Entrepreneurship, College Students, Student Participation, Barriers, STEM Education, Intervention, Resources, Capstone Experiences, Competition
American Society for Engineering Education. 1818 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 412-624-6815; Fax: 412-624-1108; Web site: http://advances.asee.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A