Student Perceptions of Internationalization, Multiculturalism, and Diversity in the Business School

Challenges Still Facing IB Education

“…In this issue we highlight some of the continuing challenges to international business education, especially challenges inherent in globalizing and internationalizing the business curriculum and classroom experiences. This focus on challenges follows from articles presented earlier this year which looked at the development of multiculturalism in the classroom and cultural intelligence (Mitchell & Vandegrift, 2014;Tuleja, 2014). In this issue we extend the ongoing conversation about the challenges of IB teaching-including challenges to introducing multiculturalism, cultivating student engagement, maintaining academic standards while broadening outreach, and evolving IB textbooks that meet current needs.…”

Marketing Inclusion: A Social Justice Project for Diversity Education

“…However, despite almost three decades of calls for engagement in diversity, scholars have repeatedly observed that many business schools have only tangentially integrated issues of diversity in education (M. P. Bell et al, 2009; Jackoway, 2014; Mitchell & Vandegrift, 2014; Stern, 2008). According to Jackoway (2014), diversity is “still an afterthought in a number of schools” and is “more like the exception to the rule than the rule” (p. 28).…”

“…Increasing diversity content in marketing education better prepares students to successfully lead in dynamic and complex marketplaces. However, diversity has not received the same attention in business schools as other emergent fields including business ethics, corporate social responsibility, and globalization (M. P. Bell, Connerley, & Cocchiara 2009;Mitchell & Vandegrift, 2014), and this ignorance may be a lost opportunity. The repeated controversies over stereotypical and insensitive marketing strategies used by major corporate brands are similar to past business crises, which have led to a focus on ethics in the business school curricula (Blanchard, 2019;Kwun, 2019).…”

International Business Students’ Cross-Cultural Competence Development

“…Third, as suggested by Mitchell and Vandegrift (2014), HEIs should extend their efforts to hire and retain international faculty members, who are culturally competent and have professional experience in international business, not only to introduce students to global business practices but also to act as mentors and advisors. This approach can provide safe places where students can learn to build and inspire trust, and to develop social capital and cross-cultural networks.…”