Developing Global Competitiveness with Online Education

Online education and geographically dispersed students afford new opportunities to gain greater international business knowledge and support a global business culture. The advent of high speed virtual communications has changed the rate of global integration of business culture and opportunities to conduct economic transactions across thousands of miles. This new mobility of ideas and marketplace transactions requires relevant forms of education that can support students in developing a larger mental framework that foster higher levels of global competitiveness. Research by Erez, et. al. (2013) studied virtually and globally diverse learning teams and how these impact the development of a global mindset.

The global conception often requires at least two different skills that afford a broader perspective of decisions and ideas. Both cultural intelligence and global identity are necessary to construct a better understanding of the world and the issues it faces. The approach to learning allows for constructionist development, or experiential learning, that affords students the ability to develop personal experiences, reflection, readjustment and enabling them to compete on a global scale (Kayes, 2002).

Cultural intelligence entails the ability to effectively function in culturally diverse settings (Ang & Van Dyne, 2008). The ability to understand different cultures requires experience with them and a general understanding of their internal structures and values. Culture is often subtle and takes on different cues and mannerisms. It takes considerable time to interact with different cultures and create a better understanding of them.

Global identity can be defined as a sense of belonging to and identifying with a global culture (Shokef & Erez, 2006). Through understanding different cultures it is possible to understand the similarities that these cultures entail. Many of these similarities revolve around the essential mannerisms of existence each culture uses to support itself and survive in the wider world.  A global identity is based in identifying with the similarities of multiple cultures.

The researchers found that cultural intelligence and global identity increased during the classes. Students were better able to formulate accurate opinions and interactions with those in different geographically dispersed locations. They didn’t lose their local culture or identity but expanded that identity to include a wider framework of knowledge that helped them reason better on a global scale. The essential element of virtual learning teams being the formation of trust among members who sought shared outcomes (i.e. learning). Focusing on similarities among different cultures was more beneficial than focusing on what makes each culture unique. The study was a success for online global management programs that sought to create greater international competitiveness in preparedness.

Ang, S., & Van Dyne, L. (2008). Conceptualization of cultural intelligence: Definition, distinctiveness, and nomological network. In S. Ang & L. Van Dyne (Eds.), Handbook of cultural intelligence: Theory, measurement, and applications: 3–15. New York: M. E. Sharpe.

Erez, M., et. al. (2013). Going Global: Developing Management Students’ Cultural Intelligence and Global Identity in Culturally Diverse Virtual Teams. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 12 (3).

Kayes, D. C. (2002). Experiential learning and its critics: Preserving the role of experience in management education. Academy of Management Learning and Education, 1: 137–149.

Shokef, E., & Erez, M. (2006). Global work culture and global identity as a platform for a shared understanding in multicultural teams. In B. Mannix, M. Neale and Y. Chen (Eds.) National culture and groups. Research on Managing Groups and Teams, vol. 9: 325–352.

British Report Highlights the Advantages of International Education

Education is going global and the economics are in place to make this happen. According to a study in 2013 by the British Government entitled International Education: Global Growth and Prosperity the field of international education is a growing trend that contributes significantly to the economic strength of the UK. Online education is a partner in ensuring that UK stays a leader in the educational market overseas.  

The educational sectors are expected to grow in the future. Growth in primary and secondary education internationally is also growing. A majority of emerging societies are focused on increasing students in higher education to improve their economies.  Universities will find their products in dire need in the future.

Exportation of the British educational system is worth about £17.5bn dollars annually. Such wealth is contributing to their economic development and now that financing is considered sustainable additional educational opportunities will be available. Britain exports higher education through bringing students to the country to study and exporting educational services.

Tuition paid by international students is around £3.9bn in tuition fees and £6.3bn in living expenses. The trend is expected to grow 15-20% over the next 5 years. This creates an incentive for them to continue improving upon their educational system.

They were able to find a balance in their visa system to help ensure that qualified applicants could make it into their educational systems while helping to ensure potential problems and visa abuse are reduced. The goal is to help qualified students come to the U.K. and stay to contribute to the economy.

Some of this growth is due to the fostering of educational technology. This includes the concept of distance education. The government will continue to support the development of educational technology and distance learning to help ensure that an adequate draw of students is available.

Britain appears to understand the concept of higher education as a potential system for not only increasing national wealth, exporting cultural norms but also raising poverty around the world. The American distance learning system could do the same and at a significantly higher level. This would help bypass the needs of visas and the gridlock revolving around immigration reform.

They have targeted China, India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Turkey, Mexico, Indonesia and the Gulf as potential places where higher education has strong possibilities. Online education has the potential to go right into these areas without heavy outlays of campuses or sunk costs. Most of the students will be paying cash or findings alternative methods of financing that helps to create a ripe market without a heavy load on U.S. student loans.

The U.S. has an opportunity to hedge its traditional educational system with that of online distance learning. The demographics of the country are changing, people are in need of updating their skills, and developing countries are yearning for higher education. The potential advantages of online education are muted by traditionalist perspectives. This doesn’t mean the system can’t be improved or developed to a higher state but it does mean that many of the criticisms are counter-intuitive to the rising trends within the market. Online education has the potential to use new technologies to reach people from nearly every corner of the earth and thereby transform the learning process and potential strength of the American educational philosophy.

That still leaves the economic impact question open. Certainly online education doesn’t have residency requirements. However, it can act as a primer to encouraging students to immigrate to the U.S., conduct business with U.S. companies, or accept some of America’s most precious values of equality. Most importantly it provides international innovation opportunities and more willing participants in creating stronger global business opportunities.

You may find lots of interesting information in the report…HERE

The U.S. Ranks 17th in Math, Reading and Science

OECD has published popular findings in its world rankings of education. The study assessed math, reading and science skills across the globe. Approximately 450,000 15-year olds in 65 countries participated within the study.  The report is considered relevant and offers opportunities for policy makers and school administrators to adjust their actions to improve upon educational quality. 

According to the Market Oracle the U.S. has around 3.8 million job vacancies and 11.8 million people looking for work. A study by the ManPower Group indicates that 48% of employers are struggling to fill jobs because of lack of skills. Where there is a mismatch between skills and available jobs new training and education are necessary to improve the situation. 

When looking at the report you will find that 4 of the top 5 countries are Asian while only 1 is from Europe. When you look at the top 10 you will find European countries predominate between the 5^th-10^th ranking.  You might also be shocked that the U.S. is about 17^th on its total ranking. 

It should be no wonder that emerging Asian countries have matched their education to their actual job skills the market needs. They focus more on the elemental aspects of reading, writing, and science in earlier education and then become increasingly complex in later classes. Likewise, soft skills such as teamwork and communication are not ignored. 

Education starts in the home and then moves into public school and finally through college. Some lucky students make their way into graduate and doctoral programs. Some might wonder if there is a need for families to develop the right skills in young students and encourage additional structure in their lives. Without a proper perspective students often move through and finish high school further behind the global and local market needs.

International Rankings 

Decade of Global Skills Updating-OECD Report

Education at a Glance covers a number of global concepts in higher education. It was published in 2013 from OECD which seeks to create a better understanding of educational issues as well as disseminate information on the education industry of its members. Within the report one can find valuable information on global trends, changing demographics, incomes and much more. Some of the highlights are related to gender flattening, higher level of educational attainment, and potential returns on educational investments.

OECD participating countries found that women are becoming education than at any point in the past. Younger populations across both genders have increased in their educational attainment. This is an international phenomenon. Since 2011, 33% of women and 30% of men have obtained a level of higher education. It is expected that 83%of all OECD young people will eventually obtain some level of upper secondary education.

Upper secondary education means that students have either gone to college or some trade school. Higher education generally means college work. The world has become a much more technical place and people are adjusting by learning new skills and abilities. Men are still seeking skills in engineering, manufacturing and construction while females are looking for programs in business, law, social sciences, health and welfare. 

In the United States, Brazil and Greece people without an upper secondary education generally earn about 65% of those with. The skills and abilities needed over the past 10 years have changed dramatically. People need higher levels of understanding and abilities in order to compete in a more technologically connected world. Those without that higher level of education seem to be losing income and opportunities in many nations. 

The report also indicates that in general society earns a higher rate of return when it invests in higher education. The graduate earns more than the cost of education and society also earns greater than its investment. This return comes in the form of higher taxes, higher employ-ability, and as a result of the products/services production. The report argues that higher levels of skill development and education can be as much as 3 times in the United States. 

Education is becoming an important part of world education. As industrial technology makes its way around the globe and information is transferred through global business networks the need for higher levels of complex thinking is needed. Higher education fosters that greater complexity but costs a significant investment in time and money. The past decade has seen a global shift in worker demographics leaving many behind but also creating opportunities for others. 

The types of people who are likely to be successful are those who are lifelong learners who seek out knowledge and the practical application of that knowledge. This is why it is important for students to not only the understanding of concepts but how they actually apply to both their lives and the working world. Those who do not have the motivation or faculty to continue to learn will find themselves falling behind those who are pushing forward in search of greater opportunities. 

OECD Report-Education at a Glance 2013

OECD Reports on Canadian and U.S. Higher Education

According to a report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Canada ranks first in percentage of educated citizens followed by the United States. Fifty percent of Canadians, forty-two percent Americans, and twenty-nine percent of the British have degrees. The Canadian population is one of the most educated among the 34 OECD and the nation s but at a higher cost.  

Canada’s post-graduate degrees such as master’s degree or doctoral degrees lag behind Korea and Japan. Younger Korean and Japanese citizens are earning higher grades which mark a fundamental shift in where higher education is being centered. With young Asians pushing hard to achieve their goals they will become new sources of discovery and revenue. There is little doubt as to the association of education with economic activity. 

The system found that those with higher degrees had about a 5% unemployment rate while those who didn’t had an 11.7%. This helps highlight the idea that education may reduce unemployment due to the variability of skills. It is these skills and general understandings that afford people the opportunity to find meaningful work. 

It may also be an indication that manufacturing and other physical labor positions are on the decline in first world nations. Cost competitiveness of manual labor is lower in developing countries such as China and India where North American companies would need to automate their operations to achieve parity. 

The report further indicated that 6.6 percent of Canadian GNP went into education from kindergarten to college while 7.3% of U.S. GNP went into education. The difference being that the majority of educational monies went to higher income student populations than in Canada. Even with higher U.S. monies American students ranked lower on international tests. 

American primary education was less developed than other nations. The key years in a child’s education, which determines in many ways their chosen paths in life, was lacking. It is possible that the declining amount of students choosing higher education and overall competitiveness upon graduation may be part of a general decline in national educational achievement. 

Fewer foreigners were coming to the U.S . for education than in the past. They were opting to stay within their countries or other places where the educational system more matches their needs. Europe was the most popular place to get a higher education. The U.S. received only 21% of the total foreign population when compared to Europe receiving 48%. 

The report should act as food for thought for higher education decision makers. The traditional educational system needs reform in order to make it more effective. From early childhood development to graduate school the system should be focused more on teaching methods that actually enhance learning. It could consider the advantages of using virtual higher educational platforms to reach out and recruit international students who can study without having to leave their home countries. 

OECD

CTV News

Washington Post

Ottawa Citizen