The T-Shape Dilemma in the Industrial Engineering and Management
Abstract: This paper deals
with the undergraduate “Industrial Engineering and Management” curriculum. The
research’s purpose was to examine the in-depth coverage of teaching/learning in
the combined field of industrial engineering and management, as opposed to the
extent of widthwise multidisciplinary teaching/learning in this field (T-Shape
dilemma). According to this purpose, the following research question was
derived: With respect to widthwise multidisciplinary teaching and the depth
extent of teaching in industrial engineering and management, what is the
desired situation as opposed to the actual situation?
Design/methodology/approach: In order to examine the T-shape dilemma, 16
in-depth interviews were conducted with senior-level managers in industry, and
with leading academics in the fields of industrial engineering and management.
The interviewees were asked questions regarding the planning and design of the
curriculum in these fields. An analysis of the interviews was carried out by
dividing the interviews into categories, and presenting the categories with the
highest frequency occurring in all of the interviews.
Findings and Originality/value: One of the most significant results was
the great variability between the answers of senior-level managers in industry
and those of the academics. While individuals in the business field
(senior-level managers) place great importance on focusing studies on the management-business
aspect, and acquiring multidisciplinary knowledge, academics emphasized the
great importance of understanding the theories and rationale behind the learned
material, acquiring a strong theoretical basis, and studying the basic
principles, whose implementation is then expressed in a wide diversity of
applications.
Research limitations/implications: Owing to time limitations, the
research only included 16 in-depth interviews. In order to enlarge the external
validity of this research more interviews should be executed.
Originality/value: The framework of this research is unique in term of
its topic and analysis processes.
Author: Sigal Koral Kordova,
Moti Frank
Journal Code: jptindustrigg140046
