Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1. Perceived importance of nontechnical business subjects
Most Important
Student
Employer
Least Important
Student
Employer
(2)
13.5
(1)
21.3
Accounting
Accounting
9.9
1.9
(2)
13.5
6.6
11.6
Business finance
6.4
Business finance
(3)
12.5
(3)
14.8
Business ethics
Business ethics
11.6
7.1
(3)
14.1
Business law
8.3
4.5
Business law
9.2
6.9
9.0
Business statistics
11.2
12.2
Business statistics
(3)
12.5
(2)
16.0
Economics
5.6
2.6
Economics
(1)
14.2
(1)
23.1
Foreign language(s)
7.6
3.2
Foreign language(s)
(1)
24.1
(2)
17.4
Management
Management
3.3
3.2
Marketing
10.9
10.3
Marketing
10.2
9.6
There was somewhat less agreement regarding least important non-information systems
subjects, with students rating “Foreign languages” first but rating “Economics” second and
choosing “Business law” as third.
These results suggest that employers and students share some degree of agreement
regarding the relative importance of non-IS business subjects. The results have interesting
implications for tertiary educators. Clearly, students should be advised to include study of
Management, Accounting, and Business Ethics in their courses. Unless there is some
compelling reason to include further non-IS business subjects, such as fulfilling the
requirements for a second major or a dual qualification, study toward acquisition of “soft
skills” may be a better choice for students than additional non-IS subjects.
METHODOLOGY OF THE 2001-2002
FOLLOW-UP STUDY
A follow-up study to further explore the “other business skills” aspect of the IS
curriculum was conducted in 2001. A multipart questionnaire was devised that solicited views
on the importance of formal business subjects and “soft skills” that may be found in the
curriculum of many IS degrees. Demographic data including age, gender, and aspects of
employment were also gathered.
Web-based survey distribution was used. Mehta and Sivadas (1995) demonstrated that
email-based surveys generated response rates comparable to those of postal surveys but
