VŠE does not emphasize a great deal about “the real world”

16. 4. 2003 | | Rozhovory, Zprávy ze školy

Prof. James Goodnow as a visiting professor at VŠE is responsible for teaching the course “International Business” in the summer semester 2002/03. At his home University (Bradley), he is a Program Coordinator of International Business Undergraduate Program.

Prof. James Goodnow as a visiting professor at VŠE is responsible for teaching the course “International Business” in the summer semester 2002/03. At his home University (Bradley), he is a Program Coordinator of International Business Undergraduate Program.

As a Program Coordinator of Bradley’s undergraduate International Business Program, which offers to its students programs in abroad, you probably have good contacts with variety of foreign universities. Why did you choose to come to Prague?

I met the rector here twelve years ago. At that time I was very interested in the changes that would be taking place after the fall of communism. I found that coming to the Czech Republic I could study change more in a “microcosm”, rather than taking a look at much larger countries where the variables are so large and variety of different kinds of business climates are so great. It’s difficult to tackle those countries for research standpoint.

The second reason why I came to Prague is that I’m very interested in cultural activities, and Prague offers a great variety.

At our university you are responsible for International Business (MIE407). Do you have the same approach to this subject as if you were teaching it in the US?

I did adjust it somewhat to your audience. The examples that I use are multinational. When I teach courses at home, I probably will be dealing more with textbook related case studies, whereas here I’m dealing much more with real world case studies. If I do real world case studies in the US, normally it’s with small and medium size companies, whereas here they tend to be basically with larger companies.

What are the major differences between students at VŠE and at Bradley?

We have been bringing students from the Czech Republic to our university for probably ten years. The Czech students tend to set the curve in classes for our domestic students; they tend to be amongst our best students. Of course they are selected very carefully before they come. Broadly speaking I would say that the Czech students are probably on the average or little better than our students in the United States. But the students have different capabilities. This University is noted for teaching economics and theory. It is noted for giving people frameworks for thinking. It does not emphasize a great deal about what we call “the real world”. That’s changing. But the opportunity for Czech students to get out and talk to business people is somewhat limited until they actually get to the job market.

If I were to see a difference between students, it would have to do with their level of pragmatism. But I think their ability to understand the application of theory in the real world is perhaps a little bit more natural than would be the case of American students.

Have you had any problems so far? Any negative experience?

Living in a Czech neighborhood, I find that the basic problem has to do with language and communication.

Would you recommend to other foreign teachers to become a visiting professor at VSE? If so, what would be your advice to them?

It is difficult to do the kind of things that I’m doing, while you are here for one semester. If you were going to be here for two or three years you could do a better job. You would be more motivated to try to learn something of the language. I would say, that if a person comes here for a very short time period, let’s say for one month or less and particularly if they come with members of their family, there is a tremendous amount that Prague has to offer. I would suggest that anybody coming here should probably try to do something from a social standpoint. To get to know either other Americans or other people regardless of their nationality, so they can feel somewhat more at home. If somebody does not come with some kind of pre-connections, it can be difficult.

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