The Accounting Review Vol. 44 No. 3 1969
Gaining a Foothold in Systems Education.
Abstract
During the past few years, a shortage of business systems personnel has developed a shortage at all levels, including operating personnel, programmers, analysts, and managers. This article presents a case history of how the problem emerged in Hawaii, how it was studied, and how a promising solution was developed. The solution, a university course designed for accounting students which utilizes a field-trip format, is presented as an effective method for gaining momentum in business systems education. It is only through strengthened systems education at the college level that the demand for systems practitioners can be ultimately met. To attack the problem of inadequate systems education, late in 1967 the University of Hawaii, local business firms, and several professional societies pooled their resources and efforts. To the educators, business managers, and officers of the participating societies it became obvious that systems education is particularly responsive to cooperative effort, and that the course which evolved could be of interest to many members of the systems profession. Improving the supply of college trained systems recruits is the only long-term solution to the imbalance of personnel supply and demand in systems work. The current dilemma, in Hawaii, involves both inadequate educational offerings and an absence of student interest. Analysis of student needs and abilities resulted in the development of a field-trip format for the introductory systems course. Systems practitioners agreed to take part. The approach proved highly effective for learning, for recruiting students to the promising area of systems and for utilizing valuable field education resources.
- DOI
- 10.2308/tar-4489914
- Volume
- 44
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 618-623
- Language
- en
- Sources
- openalex crossref