Date of Award
5-2000
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine what within the introduction to finance curriculum has prepared undergraduate business major alumni to succeed at their degreegranting institutions and later to meet the demands of the business world. This included the importance of topical coverage and skills, as perceived by both undergraduate business major alumni and corresponding school finance instructors. Specifically, the preparation afforded by the introduction to finance course was assessed within business departments of selected Upper Midwest institutions of higher learning. Findings of the study were compared to organizational pronouncements of the Finance Management Association International, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants which speak to the importance of the finance function in business today.
A survey instrument developed by the researcher was mailed to 655 undergraduate business major alumni from three institutions of higher education in the Upper Midwest. There was a 39% return rate on the final two institutions selected to study. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software, and analysis included descriptive statistics and cross tabulations.
Conclusions drawn from this study include that success in the classroom centers on problem solving and critical thinking while not emphasizing the practice of verbal and written communication and that although financial analysis and planning often is viewed as a function of mid and upper management, it and related topics rank as very important to recent graduates' profession and early on in their careers. There are also differences between men and women's perceptions on the importance of skills required for success in class and on the job. Finally, a comparison of this study's findings to the goal statements and models of the Financial Management Association International and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants determined that recent graduates ' focused more importance upon the finance activity of decision support than other areas of finance activity described by these organizations. XU
Recommended Citation
Bolen, Dennis I., "Business alumni and business faculty perceptions of graduates' finance capabilities: A study of selected small private colleges in the upper midwest" (2000). Theses and Dissertations. 7479.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/7479