W-09 Effectiveness of Industry-Academia PBL-type COIL in Developing Global Competencies for Manufacturing Employees

Abstract

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is a pedagogical method useful for improving students' global competence. A similar effect has been shown in industry-academia project-based learning (PBL) type COIL programs; however, little is known about the effectiveness of the COIL programs in developing the global competence of company employees involved. Through semi-structured interviews with host manufacturing companies of the industry-academia PBL-type COIL program conducted by Niigata University in August 2022, this study indicated that the program could be particularly effective in improving the global competencies, such as exhibiting a global mindset and communicating cross-culturally, especially of junior employees as re-skilling, in particular with the blended online and onsite. This result implies that the program can enhance the international management of companies such as developing highly globally competent junior employees and developing new overseas businesses by the junior employees.