The Readiness of Business Administration Departments for the Digital Age in the Post-Covid-19 Period: The Case of Turkey

Abstract

Apart from the threat it poses for human health all over the world, Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the economies of all countries due to the measures taken by governments to restrict human mobility and social life driven by the concerns that health systems would collapse. In this period, radical changes in business relations, working style, and consumer behaviors have forced businesses to seek different management strategies. Based on the idea that the changes that occur will leave permanent marks in many ways, it is expected that all functions of businesses will be digitalized due to the digital transformation required by the post-pandemic period defined as the "new normal". Business Administration departments and business education at universities play an important role in making students ready for this new era, and in making them become a part and even pioneers of this transformation after graduation. Accordingly, the curricula of the Business Departments where future manager candidates are trained should be revised and converted into new systems, in the process of adaptation to the digital society. Thus, the main purpose of this study is to determine the extent the courses are included for digitalization in the Business Administration departments' curricula which are traditionally a subdivision of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences. The curricula, and the core and elective courses of all Business Administration departments in Turkish universities that were active in 2020 were reviewed, and a descriptive research was conducted on the courses regarding their digitalization through the departmental websites. It was found out that although inclusion of digital transformation courses has begun in the Business Administration programs in Turkey, this inclusion has not been widespread. This study will contribute to the literature with the awareness it creates regarding the future of business education by taking into account the permanent effects of Covid-19.