Research-Based Projects as a Learning Strategy in Business Schools

Abstract

This article presents a summary of a new learning strategy for practicing managers who attend courses in business schools. Experimental experiential learning combines the research process (experimentation) with the practical managers' everyday life (experiences in organization behavior). The theoretical foundations are reviewed in the first section, followed by a short presentation of the experimental model used in a specific management course. The result has been the formulation of more complex theories of administration, namely contingency theories. Finally, the experimental experiential strategy is compared with the more universal textbook-exam strategies, and the author suggests that this type of learning strategy may help to close the gap between the researcher and the practicing manager.