Introduction to Business
Dennis E. Schlais
Kristi A. Schlais
Copyright © 1997 by Association Global View
Copyright © 2000 by Association Global View
No part of this manual may be reproduced by any mechanical, electronic, or photographic process, nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise copied for private or public use, without written permission from Association Global View. (www.globalview.org)
Printed in the United States of America
The authors recognize the enormous value added to this innovative project by numerous project team members. Each member of the development team brought unique talents and strengths to the vision. The resulting vision was to create an introduction to business curriculum that was first, and above all else, for the benefit of the student. The main question driving the team was, "How do students learn?" We do not mean, how do they memorize for tests. But rather, how can we transmit information, knowledge and understanding so each student will exit the course having a strong foundation in business and in critical thinking which will support them in future course work and through life?
The end result is an electronic, globally interactive program of study, which allows the student to LEARN, EXPERIENCE, and FEEL what it is like to be an entrepreneur and a manager within the global business community. We have sacrificed some knowledge content found in standard texts in order for the student to truly experience, understand, and appreciate the knowledge they have gained. We feel that the gain in understanding and the creation of a solid foundation in business is well worth the small sacrifice of rather minor information.
The total program experience that is provided should not be judged solely on this text. The experience should include taking advantage of the active learning components, the recommended web sites that provide a look at real businesses in real time, and of course, the e-commerce entrepreneurial simulation. The business that is started is simulated, but the negotiations and interaction with competitors and partners around the world is real e-business in real time. Students move from concepts in the text to a view of how real firms apply the concepts through related web links, and then to application of that knowledge in the simulation. Enjoy the total experience, learn much, and prosper.
Thank you to all the collaborating professors who made this program possible and especially to the students that worked with the development team through two years of testing.
Kristi Schlais, Editor
Association Global View
A non-profit association benefiting students and their curriculum world wide