Selecting telecommunications technology for continuing professional engineering education (CPEE) program delivery: A study of the elements in decision-making within 20 high-technology manufacturing companies.

摘要

This study focused on identifying issues addressed by high-technology businesses as they chose telecommunications media for delivering continuing professional engineering education (CPEE). The main issue of study related to those elements in decision-making perceived to dictate organizational choices in the context of higher education and business. Eighteen engineering education and training managers from Fortune 500 member companies on the National Technological University (NTU) advisory board participated in this study. All had selected the emerging NTU satellite-based delivery method of program delivery. Also investigated was the involvement of CPEE professionals in the development and selection phases of decision-making, and how their roles differ within various corporate decision-making environments.; Organizational relevance and cost-effectiveness dominated selection importance and involvement, while application of adult education theory ranked last. Yet, CPEEs indicated high involvement championing adult education theory and practices, particularly in decision selection activities. Meanwhile, the continued emergence of cutting-edge technologies and the waning economy brought about many changes affecting the process of choosing telecommunications media.; Companies were classified into three newly described decision-making styles: Judicious, Rational and Pragmatic—resulting in several conclusions. First, CPEEs are more involved and achieve more in Rational settings. Secondly, Judicious settings also offer opportunities for CPEEs to engage in search and design. Third, CPEEs take part to an even greater degree in the selection phases of decision-making, and achieve maximum involvement in both Judicious and Rational settings. Fourth, CPEEs have high participation in the final approval and authorization of delivery media decisions in Judicious and Rational environments. Fifth, Pragmatic settings tend to limit CPEE involvement to consulting. Sixth, CPEEs are likely left out of group decisions in Pragmatic settings that are dominated by hierarchy. Finally, CPEEs have the greatest potential to affect decisions in Judicious and Rational settings. Furthermore, the study indicated an overall shift towards more judicious decision-making. Twenty sub-components of the balance within the economy and technology theme are listed.; Equally important, in-house adult educators view themselves as project managers and knowledge brokers rather than deliverers of education, which signals a new strategy toward greater use of self-directed learning at the workstation.