A study to identify international business competencies needed by business graduates of four-year colleges and universities in Taiwan, R.O.

Purpose. The need for international business education is a result of the intensifying global economic integration. Curricula in business schools must explicitly address the global competitive, cultural, and economic factors that shape the environment in which firms operate. An international business curriculum, which enables students to develop a strong awareness of cultural and economic differences among nations and a deep appreciation of how professionals operate on an international basis, is needed.;Yet, as international business has impacted other nations and economic entities, it has influenced greatly Taiwan's economic development over the last couple of decades. This study attempted to identify the international business competencies perceived to be necessary by business educators, policy makers, and practitioners in the international business setting for business graduates of Taiwan's four-year colleges/universities to be successful in securing and advancing in business positions. The results of this study will assist business education programmers to align college/university business curriculum with international business environment and practices.;Procedures. The research procedure used to conduct this study included: (a) a review of a literature review of global economy, transformation of Taiwan's economic structure, and the current status of higher education in Taiwan, (b) development of initial research instrument, and (c) data collection and analysis by the modified Delphi technique.;The initial questionnaire consisted of 42 statements compiled from the review of (a) National Business Education Association's (NBEA) 1995 International Business Competencies and (b) Zeliffs 1993 study of "International Business Competencies Considered Important by Fortune's Global 500 Firms." Thirty-three experts including policy makers, business educator, and international business practitioners served on the panel identifying which competencies were important or unimportant. The panel members generated 9 additional competencies, which were added to the instrument after the initial round.;Conclusions. In three rounds of modified Delphi study, the following conclusions have been reached: (a) In order for Taiwan to secure its economic competitiveness, it is important that business graduates of four-year colleges/universities be equipped with top foreign language skills, especially English; (b) It is vital for students to possess the skills to cope with and manage the advanced information technology in an increasingly global competitions environment; (c) More knowledge of legal responsibilities related to international business should be developed in business graduates; and (d) Taiwan's business graduates should learn more about China in general and how businesses are managed in China.