Technology-Supported Education: Old Questions for New Strategies

Technology-supported education (TSE) is raising a growing interest in management education. Many business schools are introducing TSE in their programs, undertaking significant investments, but often complaining about actual returns. In this paper, we underline the importance to root TSE in a clear-cut, traditional strategic view. Building on the literature review, we develop a framework to support the technology adoption process. As a starting point, we propose a typology of technological applications, among which choices should be based on their strategic value. Main indications to evaluate each option are provided, so that a road map is developed according to the specific goals and context, aiming at making the strategic rationale of TSE choices explicit. To better develop this approach, we also analyze as a case study a new international executive education program to point out the key variables that have been taken into account and the matters that have been addressed. From a managerial point of view, adopting the proposed road map should lead to choosing the best technological tool both with regard to the efficiency and the efficacy dimension.