Examining an experiential learning approach to prepare students for the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) work environment

By Poh-Sun Seow, Gary S. C. Pan, Grace Koh. The International Journal of Management Education, 2019

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Abstract Due to the constantly changing work environment, there is a need for universities to produce students who can adapt in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) work environment. A university in Singapore introduced its UNIS-X experiential learning pedagogy to prepare her students with future work skills to cope with a VUCA work environment. The UNIS-X approach encompasses four principles (project-based learning; interdisciplinarity; close collaboration between faculty and external partners; and active mentoring) in a single course. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the UNIS-X experiential learning pedagogy. Although the UNIS-X group has a higher improvement of problem-solving skills compared to the non-UNIS-X group, the difference was not significant. However, the findings from focus group discussions indicate that students shared positive feedback on the effectiveness of the UNIS-X pedagogy in developing their cognitive, interpersonal and intrapersonal competencies. Students were positive about their UNIS-X experiential learning journey.

Subfields: Biomedical Engineering, Information Systems and Management, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

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