Literature Review

Josh Arriaga

This research will arrive with a descriptive consensus to aid in answering if higher education
increases success in terms of a business firm standpoint. To give inquisitive details and
information about this topic I will provide research in the form of conducting three interviews
and eight scholarly periodicals. These means will enrich the knowledge of the audience
reading this and be very beneficial and informative to future students studying business and
seeking opportunities in our business forms today.

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The Business arena has always been a non-stop moving pendulum that has swung from a
multitude of extremes from one side to the other. And due to this inconsistency of swinging
extremes which business has revolved around, the on-going question of Does higher education
increase success rate in business practices or firms? has continually attracted debate and
discussion. This literature review will outline various sources in regards to this question and
depict substantial information to better acknowledge the agreements and disagreements of higher
educations impact on business.
Mark Keierleber wrote an article about a conducted a survey titled, Business and
Academic Leaders Disagree on Quality of College Grads, Surveys Find which brings the
awareness of college readiness for business students. In this article Keierleber revolves his
central points around the main part of the survey which is to bring about the argument that the
education of America is tanking. One of the key statistics in this article was the fact that 11% of
business leaders strongly agree that that business graduates of today do not have skills ready for
the real world (Keierleber) which relates to the underlined statement that education is
important ,but the educational system of today is not successful. The carious statistics given not
only down play education, but it simply demonstrates its inability to work. Conclusively the
overall meaning of this article is to point out that the educational system is an important asset for
all business firms, however according to another stat, nearly 14% of the broad population
believe college graduates are ready for any success in the workplace constitutes a need to mend
this disconnect among education and the necessary skills needed for the corporate world.
Preparing for Todays Youth for Tomorrows Workplace not only collaborates with the
text above, but more so suggests the greater need to fill the gaps between an organizations
abilities and the actual skills it needs to reach its goals (Pace). The overall message of the text

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specifies that a business firm is incapable of achieving its maximum potential unless that firm is
structured among skillful individuals that have acquired a knowledge to drive volumes of success
to that firm. To refrain from repetitive statistical statements, this article retrieves multiple
statistics from other sources that claim availability, self-discipline, self-motivation, adaptability,
effective communication, and learning agility are the top competencies that business firms look
for (Pace). However based on these studies, the article points out that these competencies will
be on such high demand from now on to the near future as compared to two decades ago.
Mindset and skills in young employers of today have digressed exponentially, and Pace
reinforces the idea that both educators and learners must fill the blank spaces of skills that young
employees lack in order to generate higher accomplishments in business firms and work places.
Partnerships Help Fill Gap in Educational Qualifications considerably short changes
higher education through its suggestions of merely finding solutions to accommodate education,
but at the same time contradict the intent of higher education. Tina Grant, the author of this
article claims almost half the U.S. work force which is about 50 million, has only a high school
diploma or less which ties in to her suggestion that trainings in the workforce should be
considered to count as college credit. Also according to Grant, At the same time.educational
qualifications will rise in the years to come. Although Grants suggestion to alter and fixate
college credentials to give more opportunity to 50 million employees is plausible in the name of
opportunity, she is indirectly degrading the purpose and intent behind education. As good as
Grants proposal sounds in print, the question readers should be inquiring of her is what is the
purpose of getting accredited with education if there are more than one means of receiving it? It
is hopeful that readers see Grants knowledge in finding ways to piece together opportunities,

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however readers and those inquiring should be mindful of what educations purpose is ,and what
it can do when short cuts are not taken.
Thomas Durso carries an intrusive case in his article From DATA to Information as he
answers why education and intellect is necessary for business firms today and why business
intelligence also plays a role in the education system. In the beginning of the article Durso
briefly uses Florida State Universities game changing decision from 2the year 2000 that has
significantly impacted our means of intelligence and structure today in both the work force and
education. The example Durso used with FSU is so imperative in him answering this question
because FSU was one of the earliest investors in business intelligence tools and software
(Durso). Before FSUs investment in this, it was not common at all for anyone to utilize business
intel software. Because of BI, leaders and instructors have been given the outline and knowledge
to focus and pinpoint on topics and the necessary information to teach students today. Durso
talks about institutions, and their pressure of productivity meaning that universities are faced
with consistent pressure from governments and accrediting bodies to be very efficient in their
education and success. BI solutions have eased that pressure and have such a big role in
education today because they give feedback in the answering questions like How can we do
better, and what needs to be done to become better? (Durso). Not only does BI enhance
educations efficiency, but this reverts back to business as well in its cycle from a long term
perspective to increases productivity in firms because of educations ability to produce more
effective and efficient business leaders with skills they need based on BI. Overall Thomas Durso
showcases an excellent point in pointing out the need for BIs role in our higher education
system, and also realizing that this process creates an efficient duplication that flows both ways
in terms of business and education.

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Laying Down a Higher Education Innovation Challenge by John Harney assists in

responding to the question of how much of a role does higher education play in order to generate
success in business. Not only is this question answered, but large portions of the article also have
an emphasis on working to maintain the values of higher education and stretch its availability to
more people because of how impactful education can be in multiple areas aside from just
business. John Harney claims that higher education must remain a valuable asset even though
some see it as a financial liability because of the cost, however Harney claims it is in our best
interest that we face the higher education innovative challenge because higher education will
make students more valuable to the organization theyll work for when they graduate and will
shape our leaders with tools and structure effectively (Harney). In the long run John Harney
also says it best in his response to cost of education when he says, a goal of the challenge is to
lower the cost of credentials to students while maintaining quality because of the realization of
higher educations significant impact in our society. This article articulately spotlights
educations necessity to stay without ignoring the responsibilities and tasks that we as stewards
of education must comply with in order to keep the value of education.
In correlation to the previous two articles, Shinns also adheres to similar ideas and a
mindset containing some paralleled thoughts. In Sharon Shinns article known as RESEARCH
Revolution readers see a strong push to reshape methods and disciplinary behaviors among
educational settings as well as business settings. Sharon Shinn proposes the need for greater
academic research because of new technology, accreditation standards, and human
psychological behavior. According to Shinn, these factors have a strong influence on scholars
today as well as how communication among businesses is conducted (Shinn). The main
message orchestrated from Shinn helps us answer the question: To what measure do scholarly

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employees benefit the work force? A large portion of the answer is in research, which aids in
finding better means and methods to enrich leaders, employers, and educators with sets of skills
to enhance and bring forth more positive results to better their organization or institution.
According to Shinn, Academic research has always been the life blood of higher education
which means research has opened opportunities and methodologies to increase performance in
business with examples such as neuromarketing, and organizational scholarship (Shinn). This has
proven to be most prevalent in not only organizations, but several business schools as well. Shinn
says it best in his last statement which says, Research has been shaped by new standards, and
strategies in which will have profound effects in ways that intellectual contributions are designed
and delivered. Readers can strongly obtain the idea of research that Shinn advocates because of
the prevalent power and ability it has on higher education which has the capability to sow seeds
in many other forms one being business.
What are some of the most prevalent needs that business can utilize from higher
education is constant on going question that is often asked multiple times, but through Anne Lee
Vervilles What Business Needs from Higher Education, readers and inquirers can find some
resolves through this text. Although Verville mentions several resolves, one of the simplest ones
is use of technology (Verville). An understanding of the idea that technology is always changing
must be prevalent in order to see Vervilles perspective. Throughout the history of business, there
claims to be no foundational methods of conducting business, much less teaching, so therefore it
is crucial that readers grasp the concept that means of conducting business is always fluctuating.
An understatement to Virvilles claim to study technology in higher education institutions is
acquiring a mastery in technology. Technology will always morph into various forms which

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necessitate a strong need for higher education to teach scholars means of adapting to new forms
of technology.
From a similar perspective of Verville, Maria Seminario answers the question as to what
higher education can offer to online-based electronic businesses. According to Seminario one of
higher educations main offers is the use IT Professionals whom which understand the
knowledge of how internet technology supports business goals (Seminario). Universities are
now targeting the production of IT professionals to benefit businesses of all kinds. Students in
business management will acquire a heavy set of IT skills that will increase their value as future
employees. Seminario says, These students are nearly vital because their skills aid the IT
department which serves as on overall compliment and support to the entire business. More and
more institutions and universities are now demanding more business students that are seeking
master programs in international business to take credits relative to Global Competition as well
as Technology (Seminario). This involvement that more institutions have with IT programs has
only expanded electronic business but it has opened more opportunities for both students and a
variety of businesses. Higher education plays a significant role both indirectly and directly to
several diversified business markets, and most particularly electronic ones.
For primary means of research privileged interviews were able to be conducted with
business men and business owners from both a higher educational based perspective and noneducational based perspective. The first educational perspective interviewee was Hector Arriaga
who graduated with a Bachelors degree in Business Management and currently now has over 25
years of business and work force experience. The main questions that revolved around the entire
conversation was exactly Does higher education give, or contribute to higher rate of success?
and the other central question was To how much of an advantage does higher education give to

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business as oppose to practicing business without higher education? The key reasons and thesis
to Hector Arriagas response was the fact that higher education provides a know-how and a
structure as to approach business and work a business. In a summary he said that higher
education provides a knowledge base and a mental guide as to how to execute business success.
Along with this statement he also said however that higher education is not a means of
achieving guaranteed success but it certainly gives an individual something to fall back on
Hector Arriaga then gave himself as an example of proof of his statement because he mentioned
that he used to be the general manager of Grandys restaurant, but after that occupation he came
an insurance claimer for Crawford insurance and now Travelers insurance. He claims that the
central reason he got hired as an insurance claimer is because he had work experience, but more
so a degree. His degree is not exactly relative to that insurance claimer but according to him his
degree helped get his foot in the door.
For the second interview both Jorge Baeza and Gabe Terrazas were unable to be
interviewed due to difficulty of schedule, but small business owner Jim Martinez who is owner
of Reliable Office Solutions was interviewed from a perspective without a collegiate degree. Mr.
Martinez was very assertive with his answers to all my questions, and again the questions asked
were the same ones I asked Hector Arriaga. Jim Martinez runs a contracting blue collar business
and from his perspective he claims that both acquiring education and experience are both
important. His main claim and response to my questions was alluded to diversification meaning
that according to him to generate a solid business with consistent growing volume a business
manager, or owner must have acquired a knowledgeable mindset and experience because both
are necessary for success. Mr. Martinez also said the main thing he looks for in resumes is
diversification. He claimed that in his opinion that is the best to pick out employees. However, he

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did say that all business are subject to be different in their means, but most generally having
diversification is the most prominent way. In reference to himself he mentioned that if he had the
option to go back and earn a degree and earn a degree he still would not do so because he
claimed his 30 years of experience attribute most to his success. To conclude the interview Mr.
Martinez emphasized the importance of education and the fact he would never turn an individual
from a desire to earn one because of the value, however he was very specific as he mentioned
that education is not a ticket to success either because business is a realm of opportunity from
different kinds of backgrounds.
Through this literature review not only was a greater knowledge of higher education
gained but, through my two interviews the overall consensus of this debatable topic is the
realization is that education is an asset to many business areas and gives advantages, but does
necessitate more success. Higher education is used widely from several business firm and is
important to implement, but it not merely a wider door than that of a firm with no
implementation of education. The overall analysis reached is the importance of knowledge that is
obtained through many different doors, but merely one. Knowledge is the source of success and
growth for business and that can be tangible in various ways.

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Works Cited

Durso, T. W. (2009). From DATA to Information. (Cover story).University

Business, 12(1), 24-27.

GRANT, T. (2015). Partnerships Help Fill Gap in Educational Qualifications. TD: Talent
Development, 69(3), 76-77.

Harney, J. O. (2014). Laying Down a Higher Education Innovation Challenge. New

England Journal Of Higher Education, 1.

Keierleber, M. (2014). Business and Academic Leaders Disagree on Quality of College

Grads, Surveys Find. Chronicle Of Higher Education, 60(25), 4.

Pace, A. (2012). Preparing Today's Youths for Tomorrow's Workplace. T+D, 66(12), 4246.

Seminerio, M. (2001). Higher ed gives e-biz college try. (Cover story). Eweek, 18(11),
52.

SHINN, S. (2014). RESEARCH Revolution. Bized, 13(3), 18.

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Verville, A. (1995). What business needs from higher education.Educational

Record, 76(4), 46.

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