Developing an Innovative Teaching Concept: "Hidden Champions. Departure to Globalia"

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

2 Basis for developing the teaching concept

2.1 The millennial generation

2.2 Circumstances at the University

2.3 Innovative teaching tools for the teaching concept

3 Hidden Champions - Departure to Globalia

3.1 Content of the book

3.2 Adjustments for the lecture

4 Teaching concept

4.1 Introduction into the teaching concept

4.2 Teaching notes

4.3 Teaching tools and further recommendations

5 Conclusion

Objectives and Topics

This master thesis aims to develop an innovative teaching concept that increases student engagement and motivation throughout the entire semester. The central research focuses on identifying teaching tools and pedagogical strategies that shift student focus from final exams to continuous learning while conveying practical business relevance.

• Analysis of the "Millennial" generation's learning characteristics and educational expectations.
• Investigation of teaching circumstances and faculty preferences at the university.
• Development of an innovative lecture series based on Hermann Simon's "Hidden Champions" framework.
• Integration of interactive teaching tools such as case studies, guest lectures, and gamified quizzes to improve student participation.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1 Introduction: Discusses the need for innovative teaching concepts due to changing educational demands and the importance of motivating students throughout the entire semester.

2 Basis for developing the teaching concept: Analyzes the characteristics of the millennial generation and evaluates university teaching circumstances through expert and student interviews.

3 Hidden Champions - Departure to Globalia: Details the core content of the lecture, based on Hermann Simon’s book, and explains how this content is adapted for a twelve-session lecture program.

4 Teaching concept: Provides specific teaching notes, lecture materials, and implementation recommendations for the proposed curriculum, including case studies and gamification tools.

5 Conclusion: Summarizes the key findings of the thesis and discusses potential for future research and continuous improvement in academic teaching methods.

Keywords

Hidden Champions, Globalia, Millennial generation, Innovative teaching, Student motivation, Case studies, Competitive advantage, Guest lectures, Gamification, Teaching tools, Lecture design, Higher education, Strategic management, Continuous learning, Knowledge transfer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary goal of this master thesis?

The primary goal is to develop an innovative teaching concept that successfully increases student motivation and active participation throughout the entire academic semester, rather than focusing solely on final examinations.

Which target group is addressed by this teaching concept?

The concept is specifically designed for the "Millennial generation," which represents the current demographic of university students, focusing on their specific values, learning styles, and expectations.

What central themes are covered in the proposed lecture series?

The lecture covers the "Hidden Champions" strategy, emphasizing competitive advantage, innovation power, customer proximity, unique leadership, and internationalization within the future global economy, termed "Globalia."

Which scientific methods were used in this research?

The author conducted literature research and performed extensive face-to-face interviews with professors and students to identify common educational preferences and areas for improvement in teaching.

What role do "Hidden Champions" play in this concept?

Hidden Champions serve as the practical, real-world subject matter that grounds theoretical knowledge and provides relevant business examples to make lectures more engaging and applicable for MBA students.

Which teaching tools are integrated into the concept?

The concept integrates five key tools: case studies, guest lectures, "Think-Pair and Share" exercises, "One-Minute" papers for reflection, and gamified quizzes to incentivize attendance and performance.

How does the concept address the "Less is more" principle in presentations?

Based on Jerry Weissmann's approach, the presentations minimize text on slides (max four bullet points) and use visual aids, boxes, and graphics to maintain student attention and clarity.

How does the concept attempt to mitigate student cheating in quizzes?

The author acknowledges cheating as a challenge and suggests that competitive elements, bonus points for exams, and clear rules are essential to encourage participation while minimizing dishonest behavior.