Enhancing complex thinking through active learning:a case study in a senior management course at a business school

Abstract

This article reflects on the opportunities and challenges in developing university students' complex thinking competencies in a senior management course with active-learning strategies at a Mexican Business School. Such strategies ensure a pathway to acquiring competencies and, thus, new opportunities to trigger knowledge and inquisitive attitudes. This study'spopulation sample had 48 graduate students between 25 and 30 years old attending a private Business School in Mexico. Thirty-one percent of the respondents were female, and 69% were male. The study employed a mixed methods approach [26] which combines quantitative and qualitative methods. The results revealed a significant opportunity to emphasize the development of innovative thinking and scientific thinking in future CEO training so that they can impact their organizations based on scientific evidence and improve their processes and services. The pathway to 21st-century skills relies on academia developing business competencies within a new framework that leverages students' complex thinking skills.