International

BLIC

Welcome to BLIC - Blended Learning International Cooperation

The BLIC Concept

The essential idea of the BLIC approach is for students to experience realistic international business settings in the classroom. Students are trained to identify factors that drive the success of international businesses. Based on teaching the necessary theory and applying real world case studies, students learn to cope with international business needs and to appreciate the impact of cultural aspects.  Modular and flexible assignments are tailored to the curriculum of participating universities, keeping a low threshold for participating. The entry-level course is called “Go Global I” (see video below). Variations thereof are always based on the same concept, allowing the number of involved parties to be increased as necessary.  Other possible variations might involve focussing on specific topics such as marketing, finance or increased face-to-face time. Working on different levels of the program such as courses, cohorts and international or local teams, enriches the learning experience. The team structure is a vital part of the learning concept. It provides intense opportunities to gain unique learning experiences based on collaborative skills.

 
 

 

 

BLIC Concept Video

BLIC Innovation

Why do we need innovative learning approaches?

Major trends associated with globalization such as technological innovations, demographic change, global warming, urbanization and the emergence of a knowledge society are accelerating the momentum of change. New technologies are creating new markets and jobs at a breathtaking pace and, at the same time, ruthlessly destroying existing businesses according to a study by Menn, Voss, Kuhn, Dürand, and Rees from 2014. Working environments are developping continually. Skill sets that empower professionals to benefit from a technology rich work environment, and cultural expertise are no longer 'nice to have' but have become a prerequisite to participate in the global market.

How does BLIC serve as, and represent an important bridge between the industry and higher education?

Universities qualify tomorrow's managers and workforce and thereby serve as important partners for the industry. BLIC addresses and fills the increasing need to integrate innovative learning approaches into the curriculum in order to keep up with the reality of today's business world. In the School of Business at the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW), the BLIC Program goes about creating realistic international business settings in the classroom and combining them with online blended learning elements. The use of digital technologies to communicate with their international counter-parts offers students a variety of opportunities to develop their intercultural competency as well as international communication skills. All communication takes place in the English language, facilitating successful exchanges and emulating the business world of today.

 
 

 

 

BLIC Podcast

 

Going Global – Podcast-Interview:

 

 

In this pod-cast, Angela Brusis, project coordinator in the BLIC program, explains how participating students can immerse themselves in international communication and collaboration via real-life business scenarios and international teams, and so further their skills – thanks to digital technologies in online-teaching – directly from their own lecture rooms in Villingen-Schwenningen.

Within the BLIC Blended Learning International Cooperation program this takes place in an especially authentic and realistic manner.
The working world is constantly changing. Presently, the energy crises, rapidly developing technologies and the opening of new markets pose challenges for future skilled workers and employees. For the BW Cooperative State University in Villingen-Schwenningen this is a cue to integrate innovative teaching and learning approaches into the curriculum and thus enable students to acquire intercultural competencies – a prerequisite to participating in the global market.

BLIC Network

A common idea paired with a pioneering spirit, motivation, and open-mindedness stimulates BLIC members to collaborate in developping and implementing innovative new learning approaches. Challenges such as differing academic calendars and individual university curriculums, on a positive note, can be translated into complementary strengths. Longterm partners interested in enriching relationships strengthen the BLIC network with their individual approaches and input. Networking has produced great research output and publications. The BLIC network welcomes new members worldwide.

BLIC Promotional Video

Publications

Publications & Workshops

• Bleicher, J., Lichtenberger, B., & Núñez, P. (2015, March). COIL Practice Integrated International Management. 7th Collaborative Online International Learning Conference (COIL 2015), State University New York, New York, U.S.A..

• Bleicher, J., Honal, A., Seiler, L., & Bürger, N. (2017, September). Blended Learning International Cooperation Projekt (BLIC). Jahrestagung der Arbeitsgruppe für Empirische Pädagogische Forschung (AEPF), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Deutschland.

• Honal, A. (2017, November) Innovative Business Projects as an Enabler to Enhance Intercultural and Management Skills of Students. International Academy of Management and Business (IAMB), Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

• Bleicher, J., Honal, A., Seiler, L., & Bürger, N. (2018, Januar). Blended Learning International Cooperation Projekt (BLIC). DHBW Forschungstag, Heidenheim, Deutschland.

• Bleicher, J., Honal, A., Seiler, L., & Bürger, N. (2018, June). Blended Learning International Cooperation Projekt (BLIC). Third International Research Symposium World Association for Cooperative Education (WACE), Stuttgart, Deutschland.

• Bleicher, J., Honal, A., & Forrester, P. (2019, August). New Approaches for Using Learning Analytics and Business-related Projects as Learning Enhancers for Students. The 79th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM), Boston, U.S.A..

• Bleicher, J., Honal, A., Forrester, P. Velinov, E., & . T. V. Fridgeirsson (2020, Januar). Blended Learning International Cooperation Projekt (BLIC). DHBW Forschungstag, Mosbach, Deutschland.

• Bleicher, J., Forrester, P., J., Honal, A., & Velinov, E. (2020, November). Cross-cultural and virtual teamworking in the classroom. Reflections on the Blended Learning International Cooperation (BLIC) Programme. Virtual symposium conducted at Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, UK.

Professional Articles & Book Contributions

• Bleicher, J., Honal, A., Seiler, L., Bürger, N.,  Forrester, P. L., Wakeham, M. (2017): „Innovative Business Projects as an Enabler to Enhance Intercultural and Management Skills of Students“, Conference Paper of the IAMB 2017, Dubai (VAE).

• Bleicher, J., Honal, A., Jaensch, A., & Forrester, P. (2019): „New Approaches for Using Learning Analytics and Business-related Projects as Learning Enhancers for Students“, Conference Paper of the AOM 2019, Boston / Massachusetts (USA).

• Bleicher, J., Forrester, P., Honal, A., & Velinov, E. (2019). Virtual Business Projects in the Classroom: Enhancing Intercultural and Business Skills of Students. In The Palgrave Handbook of Learning and Teaching International Business and Management (pp. 747-768). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.

• Forrester P, Velinov E, Bleicher J. The Effect of Distributed Leadership in the Relationship between Flat Organization Structure and Company Performance.

• Bleicher, J., Forrester, P., Honal, A., & Velinov, E. (2021). Creating and Managing International Virtual Teams of Students in Management Education. In Creating and Managing International Virtual Teams of Students in Management Education. IGI Global Information Science Reference, Hershey.

• Velinov, E. (2019, December). The effect of distributed leadership in the relationship between flat organization structure and company performance. 45th EIBA Annual Conference 2019 European International Business Academy, Leeds, UK.

Funding

 

Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students

The Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students is a program established by the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung and supports the international exchange of students and vocationally qualified people/young professionals. Since 2001, it has enabled more than 20,000 young people from Baden-Württemberg to spend some time abroad and allowed scholarship holders from other countries to get to know Baden-Württemberg. Each year more than 1,000 young people receive a Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students.
(www.bw-stipendium.de)

Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students – BWS plus

Through the programme Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students – BWS plus, the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung supports innovative joint projects between universities from Baden-Württemberg and their international partners. The programme, which provides funding of around 800,000 euros per year, began in 2011 and since then has supported more than 50 projects.

Baden-Württemberg Stiftung

The Baden-Württemberg Stiftung advocates a vital Baden-Württemberg with a high quality of life. It helps pave the way for top-class research, many kinds of educational measures and responsible dealings with our fellow man. The Baden-Württemberg Stiftung is one of the major foundations in Germany. It is the only foundation which invests exclusively and without partisanship in the future of Baden-Württemberg, and thus in the future of its citizens. (www.bwstiftung.de)

Kontakt

"Prof. Jürgen Bleicher"

Prof. Jürgen Bleicher

"Angela Brusis"

Angela Brusis