UCI Paul Merage School of Business Strategic Plan

UCI Paul Merage School of Business 2022-2025 Strategic Plan

Our Key Principles The mission and vision of the Merage School are built around two key principles which are ingrained in all that we do:

1.

Leadership for a Digitally Driven World The Merage School will be a world-leading institution in the development of leaders who have a better understanding of competitive environments and the challenges and opportunities that managers face due to digital technologies.

2.

Inclusive Excellence The Merage School will transform the business landscape by increasing the participation of individuals from all communities in business and entrepreneurial activities.

Our Strategic Pillars Successful execution of our two principles is built upon three strategic pillars: World leading academic research: We view the contribution of rigorously tested innovative insights as one of our key contributions to society and a substantive basis for why stakeholders seek to engage with us.

Innovative curriculum and pedagogy: We aim to develop educational programs that provide students access to our world class research in an applied and relevant manner that enhances their

knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as their cognitive perspectives.

Impactful engagement with external organizations: In order to enhance the relevance and applicability of our activities we seek to partner with organizations (e.g., business, government, and not-for-profit) to co-create research activities and educational programs.

Strategic Focus Looking Forward To evolve in our approach towards research, teaching and external engagement and to guide the School towards its vision, our plan focuses on five strategic initiatives:

Enhance the Distinctiveness and Competitiveness of the Merage School

Increase the Diversity of the Business Technology Ecosystem

Our Strategic Initiatives

Enhance the Digital Technology Capability within the Merage School

Research that Addresses the Management and Societal Challenges Associated with the Impact of Technology on Companies and their Industries

Reimagine our Degree and Non-Degree Offerings to Meet Evolving Market Needs

1

Enhance the Distinctiveness and Competitiveness of the Merage School

Key to our principle of “leadership for a digitally driven world” is to differentiate the Merage School from its competitors by offering programs and a curriculum that provide students and executives with an understanding of how existing and new digital technologies are transforming markets and the way in which companies compete. To deliver on this value proposition, faculty need the requisite resources and business connections to stay abreast of how digital technologies are influencing the way in which businesses are managed.1 The aim in this domain is to deliver the following outcomes for the Merage School: Deepen the engagement of external partners in the development and delivery of the Merage School’s curriculum and extra-curriculum activities to create distinctive student experiences.

Increase student applications to Master and PhD programs.

Increase student placement rates.

Improve and maintain the Merage School’s program rankings to be among the Top 50 U.S. business schools.

1 This domain aligns with “UCI Bright Past. Brilliant Future” strategic goals 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, and 3.3.

2

Research that Addresses the Management and Societal Challenges Associated with the Impact of Technology on Companies and their Industries

Key to the Merage School’s competitive differentiation is having world-renowned faculty and research that informs executives and policy makers on the management and societal challenges associated with digital technologies.

Maintaining a world-class research environment is key to achieving this outcome.2 The aim in this domain is to deliver the following outcomes for the Merage School: Recruit world-class faculty through targeted faculty cluster hires in areas that support the Merage School’s strategic focus on technology and inclusive excellence. Priorities are fintech, artificial intelligence, ESG and health care.

Increase the amount and impact of Merage School research published in top rated journals.

Attract and retain faculty by creating a research environment that provides the resources (e.g., access to datasets, technology, research staff support) and flexibility needed to conduct world-class research.

Increase faculty and PhD student research funded by government, not-for-profit and industry partners.

Expand media coverage of Merage School research.

3

Reimagine our Degree and Non-Degree Offerings to Meet Evolving Market Needs

The competitive marketplace requires adapting the programs that we offer to address what companies and students require. The delivery of programs also requires greater flexibility in terms of mode of delivery (e.g. inperson, hybrid, online) and structure (e.g. modular).3 The aim in this domain is to deliver the following outcomes for the Merage School: Develop new/novel program structures to meet market demand.

Expand the use of technology in delivering educational programs (e.g., distance learning, databases, software.

Ensure that the curriculum is engaging and relevant to a diverse student body.

Strengthen faculty capabilities in teaching these new modalities.

Enhance staff capabilities to improve program management and delivery.

2 This domain aligns with “UCI Bright Past. Brilliant Future” strategic goals 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, and 3.5.

3 This domain aligns with “UCI Bright Past. Brilliant Future” strategic goals 1.4, 2.5.

4

Enhance the Digital Technology Capability within the Merage School

For the Merage School to provide leadership for the digitally driven world the school itself must successfully undergo a digital transformation. This means rethinking how we use technology and data to execute all aspects of our internal operations including: administrative functions, research, teaching, student services and external engagement functions.4 The aim in this domain is to deliver the following desired outcomes for the Merage School: Strengthen professional staff skill sets in the use of digital technologies.

Enhance the Merage School’s operational efficiency through more effective application of data analytics and automation.

Deepen the Merage School’s engagement with external stakeholders.

Increase staff engagement and productivity by optimizing remote-working options for staff.

5

Increase the Diversity of the Business Technology Ecosystem.

Key to the Merage School’s principle of “inclusive excellence” is expanding the pathways available for traditionally under-represented communities to thrive in the domain of business and technology. This means creating innovative initiatives that remove barriers for individuals to pursue employment in technology-related business roles, start technology-based businesses, receive funding/investment for their businesses and serve as investors and directors for technology-related firms. Forming cross-sector partnerships is critical for the successful implementation of these initiatives and the expansion of the Merage School’s social impact.5 The aim in this domain is to deliver the following desired outcomes for the Merage School: Create a student body that is proportionally representative of California in terms of gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status.

Achieve student success parity across the categories of gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

Expand the number and social impact of non-degree training programs that support the up-skilling of current professionals and entrepreneurs in technology- and businessrelated skill sets.

Increase the Merage School’s level of philanthropic support which can help underwrite student scholarships, new research projects, and initiatives designed to achieve inclusive excellence.

4 This domain aligns with “UCI Bright Past. Brilliant Future” strategic goals 2.3, 4.3 and 4.5.

5 This domain aligns with “UCI Bright Past. Brilliant Future” strategic goals 2.1, 2.2, 2.5, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and 4.2.

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