Enhancing the undergraduate industrial engineering curriculum: Defining desired characteristics and emerging topics

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present the results of an initial research study conducted to identify the desired professional characteristics of an industrial engineer with an undergraduate degree and the emerging topic areas that should be incorporated into the curriculum to prepare industrial engineering (IE) graduates for the future workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to faculty and industry professionals across the USA to describe the desired characteristics and define the important emerging topic areas. The modified three‐round Delphi technique was applied to obtain consensus and ranking of the emerging topics.

Findings

The research findings that identify the desired characteristics and the most important emerging topics to be incorporated into the reengineered curriculum discussed in this paper. Statistical analysis of the results indicates some differences in opinions expressed by persons in academic settings and those working in business and industry.

Originality/value

These research findings have implications for the development of curricula at the international level.

Citation

Eskandari, H., Sala‐Diakanda, S., Furterer, S., Rabelo, L., Crumpton‐Young, L. and Williams, K. (2007), "Enhancing the undergraduate industrial engineering curriculum: Defining desired characteristics and emerging topics", Education + Training, Vol. 49 No. 1, pp. 45-55. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910710729875