The power of nascency: realizing the potential of service‐learning in an unscripted future

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review – from the perspective of nascent academic practitioners – the promise and challenges of service‐learning as an instructional methodology. The paper is contextualized in terms of preparing students of business and management with the requisite skills for coping and thriving in the unknowns of the unscripted future.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is a review of the context of the unscripted future and the considerations involved in determining the viability and appropriateness of service‐learning from the perspective of faculty who have not previously used this approach.

Findings

Although there are numerous challenges and considerations involved in the use of service‐learning, particularly for faculty members who are new to this instructional method, thoughtful perseverance and attention to the issues inherent to this teaching tool can yield a powerful approach that is well‐suited to meeting the learning needs of students facing an unscripted future.

Originality/value

The paper provides not only a literature review of the current thinking in the service‐learning domain but also a set of resources relevant to the topic from the perspective of a nascent practitioner. The paper is designed to illustrate the unique challenges and strengths of faculty members who are considering implementing service‐learning in a management or organizational sciences course.

Citation

Hrivnak, G.A. and Sherman, C.L. (2010), "The power of nascency: realizing the potential of service‐learning in an unscripted future", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 18 No. 2, pp. 198-215. https://doi.org/10.1108/19348831011046263