Social Capital Analysis for Crummer Graduate School of Business – MBA Program

Step 1: Context Analysis

  • Mission and Program Overview:
    • The Crummer MBA program at Rollins College is designed to prepare innovative leaders through a personalized, experiential, and entrepreneurial approach to business education.
    • The program emphasizes global perspective, community engagement, and lifelong learning, aligning with its mission to develop leaders who impact society positively.
  • Key Features:
    • Executive Mentorship Program: Provides students with access to experienced business leaders for guidance and professional development.
    • Team-Based Learning: Collaborative projects encourage relationship-building and leadership skills.
    • Community-Centric Initiatives: Engagement with local businesses and community organizations creates opportunities for applied learning and meaningful impact.
    • Global Reach: International learning experiences expand students’ networks and foster global social capital.
  • Community and Culture:
    • A tight-knit cohort structure fosters trust, collaboration, and long-term relationships among peers and faculty.
    • Strong integration with the local Orlando business community enhances students’ professional networks.

Step 2: Content Analysis

  • Explicit Mention of Social Capital Themes:
    • Mentorship Opportunities: Executive Mentorship Program facilitates trust and professional guidance, emphasizing strong node positioning.
    • Collaborative Learning: Team-based projects promote trust, cooperation, and shared values.
    • Community Engagement: Partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits demonstrate a commitment to societal-level social capital.
  • Implicit Demonstration of Social Capital Values:
    • Reciprocity: The program fosters mutually beneficial relationships between students and local organizations.
    • Professional Networks: Emphasis on mentorship and experiential learning provides pathways for career growth and professional collaboration.
    • Diversity in Learning: Global learning opportunities highlight the importance of cross-cultural understanding and inclusive networks.
  • Key Social Capital Variables Observed:
    • Trust-Cooperation Complex: Team-based learning and mentorship programs create an environment of mutual trust.
    • Voluntary Association: Opportunities for community engagement and student organization participation enhance social connections.
    • Global Perspective: International experiences build cross-cultural social capital.

Step 3: Meta-Analysis Insights

  • Strengths:
    • The mentorship program is a strong differentiator, fostering professional and emotional connections.
    • Integration of community projects and partnerships enhances societal impact and local social capital.
    • A focus on global learning experiences broadens students’ understanding and networks.
  • Gaps:
    • Greater emphasis on alumni engagement could strengthen professional networks further.
    • Explicit initiatives targeting emotional social capital, such as storytelling or shared experience programs, could add depth to interpersonal relationships.

Preliminary Social Capital Score:

  • Website Accessibility and Clarity (9/10): Clear and user-friendly, with detailed descriptions of programs and initiatives.
  • Explicit Mention of Social Capital Themes (25/30): Strong focus on mentorship, community engagement, and teamwork.
  • Implicit Demonstration of Social Capital Values (24/30): The program integrates collaboration and reciprocity effectively.
  • Innovation in Social Capital Development (15/20): Mentorship and community engagement are standout features; alumni and emotional capital initiatives could be expanded.
  • Community Engagement and Alumni Integration (8/10): Local business partnerships are strong; greater alumni presence would enhance professional capital.
  • Total Score: 81/100

Recommendations for Crummer MBA Program:

  1. Strengthen Alumni Networks: Develop more structured alumni-student interaction programs, such as industry-specific mentorship or networking events.
  2. Enhance Emotional Capital Initiatives: Introduce workshops or activities focused on storytelling and personal development to deepen interpersonal bonds.
  3. Expand Cross-Cultural Opportunities: Incorporate more diverse international exchange programs or virtual collaborations with global MBA cohorts.

Promote Impactful Outcomes: Highlight success stories from mentorship and community engagement programs to attract prospective students and partners.