‘What the student does’ Undergraduate business students in group work: A narrative study of learner experiences

Abstract

Australian undergraduate business education consists of a diverse student cohort. Employers of these students, highly desire skills which are encompassed under the generic banner of teamwork. Group work is a common teaching method utilised to develop teamwork skills. When this framework is analysed through organisational behaviour theory, it reveals gaps in theory and practical reality. By eliciting the students’ stories, my narrative research sought to understand ‘what the student does’ when group work is used to develop teamwork skills. The stories of Australian domestic and Chinese international undergraduate students were investigated. My research has shown through a combined literature lens that leadership will influence group process events, and the acquisition of teamwork skills.