Barton School to offer e-business emphasis
By Amy Geiszler-Jones
Wichita State’s W. Frank Barton School of Business will begin offering an e-business track within its business administration program this fall.
"Technology is reshaping the way we do business," said Gerald Graham, dean of the Barton School. "To be a leading business school, we have to address the e-business phenomenon."
Within the past few years business schools nationwide have started offering programs in e-business, which refers to any process that an organization conducts over a computer-mediated network, and e-commerce, which refers to transactions for goods and services done over a computer-mediated network.
Programs are ranging from areas of emphasis within an established degree to full-fledged undergraduate and graduate degrees. WSU students will receive a bachelor of business administration degree with an emphasis in e-business.
Graham said he discovered "intense interest" in e-business from discussions with employers of WSU business graduates and with other business deans.
In the fall, Jim Clark, an economics faculty member, offered an experimental course in the economics of e-commerce and about 75 students enrolled.
Barton School faculty will continue to explore other options of e-business offerings, including a minor or major in e-business, graduate emphasis or emphases within other majors, Graham said.
