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The Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education
Factors Contributing to the Success of Undergraduate Business Students in Management Science Courses
Robert G. Brookshire
Computer Information Systems/Operations Management Program
MSC 0202
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
540.568.3064
Susan W. Palocsay
Computer Information Systems/Operations Management Program
MSC 0202
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
540.568.3061
Abstract
The introductory management science (MS) course has historically been recognized as one of the most difficult core courses in the business school curriculum. This study uses multiple regression to examine the factors that contribute to the success of undergraduate business students in an MS course, based on data gathered from the college transcripts and academic files of 310 students. The results suggest that the strongest predictive variable is a student’s college grade point average, indicating that overall academic performance to date has more influence than mathematical skills on the outcomes in MS classes. These findings have implications for faculty who desire to improve the effectiveness of instruction for their MS students.
