2022 EDSIG Proceedings: Abstract Presentation

Exploring the Uses of Microsoft Excel® in the Business Curriculum

Carrie Trimble
Millikin University

RJ Podeschi
Millikin University

Since 2012, hundreds of new degree programs in data science have been created to meet the demand for data scientists in the workplace (Davenport and Patil, 2022). In that timeframe, job postings for data scientists have increased by 265% and the percentage of employers looking for job candidates, across the board, with analytical or quantitative skills has grown to 78% (NACE, 2022). Furthermore, Geiger (2015) notes that 78% of middle-skilled jobs require skills in Microsoft ExcelŽ. The recognition that employers want most of their employees to have analytical skills means that data analysis needs to be taught across a business curriculum and not just in a silo of a data science degree program.

Historically, business programs have commonly incorporated data analysis and the commonly used spreadsheet tool, Microsoft ExcelŽ (McCloskey and Bussom, 2011). Formby et al. (2017) performed an exploratory study to identify the need for Microsoft ExcelŽ skills as well as the specific skills within the software that were most important to employers. In an examination of where Excel was being used in the business school curriculum among AACSB schools. McCloskey and Bussom (2011) found that students were addressing computer literacy using ExcelŽ through a course within or outside the business school and that there was evidence of its use in some upper-level courses within specific majors (e.g. accounting, finance, information systems). However, they did not find a consensus of Excel being reinforced in upper-level required business courses. Fewer than 50% of schools surveyed had an advanced course in problem solving using ExcelŽ. This poses a problem whereby students are learning the tool in their first year, but they are not using the tool repeatedly to solve different business-related problems. One possible barrier to reinforcing ExcelŽ skills throughout the business school curriculum is that it is less likely to be taught or reinforced in a course when the faculty member is not confident in their Excel abilities.

With the increased focus on quantitative skills by the majority of employers in the last decade, has the emphasis on data skills in business school curricula shifted since 2011 to include data analysis and data tools like Microsoft ExcelŽ become more pervasive? The purpose of this research is two-fold. First, the researchers want to determine the current state of inclusion of business analytics into a business school curriculum and what tools are most commonly used. Additionally, the research should inform business schools on how best to map Microsoft ExcelŽ and business analytics skills across business school curricula. This research invites other business schools to participate in gathering data to assess the current state of Microsoft ExcelŽ skills across business school courses.

References
Davenport, T., & Patil, D.F. (2022, July 15). Is Data Scientist Still the Sexiest Job of the 21st Century? Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/ 2022/07/is-data-scientist-still-the-sexiest-job-of-the-21st-century
Formby, S., Medlin, B., & Ellington, V. (2017). Microsoft ExcelŽ: Is It An Important Job Skill for College Graduates? Information Systems Education Journal. 15(3), pp. 55-63.
Geiger, B. (2015, March 6). Your Excel skills could land you your next job. http://fortune.com/2015/03/06/microsoft-excel-jobs/
McCloskey, D. W., & Bussom, L. B. (2011). Using Excel in Business Curricula: An Opportunity to Combine Student Engagement with Active Learning. Proceedings of the Northeast Business & Economics Association.
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). (2022). Development and Validation of the NACE Career Readiness Competencies. Retrieved from https://www.naceweb.org

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