Creating an Analytics Program that Transformed a College of Business

Abstract

There continues to be a critical, unmet need for managers, executives, and new hires who are aware of the power, promise, and limitations of business analytics and applied artificial intelligence. Universities have moved quickly to address these needs, but with varying degrees of success. This paper describes a design science approach to developing a novel business analytics program from scratch. We created an overall Business Analytics context, and then identified, developed, and evaluated Business Analytics Artifacts (BAAs) within that context. These artifacts were assembled, modified, added-to, and/or eliminated to create a comprehensive graduate and undergraduate business analytics program that addresses current business needs as well as future advances in analytics through applied artificial intelligence. This program had the unforeseen effect of transforming a College of Business to a College of Business and Analytics.