Open AccessEconomic Modeling in SocialWork Education
Author(s) -
Barry R. Cournoyer,
Gerald T. Powers,
James Turner Johnson,
Robert J. Bennett
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
advances in social work
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2331-4125
pISSN - 1527-8565
DOI - 10.18060/21
Subject(s) - relation (database) , work (physics) , social work , economic model , service (business) , economic analysis , engineering management , business , computer science , public relations , management science , engineering , marketing , economics , political science , economic growth , mechanical engineering , database , agricultural economics , macroeconomics
Economic modeling provides academic administrators with a logicalframework for analyzing costs associated with the processes involved in the deliveryof social work education. The specific costs associated with activities such as teaching,research, and service may be determined for a school of social work as a whole orfor specific responsibility centers (e.g., programs and services within the school).Economic modeling utilizes modern spreadsheet software that can be configured inrelation to the idiosyncratic needs and budgeting strategies that exist in virtually allcolleges and universities. As a versatile planning tool, it enables managers to identifyspecific “cost-drivers” that cause the occurrence of real costs in relation to designatedprogrammatic initiatives. In addition, economic modeling provides academic plannersand decision-makers a useful vehicle for considering the economic impact ofvarious projected (“what if”) scenarios.