Studying neuroscience
The human brain has often been called the final frontier in science. Studies and research have yet to bring a full understanding of how the mind works, which is one reason why neuroscience is such an intriguing and potential-filled area of study.
Last year, Monash University Malaysia’s School of Business launched a Neurobusiness Laboratory, a sort of “thinking facility” that will help researchers measure brain activity to better understand human behaviour in relation to the workplace, making business decisions and other factors that contribute to the overall economy.
Neurobusiness is a tool that employs core neuroscience principles of how the brain and the central nervous system work, to measure body function and direct behaviour.
This lab attracted two leading researchers to work at the School of Business, Monash University Malaysia. For associate professor Motoki Watabe, working in one of the region’s first neurobusiness labs held great potential for him to further develop his research.
“I’m interested in how people can cooperate with each other. There’s interdependence with others in the workplace, and you need some level of trust. how we can establish trust interpersonally is important to ensure a functional business environment,” said Watabe.
Watabe, who co-authored the book Unpleasant Workplace, said his current project focuses on reputational information.
To investigate this, Watabe intends to use an eye-tracker, a hitech equipment available at the lab.
“The eye-tracker is able to detect changes in the eye and with that, I can obtain information on how people focus on their reputational information to find a better business partner,” he explained.
“Neuroscience opens up many research opportunities, as it helps us to better understand everyday economic behaviours,” said associate professor alexandre Schaefer.
Schaefer, who has a PhD in Cognitive Psychology, said his area of research was focused on consum- er decision making and decisionmaking under uncertainty.
he said he was also keen on using neuroimaging techniques to help marketing strategies.
“You can use neuroscience techniques to predict if people are going to buy or not to buy a product.”
While the lab has been opened for less than a year, Monash University Malaysia is committed to buying even more advanced neuroimaging and behavioural experimental equipment. Both researchers believe that work at the lab will lead to many collaboration possibilities with other schools, as well as with the corporate sector.
For more information, visit www.buseco.monash.edu.my I have heard many say that the path chosen by an entrepreneur is a difficult one. The business environment is harsh and the added uncertainties attributed to an entrepreneur, such as securing funds, make the journey even harder.
even more so for technopreneurs, who have no inkling as to what drives a business.
Together with two other techies, we have had our share of discovering, experimenting and struggling to find a good mix and balance to grow our business.
It is very much like three blind men trying to describe what an elephant looks like. hence, it was logical to try to gain a deeper understanding of how businesses work and acquire the knowledge for guiding a business by learning through an MBa programme.
The search for the right programme involved attending MBa previews, speaking with MBa graduates and looking at syllables.
The University of Strathclyde MBa, with its focus on strategy, suited my requirements perfectly.
Undertaking a part-time MBa almost certainly means making sacrifices when it comes to family and personal time.
While there are many good online MBa programmes that can provide a student with flexible hours, a big part of learning is sharing and engaging with coursemates.
Whether by design or effort of the university or just luck, my coursemates were driven, lively, hardworking, knowledgeable and experts in their own field.
This has definitely enhanced the learning experience and the contacts gained are equally valuable.
The University of Strathclyde MBa provided a good programme that taught me to craft a strategy to handle uncertainties. The course is well-structured and the use of real-life case studies has cemented the learning and fortified the understanding of strategy-making.
I am proud to have studied under the tutelage of first-rate University of Strathclyde lecturers.
My confidence in guiding and steering a business grew with every completed University of Strathclyde MBa module.
This article was shared by 2012 MBa graduate of University of Strathclyde and company director Wong Foot Yow. For details, visit www.cdc.edu.my or call edahani at 03-7660 8950 ext 109.