Intercultural Competence and Global Learning Through COIL: Evidence from an Experiential MBA Model in Latin America

This study examines the implementation of a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experience and its contribution to the development of intercultural competence (IC) and global learning in Master of Business Administration (MBA) education. Conducted with MBA students from Peru and Colombia, the study integrates COIL with pitch-style presentations, analytical rubrics, and guided intercultural reflection to foster experiential, collaborative, and evidence-informed learning. Using an exploratory descriptive design, it combines quantitative data from the validated COIL-I Questionnaire with qualitative thematic analysis of students’ reflective comments. The results revealed: (a) strengthened intercultural and collaborative competencies; (b) enhanced communication, analytical, and reflective skills fostered through interaction between students assigned to presenter and evaluator roles; (c) meaningful integration of sustainability through projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and (d) increased motivation toward internationalization and lifelong learning. Participants’ comments suggest that differentiated roles and shared assessment criteria provided opportunities for comparative evaluation and intercultural reflection. The study contributes to international business education by providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of a COIL experience in MBA education and by deriving an evidence-informed COIL-Based Experiential Model that may inform adaptation and further testing in other contexts. Its implementation in the Global South, particularly within the context of emerging economies in Latin America, together with the integration of SDG-oriented projects, extends current knowledge on inclusive internationalization, intercultural competence, and sustainability-oriented management education.