Spatial Business Initiative – School of Business & Society

SPATIAL BUSINESS INITIATIVE

A cutting edge partnership with Esri®

ENABLING BUSINESS SUCCESS THROUGH LOCATION ANALYTICS

The Spatial Business Initiative is a unique partnership between the University of Redlands School of Business & Society and Esri, the global leader in geographic information systems (GIS) and location intelligence. The partnership aims to maximize the understanding and effectiveness of GIS in business through education, research, publications, and consulting.

ADVANCING INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF LOCATION INTELLIGENCE

The initiative is advancing a wide array of projects at the intersection of GIS and business. These include:

DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AT REDLANDS

• MBA with a concentration in Location Analytics . The University of Redlands offers a one-of-a-kind MBA with a concentration in Location Analytics. Graduates will be prepared to use the power of location analytics to solve

“Esri is proud to be a part of this ground-breaking initiative. Education has always been an important part of our mission. The business world is increasingly relying on spatial data today to make better-informed decisions, so it is more important than ever that students have a foundation in location intelligence.”

—Jack Dangermond Esri founder and president

complex business problems, improve strategic decisionmaking, and garner deep locational insight to optimize the organizational value chain.

• Master of Science in Business Analytics . The M.S. in Business Analytics (MSBA) can give you the edge you need to succeed in a data-driven economy. Harnessing the power of business analytics can help you create meaningful insights and make strategic, ethical decisions that will enhance your organization and your career.

• Business Location Analytics Certificate . This three-course graduate online certificate program can help you gain valuable skills in GIS and location analytics in a short period of time. Learn the power of mapping demographic trends to enhance your business decision-making and visual storytelling skills.

SCHOLARSHIPS

• In collaboration with Esri, the School of Business & Society offers several scholarships to support developing a diverse pipeline of talented professionals for successful careers in spatial business. These include the Esri-UR Women of Color Analytics Scholarship and the Esri-UR Merit Analytics Scholarship.

RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS

• Spatial business book . Spatial Business: Competing and Leading with Location Analytics , published by Esri Press in August 2022, is aimed at professional and business school audiences. The book explores the nature and advantages of using location analytics in business, moving from an overview of the field to specific case studies.

• Multimedia case studies . A series of standalone multimedia case studies elucidating how spatial business can be used in marketing, sales, service, logistics, supply chain, and customer retention is being developed to supplement business school curricula.

• Research projects and conferences . Research projects cover a range of “GIS and Society” topics such as corporate social responsibility, industry cluster development, and new technology platforms. Conferences include running special research events on spatial business and organizing research tracks at major academic conferences.

ADVISORY SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS

• Spatial Business Academy. This immersive and accelerated three-day academy addresses the need for training that blends business knowledge with location analytics. It is offered several times a year and is hosted on both the University of Redlands and Esri campuses in Redlands, California.

• Executive training . The Spatial Business Initiative sponsors executive retreats and workshops for leaders at Esri as well as other businesses and organizations in the private, public, and non-profit sectors.

• Advising . The initiative contributes to the work of Esri’s Business Leadership Forum and acts in other advisory capacities.

• Talent pipeline development . The initiative engages in talent pipeline development, such as assisting other business schools in adopting spatial business-related curriculum and working with companies and organizations to develop career pathways in spatial business.

VISIONARY SPONSORSHIP

The Spatial Business Initiative was founded by a grant from Esri. Other businesses have also contributed through sponsorship of specific events and activities.

DEDICATED LEADERSHIP

Thomas Horan, Senecal Endowed Dean at the University of Redlands School of Business & Society and a member of Esri’s Business Advisory Council, works with Professors James Pick and Avijit Sarkar to direct the initiative through the University of Redlands Center for Spatial Business. A steering committee is comprised of members of both the University of Redlands and Esri communities.

REDLANDS: A LEADER IN SPATIAL EDUCATION

The University of Redlands is a leader in spatial education through the School of Business & Society and the College of Arts and Sciences:

• The School of Business & Society is preeminent in the field with in-depth history and expertise in GIS for business. In addition to offering an MBA with a concentration in Location Analytics, it is the only business school that requires a location analytics course for undergraduates and hosts two GIS for business research enterprises: the Center for Spatial Business (CSB) and the Institute for Spatial Economic Analysis (ISEA).

• The College of Arts and Sciences offers master’s degrees in GIS as well as an undergraduate minor in spatial studies.

• The University of Redlands also hosts the Center for Spatial Studies, which helps integrate spatial thinking and technologies into liberal arts instruction, research, and service throughout the University.

The Spatial Business Initiative welcomes inquiries and partners from the private sector as well as educational institutions interested in promoting location analytics in business. For more information, visit redlands.edu/sbi or email sbi@redlands.edu .

The School of Business & Society offers scholarships and discounts for degree programs, including the MBA and MSBA, to Esri and other corporate partners. For more information on our degree programs, visit business.redlands.edu or email sbsenrollment@redlands.edu .