Business and economics undergo far reaching changes called mega-trends: Globalization, fast long distance communication, innovations in technology as well as corresponding adaption of skill demands and worldwide competition are some of the most important and characteristic features of that development. How can we cope with this situation in vocational education? What are its implications for curricula and for methods of teaching and learning? Based on sophisticated research this volume offers ideas on how to deal with the new problems in the field of vocational education and training. Its main focus is on commercial education. But most of the concepts, strategies and approaches outlined in the 17 chapters can easily be transferred to other fields of secondary and post-secondary vocational education.

The Editor: Klaus Beck was born in 1941; studies in business administration, economics and pedagogics at the Universities of Berlin and Mannheim (1962-1967), graduated with a diploma in business education. Postgraduate studies in educational research, psychology and philosophy at the University of Mannheim; doctoral degree (1975) and habilitation (1985). Professor at Universities of Oldenburg (1982-1986) and Erlangen-Nürnberg (1987-1993). Chair of business education at the University of Mainz (since 1994).