Abstract
The purpose of the paper is to identify benefits and challenges for businesses serving as hosts
for business students involved in work integrated learning (WIL) initiatives. A student and
educator perspective on WIL targeting businesses is also identified. A literature review is
applied for analyzing work integrated learning in a business perspective. This perspective is
supplied with statistical data from a survey of business students and business educators
revealing the extent and relevance of connectedness to businesses within curriculum and
learning process. Four gaps between business schools and businesses are identified, which
should be closed for a successful WIL. These are related to institutional support systems, the
student mentor at the business school versus the host firm mentor, the student versus the host
firm mentor/business peers, and gaps between curriculum and business cases/tasks. The
findings have primarily implications for the business school both on institutional level and on
mentor level. It is assumed that WIL has a marginal focus within businesses unless students are
directly contributing in solving real business problems. Literature employing a business
perspective on WIL is limited, and calls for further empirical research in order to design realistic
and relevant WIL assignment in a business context.