Succeeding in Emerging and Developing Markets
Understanding How Institutions Impact Firms and Managers

June 3rd-7th, 2008
The George Washington University
Co-Sponsors: Duke University CIBER, Temple University CIBER & University of Maryland CIBER

Workshop Overview

The majority of traditional Western business curriculum is founded on theory and research generated in developed countries, where political, economic, legal, and social institutions generally are formalized, well-developed, and stable.  But MNCs increasingly are setting their sights on developing and emerging countries for future growth potential, where the institutional context is quite different.  In these markets, international institutions play a prominent role, and local institutions are often informal, weakly formalized, in transition—or even non-existent.  This workshop is designed to equip international business educators with an in-depth understanding of how institutions shape the strategies that firms employ and the actions that managers take in developing and emerging countries.  We will explore how weak institutions create particular challenges, such as corruption, political risk, regulatory obstacles, social divisions, and civil strife—and the ways firms and managers can cope with these issues.  We also will examine how non-governmental organizations (NGOs), social entrepreneurs, diaspora communities, and multilateral organizations are striving to strengthen institutions in these markets and how these new institutional forms affect firms and managers. 

Workshop speakers will include representatives from key institutions, such as the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), the US Agency for International Development (USAID); firms and NGOs operating in developing countries; and international business academics conducting cutting-edge research on institutions in developing and emerging countries.  Participants will learn about the institutional realities practioners and policymakers currently are facing in these countries and the latest scholarly research findings in this area.  They also will acquire hands-on experience with various teaching materials, including cases, videos, and in-class and internet exercises, that will help participants better prepare their students for success in developing and emerging markets.  All workshop participants will receive a package of teaching and research resource materials that could be used in a stand alone course or as modules in courses across a wide range of disciplines.  Materials will include articles, cases, videos, in-class and internet exercises, PowerPoint slides, and syllabi.