Students examined the interaction of business and government in fast-growing Asian economies as part of the International Business graduate course.
By Erin Manchuso '19
Sixteen Elon MBA students led by Haya Ajjan, associate professor of management information systems, and Brian Lyons, associate professor of management, examined the challenges facing developing countries in bridging the gap between rich and poor in times of rapid industrialization.
As part of the International Business graduate course, the group spent time in Ho Chi Minh City and Shanghai exploring the impact of the economic, legal, political and cultural environments on these growing economic powers. Pre-departure coursework included a comprehensive study of the region through several readings, documentaries and a business report addressing a specific global business challenge related to the group's planned company visits.
Prepped with a heightened understanding of the interplay between business and culture, the class set off on Jan. 11 for 10 days of study and exploration. After a long day of travel, students spent their first day in Vietnam wandering the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City and visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, an expansive underground tunnel network constructed during both the French and American wars.
The class then traveled south for a day trip to the flat, verdant planes of the Mekong Delta where much of the country’s rice supply is grown. Students learned about the way of life for the rural Vietnamese farmers and the challenging business outlooks within these smaller communities.
“The culture and the people of Saigon radiate an emotional connection and pride to their history and family that is demonstrated in each business we visited,” noted MBA student Katy Coleman. “Each business we visited, employees spoke of their ‘why,’ – why they work or where their employees come to work from in order to pay for their children to go to public school or to learn English – or how they were the first member of their family to go to business school.
“There were only a small amount of companies that provided employees with an opportunity to be promoted within the business, however the culture of the workplace in Saigon is to stay in the same position and same lifestyle to meet your families needs, however employees come to work recognizing they are lucky to have a position and work their (most common) 12-hour shift knowing they are doing it to provide for their family.”
Students also volunteered with Mekong Quilts, a local nongovernment organization founded in 2001 to create sustainable employment opportunities for underprivileged women in remote and rural regions of Vietnam and Cambodia. Student teams put their international business learnings to the test and worked with the organization to develop strategies to improve its communications, internal efficiency and volunteer base attainment.
During the last days in Vietnam, the class made corporate visits to Swiss Post Solutions, a business process outsourcing and document management firm, where students learned about the nation’s emergence as an IT offshoring destination, and the American outdoor wear retailer, Timberland.
After a four-hour flight, the cohort arrived in Shanghai – China’s economic center. Upon arrival students toured Shanghai’s most popular sites including the botanical garden of the Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Old Town, the Pudong neighborhood, and Shanghai’s financial hub to better grasp the rapid development and modernization the city underwent over the course of the last three decades.
The following days consisted of corporate visits to BBDO China, where students learned about China’s booming e-commerce business and current trends in consumer behavior, and to Apex Tool Group and Glen Raven, where the group was able to tour the companies' manufacturing facilities.
On the final day, the class visited one of the four best-preserved ancient towns in Shanghai, Zhu Jia Jiao. More than 400 years old, this picturesque town boasts a signature five-arch bridge spanning the Cao Gang River and provides glimpses into what life was like in ancient times.
“When you immerse yourself in a new environment you gain an invaluable understanding of the local culture and unique customs that cannot be taught from a textbook or lecture,” MBA student Jason Kemmerer said. “Time spent traveling together can provide excellent networking opportunities and build new relationships with peers from around the world.”
The class completed its exploration of complexities of business in Ho Chi Minh City and Shanghai on Jan. 20.