Unique UCSD Program Offers Insight on Doing Business in Asia
08/05/2005
Charles Nguyen,
Asia Journal of Business and Commerce
While it is no secret that international business is booming, a large part of that explosion may be attributed to China.
To cultivate the transnational business mind, and to tap into its potential financial power, the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS) at UCSD is providing one of the only Executive Education programs in the nation focusing exclusively on China this October.
"We are entering the Pacific century," said MyMy Lu, representing the office. "China is attracting over $50 billion annually in direct foreign investment, thousands of U.S. companies are opening both manufacturing and sales operations throughout Asia, major business service providers (law and accounting firms, customs agencies, and business-to-business providers) are establishing significant presence in Asia. All of this means there is growing business interest in international relations in the Pacific basin."
As the American business expands ventures into countries such as China, education in the political, cultural and financial changes in that country will be vital to business success, Lu said. The program "Succeeding in China: Building a Profitable Strategy" will do just that, she said.
"Business executives need a source of up-to-date information on the Pacific region so they can make informed strategic decisions," Lu said. "Most cannot go back to school for a degree. But they can come to highly-focused short courses on key countries and topics."
Several details can make or break a business that operates in China, Lu said, including cultural nuances. The program will teach business executives how to greet Chinese hosts, what to include on business cards, what to expect in negotiating tactics and will even include a formal Chinese banquet at a local restaurant with role playing of how a real banquet would take place. While International Relations is a graduate school for students, this specific program caters to professional executives that are already experienced in business.
"The goal of the IR/PS Executive Education program is to provide extremely high level courses that provide the participants with both an academic overview and real world experiences of business leaders who have operations and experience on the ground in Asia," Lu said. "This is something that an executive cannot get through regular university courses. And the IR/PS focus on the Pacific region is unique among graduate schools of international relations and business schools."
The American business world is becoming ever more concerned with international policy, making education on the topic vital to ensuring a firm financial future, Lu added.
"Firms are increasingly focused on foreign policy issues as they affect their operation," she said. "And they are deeply concerned about internal political and economic risk factors in the Asian countries, such as Chinese currency revaluation, China-Taiwan tensions, North Korean nuclear weapons, Korean restrictions on direct foreign investment, and the stalled Japanese economy - for just a few examples."
The IR/PS program will be taught by world-class academics, business leaders and distinguished consultants. Outside of its Executive Education program, IR/PS is itself a sign of the growing power of Chinese business. The graduate school was founded in the mid-1980s in response to the diversification of Californian businesses. IR/PS offers courses designed to foster interdisciplinary understanding, with special attention to the Pacific region, namely the Americas and Asia.
"Our mission is to provide the students tools so that our executive students can succeed in the Pacific century," Lu said.
