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Center for International Business Education and Research C I B E R N E W S |
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Center for International Business Education and Research C I B E R N E W S |
17 November, 1997 Volume 8, Number 4
| Did you know? The 1998 American Marketing Association Eighteenth Faculty Consortium on International Marketing will be held 11-15 July at the Kellogg Conference Center on the campus of Michigan State University. |
Faculty Profile: Amy Hillman
The Center for International Business Education and Research is happy to have Dr. Amy Hillman, Assistant Professor in the Management Department, on the faculty here at MSU. Dr. Hillman, who came to MSU last year from Texas A & M University, has previously taught courses in International Business, Strategic Management, and Business-Government Relations at Trinity University, Johannes Kepler University (Linz, Austria), and Texas A & M. Currently she teaches a doctoral seminar in Strategic Management (MGT 910), and will soon be teaching International Management to students in the MBA program. Asked why she chose to come to MSU, Hillman replied that "MSU CIBER's commitment to international research" played a large role in the decision. Hillman worked with the CIBER at Texas A & M while doing dissertation research on multinational's political strategies, and she wanted to be part of an institution that promoted international research projects. Hillman's own research interests lie primarily in international strategic management and competitive positioning, with her work focused on the strategic shaping of market competition through business-government interaction. Hillman has been active professionally in Europe, including Belgium, Austria, and the Czech Republic. In Brussels, she worked with the EU Mission Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce (which represents over 120 large US multinational corporations operating within the EU) to uncover information about political strategies used in the EU and the structure and implementation of global issue-management strategy. Hillman has also been a guest professor at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria, were she was awarded a research fellowship last summer. In Prague, she conducted management development seminars in strategy and organizational change in the emerging market economy of the Czech Republic. After outlining the present political situation in Mexico, Chavez offered some recommendations for Michigan businesses hoping to increase trade with Mexico. He suggested U.S. firms participate in trade missions, and work with organizations such as the Michigan Jobs commission. He also cautioned companies to identify and recognize the importance of regionalism in Mexico, and to prepare for cross-cultural challenges. Originally from Texas, Dr. Hillman is now bracing herself for her second winter here in Michigan. And when she's not hard at work in her office, you might find her keeping warm by running at the Michigan Athletic Club. She needn't worry, though, only four months to go until Spring! CIBER News Seeks Information
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On 30 October, John Fernie, Director of the Institute for Retail Studies at the University of Stirling (Scotland), spoke on "Retail Logistics: International Comparisons" at MSU. His speech focused on the grocery industry sector, and included an analysis of U.S. retailers and their counterparts in Europe. Logistical environments were analyzed, including intensity of price competition and varying rates of adoption of information technology, especially EDI usage. This presentation was cosponsored by MSU CIBER and Merchandising Management.
This May, several opportunities for faculty wishing to study overseas will be available. These include trips to Japan, Mexico, and a tour of Asia.
The International Association for Management Education (AACSB) is sponsoring their 5th in a series of faculty study tours to Japan entitled "Japan in Transition" 31 May-11 June 1998. The program is designed to provide an opportunity to learn about Japanese business and cultural affairs. The primary objective of the tour is to stimulate curricular development that incorporates Japan in business programs.
A total of ten faculty members will be selected to participate in the 12-day tour. All expenses are covered by the Keizai Koho Center, a non-profit organization designed to promote understanding of Japan's economy and society. Interested faculty should contact Tamie Phetteplace at 432-4320 for an application form. The deadline for application materials is 15 December. Questions about the tour can also be directed to Professor Sue Haka, a past MSU participant, at 432-2920.
The Center for International Business Education and Research at Texas A & M University are sponsoring two trips this May as part of its Faculty Development in International Business Program. The first, cosponsored by the University of Hawaii at Manoa, will include a tour of Hawaii, Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou. It will feature seminars on Asian business practices, and explore issues related to international business and economic development in East Asia. Meetings with Asian business executives, educators, goverment officials and MNCs will be arranged along with several plant visits in those countries to obtain a firsthand feel of the business environment and practice in Asia.
The second Texas A & M CIBER tour (cosponsored by Purdue University, San Diego State University, and the University of Memphis) will be a trip to Mexico scheduled for 19-29 May 1998. The tour includes visits to Monterrey, Puebla, and Mexico City. It will feature seminars on Mexican business and cultural issues, and meetings will include executives from various business firms and educators from several universities. Plant visits will provide a firsthand look at the business environment.
The cost for the trip to Asia is $3900, and a CIBER fellowship is available for $900 to help cover expenses. The trip to Mexico runs $1800, with a $500 fellowship available. For more information about the CIBER-sponsored tours and fellowships, contact Texas A & M's Center for International Business Studies at (409) 845-5234.
The Japan Center for Michigan Universities will sponsor "Management for the Japanese Market," a seminar for executives to be held in Japan 16-24 May 1998. The program will use an interactive lecture format, industry-focused break-out groups, specialist facilitators, guest speakers and company visits to provide executives the background to make key decisions regarding mode of entry to Japan, or to assess current strategies for firms already engaged in business there. The seminar will also benefit investors with interests in Japanese firms, as well as government officials with portfolios that include Asia. For more information about this program, please contact Coordinator John Hazewinkel at (517) 355-4654.
MSU CIBER helped sponsor the participation of Dr. Paulette Stenzel, Professor of Business, Law and Public Policy, in the ISO 14000 Legal Issues Forum in Washington, D.C. 16-17 September. The Forum's purpose was to assist industry leaders in making informed choices concerning the ISO 14000 Series International Environmental Management Standards and in structuring and carrying out environmental management systems. Stenzel's role included contributing academic perspectives to the discussions, and was an extension of her position as vice-chairperson of the International Environmental Law Subcommittee.
On 11 November, Dr. Willie D. Davis addressed members of the Greater Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce's International Business Forum. The Forum features monthly luncheon meetings for the area international business community. The Forum is co-sponsored by MSU CIBER.
Dr. Davis is the founder of the greater Lansing Minority Business Association, and is the president and CEO of DIANEX, Ltd., an investment and international trade firm. He is also president of The Davis Complex, which specializes in cultural awareness and health consultation for various agencies.
Davis discussed West Africa, including economic opportunities in Lansing's newest sister city Akuapim South District (in Ghana), a relationship established by Governor Engler in early November. He was accompanied by members of a delegation from Ghana, in town to promote the new linkage.
Davis stated that Ghana's overall policy is now "trade rather than aid." He spoke of the country's recent financial restructuring to promote private sector development and their goal of attracting increased foreign investment. He highlighted the lumber and mining industries there, as well as the importance of agri-business and textiles.
Describing Ghana as "the gateway to W. Africa," Davis discussed some of the country's recent successes, such as the presence of a Ghanaian mining company on the New York Stock Exchange. He also promoted a fruit juice and bottled water company that was in Lansing looking for U.S. distributors.
The economic ties to be forged with the new sister city of Akuapim are just a part of the exchanges that will also occur in the areas of health, culture, and education. We welcome our new partner, and thank Dr. Davis for his role in promoting business opportunities there.
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The Eli Broad Graduate School of Management International Business CenterMichigan State University Eppley Center 645 N. Shaw Ln Rm 7 East Lansing, MI 48824-1121 USA Exec Director's Office N356 North Business Complex Tel (517) 432-4320 FAX (517) 432-4222 IBC Office Eppley Center 645 N. Shaw Ln Rm 7 East Lansing, MI 48824-1121 Tel (517) 353-4336 FAX (517) 423-1009 http://ciber.bus.msu.edu |
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