Business Seminar in China
Highlights & Photos
SUMMER '10 PROGRAM OFFERED TO MBA/MMBA STUDENTS ONLY
Courses are taught in English, primarily by Walton College faculty with guest lectures and international faculty from Fudan University and Northern Jiaotong University.
Classes will be visited by executive speakers from businesses such as Wal-Mart, China. Students will visit multinational companies such as Coca-Cola, Johnson and Johnson, Unilever, Hormel and Chinese companies such as the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
Students will also tour cultural sites such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Hangzhou Gardens, the Summer Palace, Tienanmen Square and Mao's Memorial Hall.
Ni Hao! I spent two weeks in China studying with Dr. Matthew Waller and six other MBA students from the University of Arkansas. We spent ten days in Shanghai and four days in Beijing. This trip was a fabulous learning experience and a lot of fun was had along the way! My two week study abroad experience in China was one of the best learning experiences I've had. Not only was I able to visit and explore a new place and culture, I learned a lot about myself personally and professionally.
At my company, we are constantly reminded to keep the consumer first, and I think this same thought applies when learning how to do business in a new country, especially China. A company operating in China cannot simply reapply the success they've had elsewhere to China. The company and its employees operating in the country must first take the time to understand the culture, history, and the people of China in order to be successful. They must be willing to adapt their business model to fit and attract the Chinese consumer. I don't think it's possible to do this without knowledge of Chinese history and culture.
The next key consideration for any company in China is government relations. Due to its complex history and tight governmental control, a company's potential success depends on strong government relations and the understanding of "guanxi" and how to navigate thru the government bureacracy. The employees that a company selects to operate in China must also have certain personality traits. They must be flexible and willing to learn. China is constantly changing, and a company must be willing to adapt to these changes quickly.
China is an amazing country with a fascinating history. I look forward to continuing to watch the changes that occur over time and how they continue to change how they interact with and influence the world.
Comments by Ellie Miller, participant, summer 2009
Check out Sheila Burkhalter’s short video to get a quick feel for the trip!
Summer 2010 Flyer
Leadership for the program comes from the Sam M. Walton College of Business.
Want to know more? Click on the links above to find out all the program details and application information.