MBA International Study Tour

In 2010, students have the opportunity to take part in an annual study tour abroad that takes place in September. The itinerary includes lecture programmes at leading business schools with which the USB has partnership agreements, and company visits.

This study tour complies with the EQUIS recommendations of international exposure for top-level business schools. It is arranged annually by the USB's International Affairs Office.

From 2011 onwards, the study tour will form a compulsory part of the USB MBA.

MBA International Study Tour 2010

Two study tours are being offered in 2010 – one to the USA and one to China.

USA

  • School: Bentley Business School, Boston
  • Elective (revised topic): The New Realities for Business in the Age of Conscious Capitalism
  • Tour leader: Dr Johan Smith
  • Dates: 17 – 27 September 2010

More about this study tour
The New Realities for Business in the Age of Conscious Capitalism: Business today has greater power than ever before to enhance or to diminish overall well-being in society. As its power and influence grow, so too must its sense of responsibility and stewardship.

Conscious Capitalism uses a systems approach to bring together and go beyond the ideas associated with inclusive capitalism as popularised by Prahalad in his book “The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid” and “creative capitalism” - a term used by Bill Gates.

Companies that practice “conscious capitalism” embody the idea that profit and prosperity go hand in hand with social justice and environmental stewardship. They operate with a systems view, recognising and benefiting from the connectedness and interdependence of all stakeholders. They tap into deeper sources of positive energy and create greater value for all stakeholders. They utilise creative business models that are both transformational and inspirational, and can help solve the world’s many social and environmental problems. Society is seen as the ultimate stakeholder; companies view themselves as existing ultimately to advance the well-being of society as a whole. They are motivated by a genuine desire to help solve large societal problems in partnership with governments, other companies and NGOs.

The Business School at Bentley University, located in historic Boston, is at the forefront of the new philosophy of Conscious Capitalism and is uniting academics and forward-thinking business practitioners in this fascinating approach to business. The School also works in close association with prominent institutions such as the Aspen Institute. This tour follows shortly after a conference at Bentley addressing issues, insights and implementation.

Boston, which is the home of prominent universities such as Harvard and MIT, is rich in history. Students will be able to go on the Freedom Trail with the rich experiences this tour promises. There will also be a quick stopover in New York.

China

  • School: BimBA Peking University, Beijing (in collaboration with Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School in Belgium)
  • Elective: Doing Business in China
  • Tour leader: Prof Frikkie Herbst
  • Dates: 17 – 27 September 2010

More about this study tour
Business in China requires a special knowledge of the bigger picture, and this is what this elective study tour sets out to achieve. Doing business in China requires a philosophical approach, which could be transferred to other continents with great success. Lectures include the following: Confucianism and business practices in China; China’s current economic policies; Intellectual property issues; Success factors for MNC’s in China; and Marketing in China.

The visit to Carrefour will enable students to compare SA companies such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite and Woolworths with the experience in China. (For example: How has Carrefour adopted its business model, if at all, to do business in China?) Students will also have the opportunity to go on a City Hunt with their MBA counterparts from Peking University – BiMBA (visits to Carrefour and Gome). The company visits and panel discussions will touch on subjects of great relevance in order to successfully do business in China.

More information

For further information on these study tours, contact Cailin Human, Exchange Coordinator at the USB’s International Affairs Office:

  • Telephone: +27 (0)21 918 4255
  • Fax: +27 (0)21 918 4195
  • E-mail: Cailin.Human@usb.ac.za
  • Postal address: PO Box 610, Bellville 7535, South Africa
  • Physical address: USB, Bellville Park Campus, Carl Cronjé Drive, Bellville 7530, South Africa