Globally Responsible, Globally Profitable: Corporate Social Responsibility in Southeast Asia
2007 Exploration Seminar in Thailand & Cambodia
**THIS PROGRAM IS FULL AND NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS**
Program Director: James Reinnoldt- School of Business, UW Bothell
Dates of Instruction: August 22 - September 13, 2007
As businesses globalize, they are having a profound and sometimes unintentional impact on the communities in which they operate. As a result, increased demands are being placed on these businesses to account for and address the impact of their activities on the economies, societies and environments they serve.
In a captivating, hands-on, 23-day study tour, you will have the opportunity to visit and experience the culturally rich kingdoms of Thailand and Cambodia where you will assess the impact of globalization on these two countries, as well as learn about how businesses are responding with an increased emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs as core elements of their global business strategies.
After an orientation in Seattle, you will travel to Thailand and Cambodia where you will participate in a series of dynamic lectures, discussions and visits to international institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to examine and understand the consequences of globalization. For example, you will visit:
- The Human Development Foundation- Helping the urban poor of Bangkok deal with HIV, drugs and illiteracy
- The International Rescue Committee-Dealing with human trafficking and other issues in Thailand and the surrounding countries
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The Jesuit Refugee Service- Helping political refugees from Burma and migrant workers from Laos and Cambodia in Thailand
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The United Nations Population Fund- Dealing with issues in reproductive health and gender equality throughout Southeast Asia
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The Life Home Project - A non-profit home for HIV/AIDS-infected women and their children in Phuket, Thailand
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The Shinta Mani Community Support programs that help the rural poor in Cambodia
Once you’ve assessed the impact of globalization on these societies, you will then visit local and multi-national organizations to learn about their socially responsible initiatives that respond to the challenges of globalization. For example, you will visit:
- The Shinta Mani Hotel in Siam Reap, Cambodia
- Chevron- The leading oil and natural gas producer in Thailand
- Merck Pharmaceuticals, Thailand
- The Indigo Pearl Hotel in Phuket, Thailand
- Wonderworld Toys in Pattumthani, Thailand
- The Thailand Business Coalition on Aids
- Coca Cola Thailand
 In addition, you will visit the magnificent Khmer ruins of Angkor Wat on the back of an elephant, take a boat to the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya, as well as participate in a community service project that helps Cambodia’s rural poor.
The goals of this Study Tour include:
- Understand first-hand the profound impact that globalized businesses are having on the communities in which they operate.
- Understand the increasing and varied demands placed on businesses by their stakeholders in these communities.
- See how businesses, NGOs and governments are working to address these demands through the sharing of wealth, skills and knowledge.
- Discover the increasing importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs as part of a company’s global strategy, and derive valuable lessons from best-case CSR programs currently at work in Thailand and Cambodia.
- Gain a deep and rich cross-cultural experience while learning about other cultures, economies and societies and the many challenges they face in an increasingly globalized world.
 Students from all majors and disciplines may participate. As a participant you will have assigned readings, research, presentations, collaborative discussions and a final, team-based report. At course completion, you’ll earn five credits in your choice of the following classes:
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CHID 474: Asia Study Abroad
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B BUS 479: Special Topics in Management (UW Bothell)
The UW Seattle Business School will also allow the five credits for this seminar to count towards upper-division electives. Participants should check with their advisors to determine how these credits can count towards departmental requirements.
Student costs:
$2,995 Program Fee
$200 IPE Fee
Additional costs include: round trip travel to Thailand and Cambodia, visa, health insurance and vaccines, meals, course materials and personal expenses.
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