Thailand and the Globalization of Business:
Trends, Issues and Challenges
2009 Exploration Seminar in Thailand
Program Director: James Reinnoldt- School of Business, UW Bothell
Dates of Instruction: August 26-September 15, 2009
Seminar Overview: In response to an increasingly globalized world, developing economies like Thailand are striving to expand their trade and global integration. However, these same pursuits are also creating some fascinating and complex challenges for economies, multi-national corporations, local businesses, and cultures within these developing countries and it behooves students from all global academic disciplines to understand them.
In a captivating, hands-on, 21-day study tour to The Kingdom of Thailand, students will have the opportunity to learn about key issues, opportunities and challenges that globalization presents to developing countries. Additionally, students will be able to assess and understand how businesses, NGOs and other organizations are developing and executing new strategies in order to effectively compete in a dynamic and increasingly globalized environment.
The Seminar Experience
Seattle: Laying the Groundwork
Prior to departing from Seattle, the seminar group will have an opportunity to conduct background research on some of the key issues and trends of globalization and their impact on developing countries like Thailand. During this time each student will also be assigned an organization and/or set of key issues to be researched for their final course project.
Thailand: Observation, Experience and Application
 Orientation and Team Building
Shortly after arrival in Bangkok, the group will be oriented to the climate, geography, people and culture of Thailand through a guided tour of the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, Temple of Dawn and other key attractions. In order to build team spirit as well as become oriented to the neighborhoods and transportation systems of Bangkok, the group will also participate in a challenging and fun Scavenger Hunt Challenge.
Discussion and Research:
Following the orientation sessions, the group will spend time on a variety of activities that allows them to more thoroughly understand the many dimensions to globalization through the eyes of businesses, NGOs and other organizations. These activities will include lectures from NGOs, presentations from local and international business people and participation in discussion groups.
A key component of this aspect of the seminar will be a research project undertaken by each participant in order to further assess and understand some of globalization’s key issues and impacts. For exampl e, some students might want to assess the impact of HIV/AIDS on businesses in Thailand, while other participants might want to study a topic such as the role of Corporate Social Responsibility in a global firm’s strategy. There will be considerable flexibility as participants can select from among a list of topics that suits their interests while also meeting seminar objectives.
Seminar Highlights
Students will enhance their learning about globalization through various field trips, discussions and exercises as follows:
- A guided bicycle trip through the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand
- Presentations by and discussions with officials from various local and multi-national businesses, NGOs and international institutions on some key issues of globalization such as the impact of HIV/AIDS, illicit trade in IPR, sex tourism and the role of Corporate Social Responsibility in a company’s strategy.
- Meetings with and visits to local and MNC businesses in the logistics, tourism, agriculture, and retail sectors of Thailand
 about the challenges of globalization and their strategic responses.
- A field research project conducted by each student on a global business topic that provides students with a crucial job skill and a valuable job interview tool.
- A discussion with local expatriate business executives about the opportunities and challenges in international business careers and how to develop a job search strategy for such a career in the public and private sectors.
- A team-based “Amazing Race” (scavenger hunt) competition that will orient participants to the street life and geography of Bangkok.
- A trip to Chiang Rai, with a trek to an Akha Hill Tribe village and an opportunity to help a local charity build homes or teach classes to children.
- A trip to Phuket and Khao Lak and a visit to the tsunami memorial in Baan Naam Khem-- “ground zero” of the devastating tsunami that ravaged Southeast Asia a few years ago.
- A visit to the sprawling Jatujak Market of Bangkok, followed by a guided tour of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.
(*) Note: The actual cities and organizations that the group will visit are subject to change. A Seminar Itinerary will be posted in due course at http://web.me.com/jreinnoldt/Thailand_ES_2009/Thailand_2009.htm
 Student Free Time
Thailand has a rich history and culture and Bangkok has some world-class shopping and sightseeing. Students will have time and opportunity to take advantage of both through activities such as group dinners, a beach BBQ, and an opportunity to visit to the sprawling weekend markets of Bangkok. There will also be time to ride an elephant, go sea canoeing off the coast of Thailand’s Pangha Province or just hang out at the beach.
Seminar Goals
The academic and participant goals of this Exploration Seminar include:
- Develop a set of research tools and resources necessary for identifying and analyzing the key opportunities and challenges for businesses and other organizations in an increasingly globalized environment.
- Understand the key economic, political, legal, social and cultural institutions, forces and issues that are shaping the global business environment.
- Understand globalization’s impact on the people, societies, cultures and environments of developing countries like Thailand.
- Understand the negative side effects of globalization such as HIV/AIDS, political conflict, exploitation of labor, environmental degradation, urban migration and poverty.
- Understand the increasingly important role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in globalized business strategies.
- Understand how local businesses, MNCs and other organizations in Thailand are responding to the opportunities, challenges and impacts of globalization through global strategic planning and execution.
- Enjoy a rich cultural experience and develop a high degree of cross-cultural understanding and empathy.
- Develop and strengthen analytical and business communication skills in a global context.
- Stimulate curiosity about other cultures, economies and societies in an increasingly globalized world and the many challenges they face.
- Develop the skills and confidence needed to travel independently among various countries in the world.
 Course Credit: Whereas this seminar is specifically geared towards business students, participants from all academic disciplines will find it both interesting and worthwhile and are encouraged to apply. In terms of academic credit, participants will earn 5 credits in BBUS 480. However, participants will still need to check with their academic advisors ahead of time to determine how these credits may be best applied toward departmental requirements.
All interested students should note that this seminar will be taught as a business capstone course and that the academic demands are usually much higher than other courses. The specific course expectations can be found in the BUS 480 Course Syllabus and should be thoroughly read before a student applies. This document can be downloaded from http://web.me.com/jreinnoldt/Thailand_ES_2009/Thailand_2009.html
About The Seminar Director
The Seminar Director, James Reinnoldt, currently teaches Global Business (Senior Capstone and MBA) and International Marketing at UWB Executive Education courses at UW Seattle, and International Marketing at Assumption University in Bangkok. He conducted a UW Exploration Seminar to Thailand and Cambodia in 2007 and two seminars to Thailand and Vietnam in 2008.
Interested students are highly encouraged to read the Comments and Reflections from the 2008 seminar participants to get a sense for the scope and demands of this seminar. These can be found at: http://web.me.com/jreinnoldt/Thailand_ES_2009/Student_Reflections%3A_2008_ES.html
 Seminar Fees
|
