The courses provide students with an introduction to the practicalities of doing business in a specific country by enabling better understanding of its economy, the driving forces and challenges, and how to identify and capture market opportunities. They also teach students consumer behaviour and business communication that reflects individual cultures.
The first to go live are China and Brazil; however there are plans to introduce a suite of courses for different markets to add to student and alumni networking within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Russia and India. Nigel Banister, chief global officer and CEO of the Global MBA said: "Global MBA students will always have their core courses in business leadership, management and economics but we have responded to an ever changing global business environment and the rapidly changing way in which we communicate to offer students additional courses that will equip them with the skills and understanding they need."
MBS has launched the programmes following research and insight from MBS' engagement with national and international organisations, which showed that a downturn in mature markets, growth of emerging markets and a surge in digital technology and social media has significantly changed the way industries will need to do business in the future. The school has also seen a change in the way organisations are exploring new markets and cultures with managers now demanding employees who have skills in global communications and experience in working overseas.
Banister added: "Globalisation and the global economic crisis have forced business leaders to rethink the way they do business. There is a real understanding now that to succeed in this new environment a business needs people who have practical experience, wide business and cultural understanding and ability to work on a global scale."
