Unveiling Latin America's economic success
A lot of attention has been focused on the remarkable economic success of China, India and other Asian countries. So much so that the rise of Latin American companies as major players on the international economic scene has almost gone unnoticed.
Living with uncertainty
The authorities in the US and Europe have the right policies in place to tackle the financial crisis, but it will take time to restore confidence in the markets, according to speakers at the World Knowledge Forum. James Wolfensohn, who had led the World Bank during the Asian financial crisis in the late 90s, told the forum’s ‘Live on Wall Street’ session that the markets have ‘yet to be convinced of the utility of these interventions.'
Rethinking global financial systems
The consensus is loud and clear: in the wake of the worst global financial crisis since the Great Depression, a fundamental rethink of the structure of the global financial markets and greater cooperation of the major regulatory bodies are paramount, said the heads of major financial institutions at the World Knowledge Forum in Seoul.
As recession fears intensify, is India a safe haven?
"India is not simply setting new standards on trade, investment and economic terms, it’s also emerging as a genuinely influential player in many of the big global policy issues that we are all talking about at the moment – climate change and energy sustainability, WTO (World Trade Organisation), and global corporate responsibility; because some of the Indian companies are models in this respect, and – the more interesting – because of their different origin." This is according to Helen A
CEO view: Wolfgang Prock-Schauer of India’s Jet Airways
As the aviation industry faces its biggest crisis in recent history because of high fuel prices and the economic slowdown, airlines are forced to do business differently as they seek to trim operating costs ruthlessly to brace themselves for tough times ahead.
“Jet Airways is working on all areas to streamline operations including cutting loss-making routes,” says Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEO of Jet Airways, India's largest private airline. India’s aviation industry lost $1 billion
The future of Chinese capitalism
China's emerging economy is an enormous success story and it’s remarkable, say two INSEAD professors, because it's really one big experiment.
In their book, The Future Of Chinese Capitalism, Gordon Redding and Michael Witt say that different parts of China are trying different things to find the best formula. "China does not have a grand plan for developing itself. It's very conscious that it's running the society as a series of experiments," Redding says.
Targetting Africa: The case for investment
Africa is so diverse, with its variety of countries and resources, that almost any type of business in the world could take advantage of the continents economic growth. That was the view of panellists at the INSEAD Leadership Summit 2008.
Simon Harford, West Africa head for private equity group Actis and INSEAD alumnus (94D) says virtually any business that can talk to the consumer base of Africa is already growing at remarkable rates, 30 to 60 per cent year on year.
Cathay Pacific takes off cautiously to brighter skies
At its Annual General Meeting recently, IATA (International Air Transport Association) predicted that the industry will recover faster than expected, with Asia-Pacific carriers powering the upturn. INSEAD Knowledge takes a closer look at the performance of one of these airlines: the flag carrier of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific.
Energy security: a picture of uncertainty
Uncertainty surrounds the security and sustainability of energy supplies in the UK
from 2015 onwards, with energy prices rising – in some cases – to uncomfortably high levels. “Gas would be a very important bridge to take us to the Elysian fields of a much cleaner energy scene of onshore and offshore wind, renewables, and an expectation of a very large chunk of nuclear,” says Alistair Buchanan, Chief Executive of Ofgem (the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets), speaking at The
A new world order: the rise of China and the decline of the West
While many are already talking about the notion of a shift in power from West to East, a thought-provoking book by author Martin Jacques called ‘When China rules the world’ takes this even further by proclaiming that China will not only thrive in the 21st century, but will do so at the expense of the United States.
What’s next after Copenhagen?
Was there too much riding on the United Nations Climate Change Conference which concluded in Copenhagen at the weekend?
Barroso makes the case for conclusion of Doha Round
The world should embrace free trade and repudiate protectionism, urges José Manuel Barroso, European Commission president, adding that completing the Doha Round on global trade would send a “very important signal” that free trade is vital in lifting the international economy from the current deep recession.
Lessons learned: The Nordic banking crisis of the 1990s
Once burned, twice shy. That’s a lesson that has helped a lot of Swedish and Finnish businesses dodge major disaster during the world’s most recent economic crisis.
Arcelor Mittal: Lightening up heavy industry
Steel is one of the industrial sectors under intense pressure to cut greenhouse gas emissions. By its very nature, producing steel consumes a lot of energy, which in turn produces a lot of carbon dioxide. But its not as bleak as all that: the steel industry has been trying for decades to find ways to cut CO2 emissions, says Michel Wurth, a member of the management board of ArcelorMittal, the worlds largest steel maker.
The ugly side of innovation: walking a tightrope between creativity and lawlessness
Innovative companies tend to be successful, or – at least – bear the hallmarks of success. But what happens when innovative ideas are used for ill-gotten gains? That is what Mark Stein of Imperial College in London has been researching. His article on the Oedipus Complex and Enron (Oedipus Rex at Enron) chronicles the rise and fall of the former energy trading giant – through misguided leadership.
Ericsson: Aiming to help reduce emissions while 'not shying' away from its own responsibilities
The telecoms sector isn't regarded as a major polluter, but that isn't stopping firms in that industry from doing what they can to help tackle climate change.
One such telecoms firm, Ericsson, took part in the European Business Summit held recently in Brussels -- a summit devoted this year to 'greening' the economy and reducing carbon emissions. One might wonder why a company that is neither a big polluter, nor present in the energy sector, would feel the need to participate in such a s
The Merck Orchestra: using Mendelssohn to teach leadership
Ranging in size anywhere from 80 to 100 musicians, a symphony orchestra not only provides a magnificent sound, but an engaging illustration of how leadership works. As pharmaceutical company Merck has discovered, watching an orchestra rehearse is an invaluable lesson in corporate management.
Tupperware: a party somewhere every two seconds
Say “Tupperware” to anyone over 40 and you conjure up visions of 1950s American housewives gathered together at someone’s home for a chance to test and buy airtight, plastic food containers. Passe, right? Wrong.
Humanitarian operations: the challenges for fleet management
Humanitarian disasters are on the increase. According to Lars Gustavsson, Senior Executive Officer, World Vision International, two large emergencies were recorded in 1982, compared with 90 in 2000, and this figure is set to rise to 170 by 2020. With this in mind, the natural question is how can humanitarian organisations continue to delivery efficient disaster response operations?
A helping hand for families trying to escape the poverty trap in India
Kancheepuram, some 80 kilometres south-west of Chennai, is well known for its 500-year-old heavyweight silk sari tradition. But chances were that its ornate, intricate pieces were woven by children between the age of five and 13, working 12 to 16 hours a day and bonded to a master weaver until their parents’ debt was paid in full.
