[7 November 2001]
WHARTON, INSEAD and SMU Spearhead dicussion on competing in the current global economy

Seminar Marks Unprecedented Three-Way Collaboration by Premier Academic Institutions

With ongoing uncertainties and an impending global recession following the September 11 terrorist attacks, many corporations are going into a regression mode, holding back on their global vision. What then is the role of globalisation in these volatile times?

Experts agree that hastening the pace of globalisation is the most hopeful solution to the recession. Increasingly, strategic alliances and partnerships are becoming the choice complement in "growing" a global company. To successfully compete long term, companies need to create a homegrown strategy - mobilise and integrate knowledge, skills and capabilities dispersed in specialised pockets around the world.

But in turning the situation around, questions inevitably arise. How does a company transcend its "home base" roots to become truly global? How do corporations revitalise and even re-equip themselves to compete profitably in today's global economy? One solution is to build a new type of company - one that dares to forge a new path at every stage of the globalisation game.

In an unparalleled collaboration, these issues will be examined by The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, INSEAD and the Singapore Management University (SMU) in a one-day seminar, to be held on Wednesday, 7 November 2001, entitled Competing in the Global Economy: Critical Success Factors. Demonstrating staunch support for the seminar are the main sponsors: Asia Pacific Breweries Ltd, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore and United Overseas Bank Limited. Co-sponsors are NOL and TH Group Berhad.

The Guest-of-Honour is Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore. Following his address will be the morning's keynote session, "Learning from the World - Balancing Local Demands & Global Vision" by Professor Yves L. Doz, The Timken Chaired Professor of Global Technology and Innovation, Professor of Business Policy and Dean of Executive Education at INSEAD, well-known for assisting multinational companies in corporate renewal and alliances management and also co-author of the book, " From Global to Metanational - How Companies Win in the Knowledge Economy". His address will be commented on and moderated by Professor Arnoud De Meyer, Akzo Nobel Fellow in Strategic Management, Professor of Technology Management and Asian Business, Dean of the Asia Campus, INSEAD.

Two follow-up panel sessions will discuss the identification of critical success factors needed for going global and identification of opportunities and challenges from growing a global company. The seminar will then conclude with a second keynote session "Reinventing the Global Firm" by Professor Bruce Kogut, Felix Zandman Professor of International Management, Co-Director, Reginald H. Jones Center for Management Policy, Strategy and Organization at The Wharton School.

Chief executives, executives, management consultants, strategic planning executives, entrepreneurs, managers and investors interested in how globalisation can impact or transform their businesses will be attending this seminar.