COURSE NUMBER: EWMBA215.1

This course is cross-listed with the Full-Time MBA Program

COURSE TITLE: Business Strategies for Emerging Markets

UNITS OF CREDIT: 3 Units

INSTRUCTOR: Flavio Feferman

E-MAIL ADDRESS: feferman@haas.berkeley.edu

CLASS WEB PAGE LOCATION: http://bspace.berkeley.edu

MEETING DAY(S)/TIME: Thursdays, 6:00 – 9:30PM

PREREQUISITE(S): None

CLASS FORMAT: Lectures, cases, and guest speakers.

REQUIRED READINGS: Course reader, cases, and articles.

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE:

Final group project, short student presentations on selected topics, and class participation.

ABSTRACT OF COURSE'S CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:

This course is tailored to students pursuing an international career in economic development, international business, or entrepreneurship in developing regions.  The primary focus is on entrepreneurship, social ventures, and business models for poverty alleviation. Some of the readings, cases, and discussion will also cover multinational strategy in developing countries, but to a lesser extent (there are others courses at Haas focus more on multinational corporate strategy). Enrollment typically includes students from Business, Engineering, and Public Policy.

The course draws on economic development theory, business cases, and project evaluation techniques (finance, market analysis) to provide a holistic view of the role of business and technology in sustainable economic development.  Students will learn and apply conceptual frameworks and practical tools that will help them in their international careers.  We will discuss pertinent business cases from developing countries (in Latin America, Africa, and Asia) to illustrate key concepts, utilizing examples from diverse economic sectors such as telecommunications, renewable energy, information technology, and agriculture.  The course will review the role of technology and innovation in promoting economic development and as a source of competitive advantage for firms. Finally, we will review and discuss business models used by social ventures and companies in developing countries.

The course is structured to evolve from a “macro” view of economic development (countries and regions) to a “micro” or business-level view (companies, markets, and projects).  The macro analysis provides a contextual background for the subsequent discussions on the evaluation of business opportunities. We will also discuss special topics such as microfinance, clean energy, public-private partnerships, and the impact of globalization on economic development.  The course will include guest lectures by economic development practitioners and entrepreneurs. 

As a final project, students will develop a “mini business plan” for a business or social venture in a developing country.  In the past, student groups have collaborated with existing companies, entrepreneurs, and social enterprises on a new project concept.

Here is a sample of topics we will cover (topics can vary slightly from year to year)

Macro Level:

Countries: economic growth, poverty and equity; development strategies; the role of institutions & technology in development; entrepreneurship & innovation; globalization.

Regions: Regional competitiveness & industry clusters; Clusters as a hub of innovation; and industrial policy.

Micro Level:

Industry and competitive analysis: Market and industry assessment; value chains; competitive strategy and business models in developing countries; “Base of Pyramid (BoP)” concept and customer segmentation; ICT and development.

Companies, markets, and projects: Opportunity assessment; social ventures and impact evaluation; project financial analysis; clean tech and environmental markets; business plan development.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:

Flavio Feferman is President of Developing Markets Group, an economic development consulting firm.  During his 20+ years of professional experience in international development, Feferman directed several projects for private investors as well as for international organizations such as the World Bank/IFC, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). Feferman led regional competitiveness initiatives in Brazil and other Latin American countries, working with both governments and private sector entrepreneurs. He also served as strategic consultant to companies such as eBay, Visa, and Bechtel, as well as to non-profits such as the Goldman Environmental Prize, Global Greengrants, and Technoserve.  Feferman recently served as keynote speaker for a conference organized by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Feferman holds graduate degrees in Applied Economics and Business from Stanford University and the University of California Berkeley (Haas). His teaching and professional interests include agriculture/agribusiness, renewable energy, the role of business and technology in economic development, and entrepreneurship and business models in developing regions.