COURSE NUMBER: MBA217.1

COURSE TITLE: Business Strategies for Emerging Markets (2-unit version)

UNITS OF CREDIT: 2.0

INSTRUCTOR: Flavio Feferman

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

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

MEETING DAY(S)/TIME: Thursdays 4:00 – 6:00PM

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, including social ventures.  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 an important 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 international business. 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, some student groups have collaborated with existing social ventures on a new project concept.

Here is a sample of topics we will cover:

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; the Porter Diamond framework.

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; microfinance; social ventures and impact evaluation; project financial analysis; clean tech and environmental markets; business plan development.

MODIFICATIONS TO COURSE FROM ITS MOST RECENT OFFERING (Describe any significant revisions, including those made in response to student feedback.):

The course was taught in the past two years as MBA290T-4: Business and Technology for Sustainable Development.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:

Flavio Feferman is President of Developing Markets Group, an economic development consulting firm, and partner with Terranova Bionergy, a renewable energy company.  During his 20 years of professional experience, Feferman directed several international feasibility studies and sectoral evaluations for private investors as well as for international organizations such as the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). He has also worked with foundations and social ventures in the U.S. and in developing countries. Feferman has worked in several countries in Latin America and Africa, and recently served as keynote speaker for a conference organized by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Feferman obtained an MBA from the Haas School of Business. He also holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Applied Economics from Stanford University.