Emerging Economies

Catalog description

This course covers the economic development and market structure of various emerging economies. The course is designed to cover many of the most important emerging markets in the world. Asia, especially China and India, receives a strong focus given its size and pivotal role in the world economy. However, the markets of Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East all receive coverage. Emerging markets are now responsible for the lion’s share of world GDP growth. Success in them is critical for the strategies of multinational firms. Similarly, they are an important part of most investment portfolios. The course attempts to answer a number of important questions about these markets: What are the key challenges facing emerging markets today? What are the key drivers for economic growth in different countries? What is their future potential and how are they likely to evolve over the next few decades? How will demographic trends impact the attractiveness and growth prospects of these markets? What role does the government, especially the state-owned sector, play in their economies? More generally, how does politics impact markets, especially for foreign firms operating there? How do financial markets and corporate governance vary by country and what impact do they have on firm strategies? Why are conglomerates more common in emerging markets and what role do they play? How do consumer behavior and product markets vary by income and region?