In The News

How Walmart Is Changing China

Orville Schell November 23, 2011
Walmart is working with China to identify and reduce waste in packaging, shipping and energy use, explains China expert Orville Schell in an article for the Atlantic. Any cost-saving idea can be multiplied among thousands of suppliers, thousands of stores, millions of employees and shoppers. Since 2005, Walmart and China “are engaging in a bold experiment in consumer behavior modification, market...

The Shadow Superpower

Robert Neuwirth November 10, 2011
The world has a significant informal economy, employing half the world’s workforce and estimated to be worth $10 trillion, excluding blatantly illegal activities. The so-called System D, slang from French-speaking Africa and the Caribbean, can no longer go ignored by policymakers, argues Robert Neuwirth for Foreign Policy. The actions of street vendors, barterers, garage sale operators, impromptu...

Beyond the PC

Martin Giles October 14, 2011
Getting computers into more hands over the past two decades spurred innovation: Early in Apple’s history, the late Steve Jobs, 56, encouraged company secretaries to train in computer skills and offer ideas, one Wall Street Journal columnist reminisced. Thus a desktop meeting scheduler was born. Merging smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices – all developed and promoted by Jobs – into...

Japan in a Post 3/11 World – Part II

John Berthelsen October 7, 2011
Disasters present new beginning and perspectives with the need to build anew. Whether vowing to rebuild and replicate or relocate, those reviving Japan will strive for security and improvements. This YaleGlobal series explores the transformative effects of spring’s earthquake-tsunami on Japanese politics, energy policy and business. The disaster has prompted Japanese manufacturers to scout Asia...

With Growing Confidence, India Pursues Mergers Abroad

Vikas Bajaj October 6, 2011
With India removing protectionist shackles, its businesses are no longer content with large market shares in the country and now seek a global reach, reports Vikas Bajaj in a blog for the New York Times. In the last year and a half, Indian companies have spent more money on outbound mergers and acquisitions than foreign companies have spent on Indian deals, according to one accounting firm....

Chinese Policies Put Squeeze on the Banks

Steven M. Davidoff October 5, 2011
Whether US investment banks and private-equity firms can continue global financial domination depends on their success in Asia, particularly China, contends Steven M. Davidoff in the New York Times. Globalization was historically good for Wall Street’s financial firms, but now to prosper they must pursue business in Asia. He identifies a major shortcoming for US firms – not competing “at all for...

The Trouble With Outsourcing

August 1, 2011
Outsourcing has been tried in every field – from manufacturing to security – relying on specialized companies to provide efficient service or parts at a low price. “There are signs that outsourcing often goes wrong, and that companies are rethinking their approach to it,” reports this article in the Economist. The mishaps behind the manufacture of Boeing’s Dreamliner, with supply-chain delays and...