Grad Prereq: Students must have 16 credits of MBA course work completed at Questrom.
This intensive ten day seminar provides students with a broad understanding of the ways in which business strategies can create value at the base of the economic pyramid.* Students will gain first hand experience of how businesses, NGOs (non-governmental organizations), and government are using models of social enterprise to address social and economic issues in the fields of health, education, and the environment in the context of an emerging market - in this case, Brazil. This study program includes extensive site visits throughout the country to social enterprises, multi-national firms, NGO ventures, and government organizations. Students also hear from a wide variety of Latin American specialists in topic areas. A broad range of topics will be covered including: renewable energy, sustainable development, eco-tourism, new models for providing health and education services to underserved populations, social enterprise, micro-enterprise, corporate social responsibility, and public/private partnerships. The course will consist of three pre-departure sessions focused on social enterprise, corporate social responsibility, and emerging markets. Students are also expected to select an individual research track of interest for the duration of the seminar. This seminar is open to all full time and part time MBA and MS.MBA students. Full time students may register for it as a spring elective, part time students can register for it as they see fit, students graduating in May can register for this class in the Spring and still participate in commencement ceremonies, and MS.MBA students may take it in year two. *In global terms, this is the four billion people who live on less than $2 per day. The phrase "bottom of the pyramid" is used in particular by people developing new models of doing business that deliberately target that market, typically using new technology.
[ 3 cr.]