Most organizations today are affected by, or even dependent upon, global markets. It is increasingly important that executives understand business issues in an international context. The Executive MBA Program at the University of Tennessee has therefore designed one of the most extensive global business seminars available in executive education.

The global business seminar makes up the bulk of the international business portion of the program curriculum. During a two-week residence period, students obtain first-hand insights into issues affecting the global business environment. In Asia, South or Central America, or Eastern Europe, students consider issues in macroeconomics, infrastructure, consumer markets, technology, and workforce development. Students are charged with developing a body of information around an issue of relevance to their companies, and arranging individual information-gathering visits in the destination cities.

Site visits to manufacturing facilities and service organizations are combined with lectures and presentations by business executives from both local organizations and multinational corporations, as well as by educators from local universities. This hands-on approach is key to fully understanding the opportunities and challenges that exist when conducting business in a global environment.

The 2009 Executive MBA class will visit Poland, Austria and Hungary during the international residence period scheduled for September 6-19, 2009.