School of Business, Economics and Law – 2011-10-10

Recently the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme for 2011-2013 started with 23 participants from 18 companies based in Sweden, Germany, Austria, Finland, Japan and the USA. The part-time management programme is directed towards managers in both private and public sectors. With specific focus on Asia the participants are given tools which with to do business in a global market.

The School of Business, Economics and Law’s Executive Education programmes now take on a more distinct Asian profile. The Executive MBA Programme will be directed more specifically at emerging markets in Asia and the customised, in-company programmes will be characterised by a stronger focus on Asia. Already today several in-company programmes are being delivered in, amongst other countries, India, China and Singapore. Further programmes are being planned with course modules being located at partner universities in Asia as well as courses for Chinese entrepreneurs in China.

Since 2010 the Executive MBA Programme, which is held on a part-time basis over a two year period includes two separate one-week residencies at the top-ranked universities of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore in India, and Zhejiang University in China. Both of them are partner universities to the School of Business, Economics and Law. During the overseas modules the programme participants combine studies at the Indian and Chinese partner universities with visits to companies – visits that provide excellent opportunities to network with Asian managers.

From now on the School of Executive Education, which is responsible for the majority of the Executive Education programmes at the School of Business, Economics and Law, will be concentrating even more on Asia. Thomas Andersson, CEO at Volvo Cars Nordic and Chairman of the School of Executive Education explains that the focus on Asia is a strategically important choice.

“The School of Executive Education has a clear insight into Asia’s importance as a market, as a source of resources and technology, and as a future collaboration partner. The School of Business, Economics and Law has developed a unique expertise and a solid contact network with leading Asian universities which can now be accessed by Swedish and Scandinavian commerce through Executive MBA programmes and customised Executive Education programmes. These new commercial contacts with Asian entrepreneurs will also provide fine opportunities for concrete business deals”, says Thomas Andersson.

Concentration on Asia focussing on exchange of expertise The School of Executive Education receives frequent visits by MBA delegates from the Asian partner universities. These visits imply a significant potential for the exchange of expertise.

“Our participants will be given the opportunity to network with Indian and Chinese managers, not only during their overseas modules but also here in Sweden”, says Per-Olof Larsson, CEO at the School of Executive Education. He goes on to say, “the exchange of expertise and experience becomes an important aspect of our future Executive Education programmes. We want to go beyond traditional forms of education and allow our Swedish participants to discuss real-life business challenges with Indian and Chinese corporate managers”.

Knowledge of Asia a pre-condition for successful business relations According to Per-Olof Larsson there is a high level of interest primarily amongst the Chinese to learn about Scandinavian corporate culture. More programmes are in the pipeline for educating Chinese entrepreneurs in China. Conversely Swedes need to understand how the world is viewed from a Chinese perspective.

“Expertise is a condition for creating effective business relationships with Chinese companies. Through our partner universities we will be able to tap in to Chinese leading-edge expertise and contacts with Chinese companies, which we then can pass on to our Executive Education programmes”, says Per-Olof Larsson.

For further information please contact: Per-Olof Larsson, tel +46 (0)31-786 5381, +46 (0)708- 98 16 00, per-olof.larsson@handels.gu.se
About the School of Executive Education at the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg School of Executive Education is a provider of university-based management development programmes, founded in 2008 as a carve-out of the executive education practice of the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. School of Executive Education delivers customized programmes for the private and public sector and one Executive MBA programme. The clients are spread out across the globe and programmes are delivered e.g. in Finland, USA, India, China and Singapore. The School of Executive Education designs programmes that combine academic weight with practical relevance, which helps the customers to implement strategies through the development of key employees.