Executive MBA programme
Develop your capabilities to manage strategic and operational realities.
Open-enrolment
Geopolitics and the new strategic reality – navigating political economy
Geopolitics is once again shaping the global business environment. Power shifts, conflicts and economic fragmentation are redefining markets, supply chains and strategic decision-making.
Date:
June 5, 2026
Lecturers:
Professor Isabell Schierenbeck and Alexander Atarodi
Studytime:
1 half day and evening
Language:
English
Price:
15 900SEK (excl. VAT) including dinner
Geopolitics is once again shaping the global business environment. Power shifts, conflicts and economic fragmentation are redefining markets, supply chains and strategic decision-making.
For senior executives and board members, decisions that once appeared primarily commercial are increasingly influenced by geopolitical dynamics. Understanding the interaction between geopolitics and political economy has therefore become essential for sound strategic judgement.
This executive session is led by Professor Isabell Schierenbeck, University of Gothenburg, and Geopolitical Analyst Alexander Atarodi, two highly regarded experts who are frequently invited to comment on global developments in television and international media. Drawing on research, policy experience and geopolitical analysis, the programme provides frameworks to help leaders interpret global change and make better-informed decisions in an increasingly uncertain world.
Why geopolitics matters for business leaders today
The global environment for business is increasingly shaped by political and geopolitical developments. Trade policy, sanctions, technological competition and shifting alliances influence corporate strategy, international partnerships and long-term investment decisions.
For senior leaders, understanding these dynamics is no longer optional. Strategic decisions must increasingly consider geopolitical risks and structural changes in the global order.
What makes this programme unique
This programme combines academic insight in geopolitics and political economy with a practical focus on strategic decision-making.
A distinctive feature is its focus on the conditions facing export-oriented companies in Western Sweden, one of Europe’s most globally integrated industrial regions. Companies in the region operate in international markets where geopolitical developments directly affect supply chains, investment decisions and market access.
Programme focus
The programme explores how geopolitical developments reshape the strategic environment for organisations and decision-makers.
Key themes include:
- The changing global order and the emergence of a more multipolar world
- The interaction between geopolitics, political economy and business strategy
- Geoeconomic shifts in trade, investment and global supply chain
- Strategic implications of geopolitical conflicts and regional instability
- Scenario-based discussions linking global developments to real leadership decisions
Lecturer: Professor Isabell Schierenbeck
Isabell Schierenbeck is Professor of Political Science at the School of Global Studies (SGS), University of Gothenburg. Her main research fields are diaspora and foreign policy as well as Middle Eastern, Red Sea and Israeli politics. She has been a visiting professor at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her work has been published in prestigious journals such as International Affairs, Foreign Policy Analysis, Israel Affairs, International Relations, and Third World Quarterly. Schierenbeck is vice chairman of the board of the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI) and a board member of the Institute of Turkish Studies, Stockholm. She is frequently consulted by (foreign) policy makers and as an expert commentator on Israeli and Middle Eastern politics for radio, TV, and the daily press.
Lecturer: Alexander Atarodi
Alexander Atarodi has spent the past 25 years working at the intersection of research, policy development, and policy implementation. With experience from the private sector, he brings a strong understanding of the priorities and challenges faced by large and medium-sized companies operating in complex national, regional, and global environments. Atarodi has been one of the leading figures in Sweden in the field of global trend analysis and foresight, contributing to several publications, including work produced for the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Target group
This programme is designed for senior decision-makers who need to understand how geopolitical developments influence markets, strategy and long-term business decisions.
Typical participants include:
- CEOs and senior executives
- Members of executive management teams
- Board members and board advisors
- Senior leaders responsible for strategy, international operations or public affairs
- Leaders in export-oriented companies and internationally active organisations
The programme is particularly relevant for leaders in companies operating in global markets or export-dependent industries, where geopolitical developments increasingly affect supply chains, investment decisions and market access.
Participants will also have the opportunity to exchange perspectives and network with other senior executives and business leaders facing similar strategic challenges, creating valuable peer-to-peer dialogue and new professional connections.
Learning outcomes
After the programme, participants will be better equipped to:
- Understand the structural changes shaping the global geopolitical landscape
- Analyse strategic business decisions in a geopolitical context
- Identify and assess risks beyond traditional financial considerations
- Strengthen strategic judgement in uncertain and politically complex environment
- Contribute more effectively to discussions in executive teams and boards
Programme structure
13:00 Welcome and introduction
Geopolitics: the changing global order
Understanding the structural shifts shaping today’s geopolitical landscape, including the emergence of a more multipolar world and the implications for international markets and business strategy.
Geoeconomics: markets, trade and power
Exploring how geopolitical tensions, trade policy, sanctions and regional conflicts are reshaping global trade, supply chains and investment decisions.
Strategic scenarios for business leaders
Scenario-based discussions connecting geopolitical developments to real strategic decisions faced by senior executives and boards.
17:00 Programme concludes
Followed by a three-course networking dinner.
Networking dinner
The programme concludes with a three-course networking dinner designed to facilitate meaningful conversations among participants.
To maximise the value of the networking experience, participants will rotate seating between each course, creating the opportunity to engage with several senior executives and board members from different industries during the evening.
The dinner will also include selected academics and researchers from the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, contributing their perspectives to the discussions and enriching the dialogue.
This format creates a unique setting for informal reflection on the programme’s themes while building new professional relationships with peers facing similar strategic challenges in today’s geopolitical environment.
Reserve seat
General conditions for applying to open-enrolment programmes
Once we receive your application, you will receive a confirmation by e-mail. The confirmation will contain all practical information. We will send you an invoice for the programme fee 14 days before it starts. Should there be too few applications, we reserve the right to cancel the programme. In such case, you will be notified by e-mail.
Cancellation
In case you wish to cancel your application a written cancellation needs to be sent via e-mail. This can be done without cost up to 28 days before programme start. Cancellation within 14-27 days before programme start will be charged with 50% of the programme fee. Cancelling less than 14 days means the entire fee will be charged. In case of cancellation, you are welcome to find a replacement to take your seat.
Apply for more information
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