Summer 2023Global Business Bulletin
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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Yongsun Paik, Ph.D.
I hope you had a relaxing summer. This issue highlights key programming and activities in LMU's Center for International Business Education (CIBE) for the first half of 2023. First, in partnership with World Trade Center Los Angeles, LMU CIBE contributed a special section, “Location Preference of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in California,” to the 2023 FDI in California report to help foreign investors make smarter decisions in making investments in California. Second, in collaboration with Florida International University (FIU) Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), we resumed an in-person Faculty Development in International Business (FDIB) South Korea program and supported faculty efforts to develop new courses and conduct research on South Korea. Third, LMU CIBE organized and sponsored a field trip for students enrolled in the course, "Global Sustainability: Challenges and Prospects in East Asia," which provided experiential learning opportunities in sustainable business practices of large conglomerates as well as small entrepreneurs in South Korea and Japan. We also organized a series of international business webinars to enlighten the LMU community about timely and important topics of global implications. I hope you will join us for more programs this fall and continue to support the events and activities of LMU CIBE. Thank you!
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CIBE Sponsors FDI 2023 Report & Select LA Investment Summit
LMU CIBE contributed a special section, "Location Preference of FDI in California" to the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to California 2023 report for the third time in collaboration with the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), World Trade Center Los Angeles (WTCLA), and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). In addition, CIBE sponsored the Select LA Investment Summit where Professor Richard Tang presented FDI report findings. More
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FDIB South Korea: Advancing Sustainability & Strategic Evolution in the Post-Pandemic EraLMU CIBE, in collaboration with FIU CIBER, hosted a successful FDIB South Korea program from May 25 to June 3. The 20-person faculty delegation visited multinational headquarters including LG Electronics, AMORE PACIFIC, CJ ENM, and Hyundai Motor Company to gain a better understanding of doing business in Korea. In addition, the group attended lectures at Yonsei University School of Business and visited historical sites to learn about Korean culture. Hudson Nwakanma, professor and chair of management & marketing at Florida A&M University, said, "The company visits provided me with a surprisingly positive perspective on business operations in South Korea. I'm already using some of the examples I observed in my classes."
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CMS and MGEM Visit the Port of Los Angeles
MBA students from the Comparative Management Systems (CMS) program along with Master in Global Entrepreneurial Management (MGEM) students had the unique opportunity to visit the Port of Los Angeles, one of the world’s busiest ports and ranked #1 in the U.S. LMU alumna Marisela Caraballo DiRuggiero, director of trade development at the Port of LA and a member of the LMU Center for International Business Education Advisory Council, spoke about the port's impact on the local, regional and national economy, including its sustainability efforts through the Clean Air Action Plan and work on environmental issues with the Port of Long Beach. The Port of LA is the first port in the world to have a cybersecurity unit and offers a free export education outreach program (Trade Connect) that assists businesses seeking to expand their markets globally. This excursion was facilitated by Marki Jones, CIBE program management director.
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Speakers in ReviewTo promote the nation’s capacity for international understanding and competitiveness, CIBE hosts a year-round International Business Lecture Series for the LMU community. These events help our students gain a deeper understanding of the global marketplace.
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Research Explores National IdentityEunbin Chung, assistant professor of political science at the University of Utah, joined LMU CIBE for a webinar titled, "How Korea, Japan and China Can Get Along Better: A National Identity Perspective." Chung discussed the complex history of national identities in Asia and past research that mainly focused on cultural convergence or overarching commonalities such as “Asian-ness” as a means to overcome distrust in East Asia. Chung shared how her research provides new insight into how trust can be built among the three countries when each nation affirms its own distinctive national identity. "National identities can have a positive side to them and we can thus potentially steer them in a positive direction," she said. This webinar was co-sponsored by the Center for Asian Business and moderated by Jennifer Ramos, LMU professor and interim chair of political science and international relations.
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Global Entrepreneur Visits LMU Chang Kim, founder and former CEO of Tapas Media, shared his experience and lessons in global entrepreneurship during a fireside chat. Tapas Media is a digital storytelling platform for content lovers that was acquired in 2021 by Korea's Kakao Entertainment at a $510M valuation. Chang shared what he's learned in business, including the successes and challenges of being an entrepreneur. "When you build a company and then the company grows, at some point your company becomes your product as a CEO.” The event was moderated by LMU Professor David Y. Choi and co-sponsored by the Center for International Business Education, Center for Asian Business D.K. Kim Foundation Lecture Series, and Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship.
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Marketing Alumni and Corporate Leaders Share Insights
Brand L.A. partnered with LMU CIBE to present a webinar that delved into the explosion of media outlets and micro-influencers that drive customer behavior. Panelists included Ivy Aria, founder and CMO of Brand L.A.; Todd Terrazas, president and executive director of AI LA; Richard Prenderville, CMO of Cannondale; and LMU alumni and founders of the creative ad agency NinetyEight, Celine Chai '20, Gia Lee '20, and Bryant Lin '20. All agreed that today's global market requires brands to be more agile than ever. The challenge is for companies and brands to ensure that brand positioning remains relevant across markets. "When it comes to staying relevant in the market while staying true to your brand, it all starts with understanding your brand mission and purpose," said Lee. LMU M-School co-directors Matt Stefl and Andy Rohm moderated.
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CIBE Hosts Global Sustainability Summit
Martha Montoya, CEO and co-founder of Agtools, presented, "Agtools: Increasing Global Food Supply Chain Efficiency and Sustainability through Big Data and AI." Agtools gathers real-time government and institutional market data for more than 500 specialty crops/commodities to aid stakeholders' decisions. Montoya explained how big data and AI play a role in its functionality and success. This event was co-sponsored by the Institute for Business Ethics and Sustainability and was held in conjunction with LMU's International Business Ethics and Sustainability Case Competition (IBESCC).
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CIBE Faculty AwardsCIBE provides faculty to support for research, curriculum development, conference presentations and travel aligned with CIBE’s mission: “to increase and promote the nation’s capacity for international understanding and competitiveness.”
- Li Dai, associate professor of management: FDIB Scandanavia
- Bassam Farah, assistant professor of management: Research, “Corporate Governance, Political Connectedness, and Bank Performance"
- Yasaman Ghasemi, assistant professor of information systems and business analytics: POM Conference
- Ingrid Greene, clinical assistant professor of management: Curriculum Development, “Critical Global Management Studies”
- James Plečnik, associate professor of accounting: Conference, National Tax Association's 115th Annual Conference on Taxation
- Wenlei Shan, professor of business, Mission College: FDIB South Korea
- Shan Wang, associate professor of accounting: Conference, American Accounting Association (AAA) Management Accounting Section (MAS) Midyear Meeting
- Sina Zare, assistant professor of information systems and business analytics: FDIB South Korea
- Anatoly Zhuplev, professor of management: Curriculum Development, “International Business Venturing and Socio-Economic Development”
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Video in Review
LMU CIBE's Global Business Insights video series features interviews with expert business practitioners engaged in international business who share their views about global trends or challenging issues in conducting business across borders. This episode features Alex Mannella, managing director, Strategy and Analytics, AI & Data Engineering, Deloitte interviewed by David Choi, director of the LMU Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship and Conrad N. Hilton Chair of Entrepreneurship.
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FACULTY IN THE NEWS
Richard Tang, Ph.D.
Sponsored by LMU CIBE, the Select LA Investment Summit brought together global investors with business and government leaders from around Southern California. Professor Tang presented key findings at the summit and highlighted that California and Los Angeles have a diverse economy that brings stability, resilience, innovation, and inclusivity to the local economy; thus, international investors should choose California and Los Angeles when expanding their businesses in the U.S.
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student spotlightAlex Villanueva '25
Alex, a junior entrepreneurship major and international business minor, was a scholarship recipient in the spring 2023 "Global Sustainability: Challenges and Prospects in East Asia" course. This scholarship provides support for students to participate in the course’s culminating two-week trip to Seoul, South Korea and Tokyo, Japan in May, accompanied by professors Alex Glosenberg and Yonsgun Paik. Speaking of his classroom experience, Alex said, "We drew lessons from the decisions made by global business leaders, sought to understand the challenges they faced, and resilient companies striving to create initiatives focused on developing sustainable practices."
Alex served as president of LMU’s Entrepreneurship Society for the 2022-23 academic year and is a founding president of the Latinx Business Association as well as a member of the CBA Student Leadership Council. In addition, he is the recipient of the LMU Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship Rising Star Award. Among many experiences at LMU, he says being a part of the First To Go family, which offers first-generation college students valuable resources and opportunities for their academic, professional, and personal growth, has been among the most impactful.
Alex's career goals include starting his own business, supporting fellow entrepreneurs, and joining a large company while exploring his interest in technology. He strives to become a business leader who inspires others to continue learning, nurtures new talent, and creates opportunities for others. Reflecting on the trip to Korea and Japan, he said, “I was definitely looking forward to embracing the beautiful cultures of both countries and getting to know my peers. Each of them are extraordinary people and I'm extremely grateful for all the memories we created together. I hope to continue getting more involved as an international business student and growing my global mindset!”
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Students Get Inside Look at Sustainability in Korea and Japan
LMU CBIE and Center for Asian Business sponsored the course, “Global Sustainability: Challenges and Prospects in East Asia.” The spring course culminated in a two-week trip to Seoul, South Korea and Tokyo, Japan in May. Yongsun Paik and Alex Glosenberg led 17 undergraduate students as they visited local businesses, including LG Electronics, Panasonic, and the Niihama Recycling Center to learn about their sustainability efforts. Other excursions included the IFEZ Smart City Operation Center, Nami Island, Tokyo Hydrogen Museum, and a tour of Gyeongbok Palace.
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Summer InternshipsLMU CIBE supports students by providing resources and funding in the form of stipends for unpaid or underpaid internationally-related internships. This year, CIBE supported the following students:
- Iliana Chen, Liberal Studies/Elementary Ed/Environmental Studies: Suwandi Foundation
- Arianna Soleil Kogon, Animation: Onward Israel
- Jack McDermott, Screenwriting: Cannes Film and Business Internship at America Pavilion
- Daniel Solot, Film Production: Onward Israel/TTV Productions
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International Business Society
The International Business Society continues to bring students together who are interested in advancing their knowledge about international markets and global business practices. Among their many activities, the IB Society hosted author and international trade expert Maurice Kogon; leaders in international business and tax law; and Emily Desai, deputy director of international affairs and trade at the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development alongside LMU alumna Amanda Meegan '21, a senior analyst at Woolworths Group, Australia. Ingrid Greene, clinical assistant professor and academic director of MGEM, will serve as faculty advisor for the 2023-24 academic year.
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Follow #LMUCIBE
Stay updated on the latest news and networking by following LMU CIBE on social media!
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LMU Center for International Business Education extends its appreciation to the U.S. Department of Education Title VI grant for their support.
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