Retreat Programme

Evening 19 June, Retreat Welcome Reception at Pembroke College, hosted by Sir Paul Judge.

Day 1: Morning Session 1. Retreat Introduction by Dr Yezid Sayigh

Dr Sayigh will introduce the main themes of the Retreat, namely entrepreneurship, business innovation, globalisation and E-commerce. He will discuss the relationships between these themes in the context of their implications for the Middle East. The opening session will analyze matters that delegates have knowledge of and use these issues to set the stage for the 11 highly intensive sessions to follow.

Can the Middle East 'sit on the fence' with regards to globalisation and E-commerce? For instance, the expansion of the private sector cannot occur without involvement of the global economy. Therefore, social and political issues would need to change. Is the Middle East prepared for such changes?

Can the Middle East develop a new, E-based economy within a 'closed' political arena, as has happened in the private sectors where investment is limited and entrepreneurship is hardly encouraged? With regards to entrepreneurs: how can new skills be developed among the populace? How can the Middle East develop the sort of clusters and networks between firms and universities that are so critical to the new economy? For instance, R&D is non-existent in universities in the Middle East. The Middle East tends to focus on import/export rather than input through individuals.

What does globalisation mean to Middle East business and governments? Is it synonymous with Liberalisation? Would it require regionalisation in the Middle East, especially with respect to trade? Is globalisation more than cultural invasion? What about the involvement of the State as a 'regulatory' factor over 'private' enterprise? How will globalisation influence the Middle East labour market?

Session 2 and 3. E-Commerce (Global issues) by Professor Geoff Walsham

Professor Walsham will focus on business opportunities and risks associated with E-commerce in general. Opportunities include better links with supply chain partners, improved internal business processes, and low cost channels to consumers. Risks include problems of blending the old with the new, not taking account of the limitations of E-commerce from a human behaviour perspective, and underestimating global diversity. Session 3 will focus on the latter point, by discussing the variety of E-commerce in different cultural contexts and with particular reference to the Middle East.

Day 1: Afternoon Session 4. E-Commerce (Technology issues) by Professor Chong Ju Choi

Professor Chong Ju Choi's session will discuss Emerging Industries and Economies. How the Internet is developing, especially with international comparisons. Special focus on PC-internet versus non-PC (mobile devices) based Internet. Other issues will include financial valuations of Internet and technology, winner-take-all models and knowledge management. The effect of the Internet on the world's 3 groups according to income levels. Developed/mature economies (per capita of US$10,000 or above); Emerging economies (per capita between US$1,000 and US$10,000); Developing economies (per capita less than US$1,000). Analysing how the development in the Internet internationally, and especially how they effect different countries at different income levels will be of direct importance and relevance to Retreat delegates.

Special Networking Visit - Session 5. Cambridge Science Park Briefing followed by a conducted networking tour of the Cambridge Science Park led by Peter Hiscocks, Director, University of Cambridge Entrepreneurship Centre.

Evening Reception and Dinner at Sidney Sussex College

Day 2: Morning Session 1 and 2. Global Business Strategies by Professor George Yip

Professor Yip will cover the key business strategies that companies from emerging economies, such as the Middle East, need to adopt in order to become competitive in the global market place. Topics will include:

Strategies for going International
Strategies for companies from emerging economies
Diagnosing Country globalisation potential
Global Strategies for diagnosing industry globalisation potential.

Day 2: Afternoon Session 3 and 4. Globalisation and Large Firms by Professor Peter Nolan

Professor Nolan will examine the possibilities for developing countries to build globally competitive large corporations in the face of the global business revolution of the 1990s. His two sessions will be based around:

Analysis of global trends and detailed case studies of individual sectors, including: Areospace, Complex Electrical Equipment, Pharmaceuticals, Oil and Petrochemicals, Automobiles, Steel, Mining and Soft Drinks.

Evening Reception and Dinner at Jesus College

Day 3: Morning Sessions 1 and 2. Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Barriers to Growth in Hi-Tech Firms: Lessons from the UK by Professor Alan Hughes

Professor Hughes will draw on a range of original in-depth research into the growth trajectories of hi-tech and other entrepreneurial firms to identify:

The role of sustainable management and organisational strategies for innovative growth

Key internal management and organizational constraints on sustained innovation and growth

Best practice ways to manage external financial and product market constraints on growth

Best practice ways to manage collaborative and networking competences in the innovation process

Key factors affecting the impact of innovation on bottom line performance

Day 3 Afternoon Session 3. End of Programme Discussion Session led by Dr Yezid Sayigh

Dr Sayigh will lead a high-level panel discussion that will review the themes of the Retreat and re-introduce the question of their relevance to the Middle East business community and governments.