Course Pack

Brazil November 2024

Table of Contents

Briefing

Briefing Date Briefing Time Meeting Link
17 Oct 16h00 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88938864522?pwd=V1FsbC9rMlNIYmkrUUU4Q1N5L2tndz09
BRAZIL-Study-Tour-BRIEFING-Presentation.pptx-1

Overview

Brazil November 2024

Brazil, a Portuguese-speaking country, occupies roughly half of South America and is currently emerging from a deep economic recession which has resulted in prolonged decelerated growth. In 2015 and 2016, the Brazilian economy faced a negative growth rate due to political instability, high unemployment and unfavourable tight credit conditions (World Bank report, 2017). Despite the challenges, Brazil is Latin America’s largest economy with rich biodiversity, abundant agricultural, mineral and energy potentials, coupled with enormous internal growth potential.

As global leaders, it is vital to understand the business and socio-economic cultures of countries around the world. This course is an on-field, unique learning experience that exposes students to these key issues:

  • Review the history, social-cultural background, and political economy of Brazil.
  • Overview of Brazil’s economic performance.
  • South African corporate investments in Brazil.
  • Brazil’s economic success and challenges.
  • Degree of Brazilian interest in South Africa and the African continent.
  • Nature of global investment in Brazil.
  • South Americans (in particular Brazilian) employees’ values and behaviours.
  • The risks and opportunities of doing business in Brazil.
  • The central role of politics when doing business in South American countries.
  • Private enterprise and the specific challenges facing start-ups.
  • The special and evolving characteristics of capital markets and related risks in Brazil.
  • The emergence of an increasingly powerful middle class and its impact on the consumer market and corporate social responsibility.

This study tour exposes students to different economies and cultures in various destinations, as well as different organisations in Brazil,  including business schools, government agencies, state-owned enterprises, and private corporations.

 

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Draw on contemporary knowledge about business practices in Brazil that will assist them to appraise the basics and standard protocol of interactions with the business environment in that country.
  • Critically assess the economy of Brazil and determine the strengths and weaknesses of Brazilians for doing business.
  • Compare and contrast different cultures and the way of life in Brazil in relation to that in South Africa.
  •  Evaluate and analyse business models of selected companies in Brazil.

This study tour underpins all other MBA courses as it contributes to the overall MBA qualification by providing a capstone integrated learning experience in which students can bring to bear their knowledge of the entire MBA programme to analyse foreign economies and businesses in those economies. In addition to this, the tour directly supports the core themes of the MBA in terms of critical engagement within the context of South Africa and also issues of sustainability.

Decisions and methodologies that students are exposed to during their company visits and cultural in-country interactions—from Strategy to HR to Operations to Marketing—are expressed as the underlying issues and learnings of this course.

 

Curriculum linked to the context in South Africa

This study tour draws on various South African companies’ experiences in different markets. The extensive use of company site visits highlights comparisons between the same companies’ operations in South Africa and Brazil.

 

Curriculum linked to the  context in African and other dynamic emerging market economies

The overarching objective is to identify the opportunities for growth on the African continent,  as well as the challenges faced by African countries, such as the slow-down of the Chinese economy and the associated drop in commodity prices. The impact of these global issues on individual African countries and major firms in those countries is explored in order to stimulate students to start considering these issues at a management level.

 

Sustainability

The visits to companies and institutions that form part of the study tour,  address the optimal overall resource allocation in economies and the role of this allocation in free markets and command economies, or mixtures of these, in Brazil.

 

Entrepreneurial action

The visits to companies and institutions provide the students with insights into innovation and entrepreneurial actions and (managed) risk-taking, thereby guiding them to make decisions at a management level.

 

Critical engagement

By focussing on examples of successful and unsuccessful business ventures in Africa and other emerging markets, the course enables students to acquire a better perspective on foreseeable and unforeseeable consequences of business decisions and actions.

Course assesment and assignments

Course Assessment

Assessment

 Number

Mark

Standing Orders and Indemnity Forms 

1

0%

Pre-Trip Assessment (Individual Assignment)

2

40%

On-field syndicate assignment

3

30%

EQ Assessment (Multiple Choice Questions)

4

30%

Total

 

100%

Pass Mark Requirements  

In terms of the Standing Orders, to pass a course a student is required to achieve a final accumulative average of 50% for a pass mark, and a subminimum of 35% in the examination. When an assignment is an exam equivalent, failure to submit on time will result in a student being ‘failed absent’, with the result that the student will be failed off the programme.

When the individual assignment is designated as an exam equivalent, please specify in the heading for the assignment that this is the case. As stated above, the status of the assignment has implications for the Rules and Standing Orders. 

Assessment ONE (GL 3) – (0%)  

The purpose of this assessment is to familiarise and fully acknowledge the rules, standing orders, code of conduct and indemnity forms for the global study tours. 

Assessment

Participants are required to read and fill in the rules, standing orders, code of conduct and indemnity forms for the global study tours.

Assessment TWO (GL 1 and 2): 40% 

 

The purpose of this assessment is for the participant to demonstrate through various models and theories, the necessary competencies in International Business knowledge.  

 

Penalty for late submission: Not late submission accepted.  

Mark allocation:   

Criterion 

Mark Allocation % 

 

Application to the integration of theories developed and learnt throughout the MBA programme   

 

35 

Application of the theory to the relevant case study selected 

35 

Research and use of relevant data to complement situation analysis 

20 

Presentation: Referencing, style, etc. 

10 

TOTAL 

100 

Individual Assignment  

Answer all questions below:

Question 1: (10 marks)

Peng and Meyer (2019), A country’s institutions establish the formal and informal rules for operating in that country. Companies operating internationally need to know these ‘rules’ because these ‘rules’ differ between countries, and because they shape greatly what can be achieved and what is not possible in a country. Institutions can be formal or informal.  Formal institutions consist of laws, regulations and rules. Informal institutions consist of norms, cultures and ethics. 

Describe ONE of your host country’s economies.  Is it a market, command, or mixed economy?

Question 2: (15 marks)

Executives seeking to succeed in global markets should take into account different cultures of nations. In 1980, Geert Hofstede introduced the cultural dimensions model. Since then, it has been applied widely by organizations. 

Identify the relevant dimensions of Hofstede’s model for your host country and explain the importance of culture in international business.

Essential Readings:

(No date), Geert Hofstede: 6d model of National Culture, https://geerthofstede.com/culture-geert-hofstede-gert-jan-hofstede/6d-model-of-national-culture/  retrieved 1 June 2024

Question 3: (15 Marks)

Douglas, Wind and Pelmutter (1973) advocated four approaches (EPRG) of International Business as follows: 

  • Ethnocentric Approach 
  • Polycentric Approach  
  • Regiocentric Approach 
  • Geocentric Approach 

Provide TWO company examples of TWO of these approaches in your host country. 

Essential Readings: 

Drachal, K. (2014). What do we know from EPRG model?. Ecoforum Journal, 3(2), 10.  http://www.ecoforumjournal.ro/index.php/eco/article/viewFile/85/72 (retrieved 2 June 2024)

Field-based Syndicate Assignment (Amazing Race) (GL 4): 30%

The purpose of this assignment is for you to think quick on your feet. It’s fun and interesting. You will be allocated a syndicate group in your host country(ies) and will need to work as a team. The purpose of this assignment requires you to think out of the box and familiarise yourself with the environment. As a suggestion, download maps; know the history of the country, all online attractions and all modes of transport.  

Penalty for late submission:  No late submissions will be accepted.

Assessment Four (GL 3): 30% (End of Tour) 

The purpose of this assessment is for participants to understand the importance of behaving ethically in their professional lives.  

Participants are required to fill in a sell EQ Assessment, subsequently the respective Lead Academic will provide an overall score.   

Candidate EQ Assessment:

Self-Assessment: 

Part A: Professionalism

  1. How punctual were you for scheduled activities and meetings?
    • a) Always on time
    • b) Mostly on time
    • c) Occasionally late
    • d) Frequently late
  2. How did you dress for formal events and meetings during the tour?
    • a) Always appropriately
    • b) Mostly appropriately
    • c) Occasionally inappropriately
    • d) Frequently inappropriately

Part B: Engagement and Participation

  1. How actively did you participate in discussions and activities?
    • a) Very actively
    • b) Actively
    • c) Occasionally
    • d) Rarely
  2. Did you take initiative in group activities and discussions?
    • a) Frequently
    • b) Occasionally
    • c) Rarely
    • d) Never

Part C: Respect and Cooperation

  1. How well did you cooperate with peers and tour facilitators?
    • a) Excellent cooperation
    • b) Good cooperation
    • c) Fair cooperation
    • d) Poor cooperation
  1. How respectful were you towards local cultures and customs?
    • a) Very respectful
    • b) Respectful
    • c) Occasionally disrespectful
    • d) Frequently disrespectful

 

Part D: Communication

  1. How effectively did you communicate with team members and facilitators?
    • a) Very effectively
    • b) Effectively
    • c) Occasionally effectively
    • d) Ineffectively
  2. How open were you in receiving feedback and constructive criticism?
    • a) Very open
    • b) Open
    • c) Occasionally open
    • d) Not open

Part E: Responsibility and Accountability

  1. How responsibly did you handle personal belongings and travel documents?
    • a) Very responsibly
    • b) Responsibly
    • c) Occasionally responsibly
    • d) Irresponsibly
  2. How accountable were you regarding your actions and behaviour during the tour?
    • a) Very accountable
    • b) Accountable
    • c) Occasionally accountable
    • d) Not accountable

Part F: Adaptability and Problem-Solving

  1. How did you adapt to new environments and situations?
    • a) Very well
    • b) Well
    • c) Occasionally well
    • d) Poorly
  1. How effectively did you solve any problems or challenges that arose during the tour?
    • a) Very effectively
    • b) Effectively
    • c) Occasionally effectively
    • d) Ineffectively

 

(Lead Academic Assessment) 

Part G: Overall Behaviour: How would you rate the participant’s overall behaviour during the tour?

  • a) Excellent
  • b) Good
  • c) Fair
  • d) Poor
  1. If any, what areas of the participant behaviour need improvement? 
  2. Any additional comments or feedback regarding the participant behaviour during the tour. 
  1. Abreu, M. (2004). China’s emergence in the global economy and Brazil. No. 491. Department of Economics PUC-Rio (Brazil).
  2. Batten, J. A., Szilagyi, P. G. and Wong, M. C. S. (2014). Stock Market Spread Trading: Argentina and Brazil Stock Indexes.” Emerging Markets Finance and Trade 50.sup3, 61-76.
  3. Berg, J, and Sandrine C. (2007). The Doing Business indicators: Measurement issues and political implications. Geneva: ILO.
  4. Lael, B. and Martinez-Diaz, L. eds (2009). Brazil as an economic superpower? Understanding Brazil’s changing role in the global economy. Brookings Institution Press.
  5. Hallward-Driemeier, M. and Lant, P. (2015) “How business is done in the developing world: Deals versus rules.” The Journal of Economic Perspectives 29, 3, 121-140.
  6. Mercenier, J. and Sousa, M. C. S. “Structural adjustment and growth in a highly indebted market economy: Brazil.” 1994. op. cit (1994): 281-310.
  7. Neto-Advogados, Pinheiro. Doing Business in Brazil. Juris Publishing, Inc., 2013.
  8. Nayyar, Deepak. “China, India, Brazil and South Africa in the world economy: Engines of growth?” Southern Engines of Global Growth 1 (2010): 9-27.
  9. Peng, M. W., Wang, D. Y., & Jiang, Y. (2008). An institution-based view of international business strategy: a focus on emerging markets. Journal of International Business Studies, 39, 920-936.
  10. Sinha, M., & Sheth, J. N. (2017). Growing the pie in emerging markets: Marketing strategies for increasing the ratio of non-users to users. Journal of Business Research (May), 1-8.
Assessment Number Mark Weighting (%) Submission Date
Standing Orders and Indemnity Forms 1 0% 21 October
Pre-Trip Assessment (Individual Assignment) 2 40% 31 October
On-field syndicate assignment 3 30% 15 November
EQ Assessment (Multiple Choice Questions) 4 30% 17 November
Total 100%

Tour Schedule

*This schedule is subject to change without prior notice, please refer to the daily schedule sent in the Whatsapp group for any updates.

Pre Tour Briefing (South Africa/Zoom)
Briefing Date Briefing Time Meeting Link
17 Oct 16h00 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88938864522?pwd=V1FsbC9rMlNIYmkrUUU4Q1N5L2tndz09
DATE WEEK DAY ACTIVITY CITY LUNCH DINNER
8/Nov Fri Departure from Johannesburg – arrive in SP 08h00pm Johannesburg South Africa No Yes
DATE WEEK DAY ACTIVITY CITY
9/Nov
Sat
 9h00am Departure from Hotel by Subway to Downtown
Sao Paolo
No
Yes
9h30-11:30am Visit Banespa Santander & Bovespa
Afternoon Free – Suggested Shopping Paulista
5h30pm departure from Hotel to Happy Hour place by Subway
6h00 – 8h00pm Happy Hour – Return by UBER
10/Nov
Sun
 8h30am Departure from Hotel
Sao Paolo
10-12h00am Cipriane Water Start Up in Jundiai
1h30pm Quick Lunch
3h30 – 5h00pm WIBA Cachaça Plant – Torre de Pedra
9h00pm Arrival in São Paulo
11/Nov
Mon
 7h30am Check out Hotel – Baggages to be hosted at the Hotel
Sao Paolo
8h00am Departure from Hotel to IBS by Subway
9h00am -11h00 DIRCO South Africa Consultate
11h00-12h00 Lecture at IBS Americas – Prof. Carnier
12h00-1h30 Lunch
1h30-4h00pm Lecture at IBS Americas – Prof. Carnier
7h00pm Check in Hotel in Alphaville
DATE WEEK DAY ACTIVITY CITY
12/Nov
Tues
 8h30am Departure from Hotel
Alphaville
10h00am DIRCO VISIT – Natura
1h00pm Lunch at Ráscal Restaurant Shopping JK
3h00pm Company Visit at Microsoft
5h00pm Return to Hotel
13/Nov
Wed
 7h00am Departure from Alphaville Hotel
Alphaville/Rio
10:10am Flight to Rio
12h00pm Check in Hotel Rio
3h00pm CCBB Visit
DATE WEEK DAY ACTIVITY CITY
14/Nov
Thurs
 8h30am Departure from Rio Hotel
Rio
10h00am H. Stern Store Visit
12h30 Lunch
13h30 Favela Visit
15/Nov
Fri
 Amazing Race
Rio
3h00pm Samba City visit
7h00pm Farewell Dinner
16/Nov
Sat
 Leave Hotel at 3h00pm
Rio
Return to SA

Itinerary

Download Itinerary

Additional Info and Contact Details

Additional Information
Don’t forget your documents and chargers. Obtain the relevant adaptor when travelling outside South Africa.

 

Bring Formal Wear (School ties and scarves will be provided) and Business Cards for Company Visits.

Weather

Travel Tips

Maps

Kindly bring formal wear and business cards for company visits. The following dress code applies:

 

  • Conservative suits for men with subtle colours are the norm;
  • Women should avoid high heels and short-sleeved blouses;
  • Both men and women should wear subtle, neutral colours;
  • Casual dress should be conservative as well;
  • Men and women can wear jeans. However, jeans are not acceptable for business meetings.
SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY – BRASÍLIA, BRAZIL

Address
Lote 06 – Quadra 801, SHCS – Brasília,
DF, 70406-900, Brazil

Phone
(+55) 61 3312-9500

Email
brasilia.admin@dirco.gov.za

Dr Ayanda Magida

Ayanda Magida, a lecturer in the Chair of Digital Business (BCX) and Programme Director for the Postgraduate Diploma in Management in the field of Digital Business at Wits Business School, holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Cum laude), a Master’s in Social Sciences from the University of Pretoria, and is currently a PhD candidate in the Chair of Digital Business. Her research focuses on the digital divide and she has experience in qualitative and quantitative research, systematic reviews, teaching research methodologies and evidence-based practices, program evaluation, and implementation science. Her broad research interests include research methodologies, gender, inequality, digital divide, inclusion, and digital transformation. In the Chair, she works on the economic and social impact of digitalization, specifically focusing on the future of work, digital economy platforms, digital divide, automation, AI, and robots on jobs in South Africa in light of the anticipated Digital/Disruption/4th Industrial Revolution. In 2019, she was listed on the Mail and Guardian’s list of young South Africans in the education category.

Thandeka Mfeka

Thandeka Mfeka is a Program Manager for the Master of Business Administration Part-Time cohorts at Wits Business School.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (UJ), Honours in Public Management and Governance (UJ) and a Master of Business Leadership (DaVinci). Her current role entails student and faculty interaction to ensure that the program is delivered well, and that the student experience is representative of the WBS values. It also requires attention to detail, as accreditation bodies often require student information. This is a highly administrative role that also requires close interaction and collaboration with all departments in the Business School.

Company visits and activities

Visits
Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow) https://museudoamanha.org.br/
CCBB – Centro Cultura Banco do Brasil (Bank of Brazil Cultural Center) https://ccbb.com.br/rio-de-janeiro
Cidade do Samba (City of Samba) – Carnaval Experience https://bileto.sympla.com.br/event/69173/d/198976
H Stern https://www.hstern.com.br/institucional/sobre-hstern
Multipan Asset Management https://www.multiplan.com.br/en/the-company/about-us
Cachaçaria WIBA https://cachacawiba.com.br/wiba/
Odontoprev https://www.odontoprev.com.br/
Microsoft https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/about
Volkswagen https://www.vw.com.br/pt.html
Bozza https://www.bozza.com/
Natura https://www.naturaeco.com/

Student Commitments

Learning Contract and Student Commitments

Learning Contract

Please note, all visits and events on the global study tour are MANDATORY. Please refer to the standing orders regarding the tours. As a student you should review the Learning Contract and ensure you are fully aware of the methods and implications of the assessment approach as mark allocations cannot be changed retrospectively. If you have any concerns about the assessment you should raise this with your tour leader at the start of the course.

The Importance of Preparation for the Study Tour

The above readings should be read before departure. Students should also research on the companies that will be visited. The scope of this course covers a wide range of topics, thus a variety of readings have been carefully selected to provide different perspectives. It is essential that students focus on these readings and embark on company research. Appended with the readings are the links for ease of access. However, should you encounter any problems with the links provided consult the WITS library e-journals catalogue or consult the WBS Librarian.

Teaching Methods

Teaching emphasis in the MBA Global Study Tour is experiential and involves on-site action learning. The tour itself would entail visits to one or more destinations to provide broader international learning exposure for the student. Students should keep a learning log on insights that they gain from each business or organisation that they visit, and these logs are used for debrief sessions during the tour as well as to compile a post-study tour assignment on what they have learnt.

Legal Declaration of Indemnity, Undertaking and Consent
 
  1. The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (hereafter referred to as ‘the University’) has insured itself for its liability arising from the acts and omissions of persons acting on its behalf, and that its registered students, staff and individuals who are subject to the University’s rules, regulations, policies, procedures and standing orders as amended from time to time are insured during the course and scope of their registered courses and/or within the scope of University’s business. This is subject to the proviso that the University’s maximum liability will be limited, whether for a single or multiple events, to the extent that is covered thereof;

  2. When the University arranges for me to travel to locations which are outside of the University’s precincts, and when traveling in vehicles which do not belong to the University’s and/or are not driven by University staff, I will enjoy only such cover as referred to in Section 1 above, provided that I depart and travel from the University’s precincts and return to it from an excursion arrange by the University, on a route agreed upon in advance by the University;

  3. In cases where no fault can be attributed to the University, I hereby indemnify, absolve and hold harmless the University, its officials, employees, students and invitees in respect of any damage the property, death or bodily injury to/of myself and/or third parties, whether on/off the University precincts, or whilst engaged in any related activity to the University abroad; and

  4. I understand that I attend and participate in the WBS Global Study Tour in various designated countries around the world during specified periods at my own risk where the event falls outside the cover provided to or by the University.

  5. I acknowledge that I have read and understood the contents of this indemnity in every respect.
This document is applicable to all modes of delivery of the Global Study Tour from 2017 onward. 
 

Assessment Policy
All assignments, including the attendance of the Amazing Race and all scheduled visits to businesses, other organisations and cultural activities, is compulsory.

Failure to comply with this policy will result in an automatic failure off this course. A record of attendance at each prescribed tour activity will be kept by the Tour Leader and will be submitted to the International Office as a formal record for student assessment. Should a student fail (including as a result of non-attendance and failure to participate), the tour will have to be repeated.

A candidate who has not completed all the requirements for this tour by the end of the minimum period of study and who is permitted in terms of Senate Standing Orders to continue will be required to register again for this tour at the beginning of the following academic year and pay the relevant fee.

 

Registration for the Global Study Tour
A candidate is required to register and pay in advance for the Study Tour in order to be admitted to complete the course.

If a candidate wishes to amend his/her selection of destination, a prescribed period of time will be permitted as indicated by the Global Study Tour Coordinator. However, no changes to selection of destination will be entertained once confirmed.

 

International Applicants
Applications from international exchange and immersion students are welcome. All international students need to conform with the University’s requirements and the South African legislation that pertains to such students.

 

Credits towards MBA or MM to other degrees
Students may be granted credits for this tour at international partner schools however please note that the granting of credits is based on the credit weighting exchange between the WBS MBA and other international programmes.

 

Pass mark for this course
In order to pass the study tour, a student must obtain a minimum of 50% as a final mark subject to the subminimum rule.

 

Fees
Students must register for the Global Business Study Tour (BUSA 7442A) in order to pay the travel component cost for the study tour. Students will be advised as to the Rand value that has to be paid for the study tour of their choice. The deadline for the choice of study tour and payments will be communicated to students by the School’s International Office. Failure to pay the full fee for the Global Study Tour in advance or failure to attend the tour for whatever reason will still hold the student liable for the full amount as indicated for the selected tour package. Please note that fees may not involve the same costing as certain travel destinations are cheaper than others. Also note that whenever indicated students will be responsible for their own transport and cost of meals and incidentals on each tour. Tour leaders do not carry additional funds to allow for students who do not make personal provision for their own expenses.

 

Allocation of Marks
The mark composition for each assignment will comprise a combination of marks awarded for assignment projects and field work, both individual and syndicate work. The mark allocation for the course is detailed in the course pack.

Syndicates may apply to have non-performing members excluded from the syndicate mark for their assignment, or have a portion of the total mark allocated to the non-performing student.

 

Publication of Final Course Results
The results of the global study tour will be published by the Faculty Office as soon as possible, normally within four weeks from assignment submission.

 

Disputes and Grievances
Any disputes or grievances that arise as a result of the application of, or failure to apply, the provisions of these Standing Orders should be managed within the Faculty’s existing appeals and grievance procedure. Problems should always be resolved as close to the source as possible. The grievance procedure policy and applicable forms are available from the Faculty Office.

 

Code of Conduct
All students will abide by the daily dress code as indicated by the Tour Leader depending on the daily schedule of events and places visited.

Students are also advised that whilst they are encouraged to enjoy the tour, they are reminded that they are participating in a Wits Study Tour programme and are not traveling for their own leisure purposes. As such, the prime focus is on teaching and learning and at all times students will need to participate in all prescribed activities and field visits.

Students are advised to heed the guidance and instruction of the designated Tour Leader on each trip. In addition, students are advised to serve as professional ambassadors of Wits University and the Wits Business School at all times whilst on tour. Students are also advised to download a copy of the Wits Student Code of Conduct to familiarise themselves with the policy.

During visits, students are to ensure that all mobile phones are switched off.
Students are to be punctual for all visits, failure to attend a visit without a valid reason will render your attendance as incomplete.

Failure to adhere to the above could result in a disciplinary action being lodged against the student.

 

Recording of Global Study Tour Activities
Business visit sessions may only be recorded (by audio, images or video) with the express written permission of that organisation. Students will be required to agree in writing that:

    • recordings will only be used for purposes of their own private study and revision;
    • recordings will not be copied, shared, communicated, published or distributed in any format whatsoever and using any medium whatsoever, unless requested to do so by the lecturer;
    • unedited copies recordings will be provided to the lecturer if requested to do so; and
    • Copyright of all recordings remain the property of the University.

It is noted that infringement of any of these conditions may result in disciplinary action being taken against the student.

Click here to complete the Indemnity and Standing Orders Form
Click here to complete the Bio Data Form