Course Pack

London and Dubai March 2024

Table of Contents

Briefing

Dubai and London Briefing:
14 February 2024
16h00-16h45

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Passcode: 314912

London-Dubai-Study-Tour-Presentation

Overview

London and Dubai March 2024

United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an Arabian Peninsula along the Persian Gulf. As a former British Colony, the country had its independence in 1971. The UAE, once a fishing and pearl industry country, has grown from a quiet backwater to one of the Middle East’s enviable and most important economic and recreational destinations since the discovery of oil about three decades ago. It has seven federation of emirates, with Abu Dhabi as its capital. UAE borders Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south. It also shares maritime borders with Qatar and Iran. The estimated population of UAE stood around 9.89 million (as of 2020), of which more than 80% are immigrants and predominantly Muslims. Arabic is the official language.

 

UAE has an open market economy with very high per capita income. The government, over the years, has increased spending on job creation and massive infrastructure developments. The country practices some level of free trade zone policies that offer 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes to attract investors. It has been attracting huge investments in high-tech industries and services for the past few decades. The discovery of oil in commercial quantities and the opening up of the country’s economy have attracted a substantial proportion of foreign direct investment, with others choosing this Persian Gulf state as their preferred tourist destination.

 

Dubai, UAE’s largest, most populous and luxurious city, located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf, is home to beautiful shopping malls, ultramodern architecture and nightlife scenes. The city has become iconic for its skyscrapers and has attracted global attention as one of the internationally competitive destinations for businessmen (and/or businesswomen) and tourists alike.

 

London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with a history stretching back to Roman times. It is the UK’s largest metropolis and economic, transportation, and cultural centre. At its centre stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations. Across the Thames River, the London Eye observation wheel provides panoramic views of the South Bank cultural complex, and the entire city. London is also among the oldest of the world’s great cities, with its history spanning nearly two millennia.

 

London’s founding can be traced to 43 CE when the Roman armies began their occupation of Britain under Emperor Claudius. At a point just north of the marshy valley of the River Thames, where two low hills were sited, they established a settlement called Londinium. The first definite mention of London occurs in 60 CE by the Roman historian Tacitus.

During World War II, London suffered intense aerial bombardment by Nazi forces during the Blitz, a campaign from September 1940 to May 1941 that devastated the city. An estimated 43,000 Londoners died, and a further 50,000 were injured. More than 70,000 buildings were destroyed, and many more were damaged. However, the Blitz failed to break Britain, and Nazi Germany abandoned the attacks.

 

What is London known for?
London is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. It is the largest metropolis in the United Kingdom and the country’s economic, transportation, and cultural centre. In addition to its history, art, and politics, London is a popular tourist destination for its wide variety of museums, shops, restaurants, and sports teams.

 

London is situated in southeastern England, lying on both sides of the River Thames some 50 miles (80 km) upstream from its estuary on the North Sea.

 

As global leaders, it is vital to understand the business and socio-economic culture of countries worldwide. This course is on-field learning which will expose students to a unique experience covering the following key issues:

 

  • Review the history, social-cultural background, and political economy of the UAE (Dubai) and the United Kingdom (London).
  • Overview of UAE (Dubai) and the United Kingdom (London) ‘s economic performance.
  • South African corporate investments in the UAE (Dubai) and the United Kingdom (London).
  • UAE (Dubai) and the United Kingdom (London) ‘s economic successes and challenges
  • The degree of UAE (Dubai) and the United Kingdom (London) ‘s interests in South Africa and the African continent.
  • The nature of global investment in the UK and UAE.
  • Influence of UAE (Dubai) and the United Kingdom (London) ‘s investments in South Africa.
  • Arab and British employees’ values and behaviour.
  • Assess the risks and opportunities of doing business in the UAE (Dubai) and the United Kingdom (London).
  • The central role of politics in doing business in these countries.
  • Private enterprise and the specific challenges facing start-ups.
  • The unique and evolving characteristics of UK and UAE capital markets and related risks
  • The emergence of an increasingly powerful middle class and its impact on the consumer market and corporate social responsibility.

This study tour will expose students to different economies and cultures in various destinations. It is designed to expose the student to different organisations in UAE (Dubai) and the United Kingdom (London), including business schools, government agencies, state-owned enterprises and private corporations.

 

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

  • Develop contemporary knowledge about business practices in the UAE (Dubai) and the United Kingdom (London), which will assist them in appraising the basics and standard protocol of interactions with the business environment in these countries.
  • Critically assess the economies of UAE and UK and determine their strengths and weaknesses for doing business.
  • Compare and contrast different cultures and ways of life in UAE and the UK in relation to South Africa and Africa.
  • Evaluate and analyse business models of selected companies in UAE (Dubai) and the United Kingdom (London).

Curriculum tied to the context in South Africa

The study tour draws on the diverse experiences of South African companies in various markets. Here, the extensive use of company site visits shows comparisons between the company’s operations in UAE (Dubai) and UK (London) with South Africa.

 

Curriculum tied to context in African and other dynamic emerging market economies

The overarching objective is to identify opportunities for growth of the African continent, especially in the midst of the BREXIT, the scramble for African business ties, the US/UK-China trade war and the associated drop in commodity and asset prices. The focus is to map these global issues to the level of individual African countries and major firms therein, thus enabling students to begin to address these issues at management level.

 

Sustainability

With the use of company and institution visits, the study tour addresses the optimality of overall resource allocation in economies and its role in economic systems such as free markets and command economies and mixtures thereof in UAE (Dubai) and the UK (London).

 

Entrepreneurial action

The institution and company visits provide insight into innovation and entrepreneurial action and (managed) risk-taking, thus enabling students to make decisions at a management level.

 

Critical engagement

By focusing on examples of successful and unsuccessful business ventures in Africa and emerging markets, the course enables the student to acquire a better perspective on foreseeable and unforeseeable consequences of action and business decisions.

Course assesment and assignments

Essential Readings
  1. Balakrishnan, M. S. (2008). Dubai–a star in the east: A case study in strategic destination branding. Journal of Place Management and Development, 1(1), 62-91.
  2. Capie, F., & Webber, A. (2013). A Monetary History of the United Kingdom: 1870-1982. Routledge.
  3. Divall, C. (2011). Transport history, the usable past and the future of mobility. Mobilities: New perspectives on transport and society, 305-319.
  4. Kidd, M. (2013). A Firsthand Account of Service User Groups in the United Kingdom: An Evaluation of Their Purpose, Effectiveness, and Place within the Recovery Movement. In Addiction and Recovery in the UK (pp. 175-186). Routledge.
  5. Ulrichsen, K.C., (2016). The Gulf States in international political economy. Palgrave Macmillan.
  1. How to Use the London Underground: A First-Timer’s Guide https://londonmymind.com/how-use-london-underground/
  2. London Underground: 5 Hacks to Navigating Like a Native: https://www.thelondonmother.net/london-underground/
  3. London culture, lifestyle, shopping: https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/uk-guide  ; https://www.expatarrivals.com/europe/united-kingdom/london/lifestyle-london
  4. Doing business in London: https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business ; https://www.expatarrivals.com/article/doing-business-in-london-a-guide-for-expat-entrepreneurs ; https://startups.co.uk/guides/how-to-start-a-business-what-you-need-to-know/
  5. Doing business in Dubai: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/business ; https://www.meydanfz.ae/doing-business-in-a-dubai-free-zone/ ; https://tlz.ae/10-business-ideas-in-dubai-uae/
  6. Dubai culture and tradition: https://emirates.com and www.dubai.ae

The course assessments will be weighted as follows:

  • 75% Individual assignment
  • 25% On-field syndicate assignment
    No examination

Please note: A student is required to sign and attach the WBS Plagiarism Declaration to each assignment submitted

 

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.

These assignments relate to the following MBA themes: Context in African and other dynamic emerging market economies, sustainability and entrepreneurial action.

Purpose: Based on the above MBA core themes, students will be exposed to experiential and on-site learning; thus, students will need to contextualise the selected country and company in line with strategic management decisions.

Requirement: Choose ONE of the following assignments:

1. Provide a PEST ANALYSIS of a South African company entering into UAE (Dubai) or UK (London).

OR

2. Provide a country risk profile for a company of your choice.

OR

3. Formulate a Business plan for a South African idea that will be viable in the UAE (Dubai) or UK (London).

OR

4. Discuss your “take home learnings” from the trip:

  • Discuss what you have learnt from the amazing race; what was new or different from what you have experienced before. Please include pictures to illustrate this.
  • Please discuss each business meeting: Give some background information about the company and the environment that it operates within. Please highlight your key learning points from each meeting (at least three per meeting).
  • Please discuss any other key learning points that you gained from going on this trip. (This can be anything you learnt either about yourself, the country, the people, your fellow travellers or anything not covered in the two points above.

Instructions:

  • The presentation can be in any format you desire, be it PowerPoint, word or any other format you wish to use;
  • A minimum of 2000 words is required;
  • Please submit a hard copy to Karen Trent in the International Relations Office (IR Office, Outeniqua House) with a plagiarism declaration by 13h00. Should the circumstances not permit you to submit a hardcopy, please e-mail your submission to: You lead academics by 12h00 on the due date.
  • Use 1.5 line spacing and 12-point font (Times New Roman);
  • Please ensure that you reference correctly as per WBS guidelines.

Penalty for late submission: For every calendar day, or part thereof, that the assignment submission is late, 10% will be deducted from your mark.

Mark allocation:

Criterion Mark Allocation %
Application to the integration of theories developed and learnt throughout the MBA programme 30
Application of the theory to the relevant case study selected 30
Research and use of relevant data to complement situation analysis 30
Presentation: Referencing style, use of pictures and videos to illustrate the above 10
TOTAL 100

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is for you to think quickly on your feet. It is fun and exciting. You will be put in a syndicate group and must 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.

At the end of this exercise, each syndicate group must provide the following:

  • A brief report on the success, challenges, and lessons learnt during the exercise (maximum 500 words).
  • Pictures of the locations visited and any other thing of interest relevant to the task.
  • A short video summarising the core of the assignment (professional editing not needed)
  • Provide receipts for public transport and/or special facilities during the exercise.

Provide all the above (except receipts on a memory stick).

The tour leaders will provide details of the assignment.

 

Mark allocation: 25% (Criterion will be provided on the day of the field-based assignment/amazing race)

Assessment Weighting (%) Submission Date Return Date
Individual assignment 75%
Amazing Race 25%

Tour Schedule

This schedule is subject to change without prior notice and is to be read in conjunction with your travel itinerary.

Pre Tour Briefing (South Africa/Zoom)

Dubai and London Briefing:
14 February 2024
16h00-16h45

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88938864522?pwd=V1FsbC9rMlNIYmkrUUU4Q1N5L2tndz09
Meeting ID: 889 3886 4522
Passcode: 314912

DATE WEEK DAY TIME ACTIVITY Lunch Dinner COUNTRY
9-Mar Sat 22:20 Depart OR Tambo Johannesburg Airport for flight to Dubai X X South Africa
DATE WEEK DAY TIME ACTIVITY Lunch Dinner COUNTRY
10-Mar Sun Amazing Race (lunch included) (Yes) X
United Arab Emirates
11-Mar
Mon
 10:30 Dubai Multi Commodoties Centre (DMCC) (tentative)
Yes
X
PM Road and Transport Authority (RTA) (Tentative)
12-Mar
Tues
 9:00 Camel Soap Factory **
X
Yes
14:00 Afternoon Desert Safari trip including Arabian BBQ dinner and various activities
13-Mar
Wed
 Early morning transfer from Dubai Hotel to the Airport for flight to London
(Yes)
X
9:40 Departure from Dubai to London
13:50 Arrival in London Heathrow Airport and transfer to hotel
DATE WEEK DAY TIME ACTIVITY Lunch Dinner COUNTRY
14-Mar
Thur
 09:00-12:00 Doing Business and Living in the United Kingdom
Yes
X
England
10:00 West End Retail Design Tour
14:00 Turo
16:30 Loke
15-Mar
Fri
 10:00 Unifi ID
Yes
X
12:30 Transmission
15:00 Lottie
16-Mar Sat 11:00 City Finance Tour. Yes X
17-Mar Sun London at your leisure X X
18-Mar Mon Early morning transfer to London Heathrow for flight to Johannesburg via Dubai. (Yes) (Yes)
DATE WEEK DAY TIME ACTIVITY Lunch Dinner COUNTRY
19-Mar Tues 10:55 Arrive OR Tambo Johannesburg Airport South Africa

Itinerary

Download Itinerary

Additional Info and Contact Details

Additional Information

Do not forget your travelling documents and electronic chargers, including any vaccinations you may have obtained. Obtain the relevant adaptor when travelling outside South Africa.

 

Kindly consult these online resources for a few tips:

 

Dubai Weather:

https://www.accuweather.com/en/ae/dubai/323091/weather-forecast/323091

 

London Weather:

https://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/london/ec4a-2/weather-forecast/328328

 

Travel Tips:

https://sunsettravellers.com/11-things-you-must-know-before-long-haul-flight/

http://www.worldofwanderlust.com/50-essential-tips-for-first-time-travellers/

https://www.dubai.com/v/travel-tips/

https://fullsuitcase.com/tips-visit-london-first-time/

 

Maps:

 

https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/united-kingdom

https://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/me.htm

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/tube-map-london-underground/id320969612

https://www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/getting-around-london/london-maps-and-guides/apps

 

Free WiFi:

http://www.myfreeoffice.com/free-wifi.htm

https://www.rossross.com/blog/top-10-wifi-options-when-traveling-to-london-on-business

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.
Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef Address: Building A, Al Seef, Dubai Creek-Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 4-707-7077

Email: contact.alseef@jumeirah.com or pr@zabeelhouse.com
The Goodenough Hotel, London Address: 23 Mecklenburgh Square, London WC1N 2AD, United Kingdom
South African Consulate-General, London, UK Mr Craig Coleman, Counsellor (Political)

South African Consulate General: London

South Africa House, Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DP, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 20 7451 7299 / Direct Line: Office: + 44 207-451-7255

E-mail: colemanc@dirco.gov.za

Cc:  fredericksc@dirco.gov.za and mosoeut@dirco.gov.za
South African Consulate-General, Dubai, UAE Mr Luthando Maranjana, Consul-Political

Khalid Bin Al Waleed Street (also known as Bank Street)

3rd Floor, New Sharaf Building, Bur Dubai

Phone: +971 4 75121

E-mail: maranjanal@dirco.gov.za 

Cc: mminelem@dirco.gov.za and Kekanak@dirco.gov.za 

Company visits and activities

Visits
Company Name Website
West End Retail Design Tour https://www.insiderlondon.com/london/educational-tours/retail-design/
Turo https://turo.com/
Lottie
Unifi ID https://ui.com/
Transmission https://transmissionagency.com/
Loke https://www.loke.global/
City Finance Tour https://www.insiderlondon.com/london/educational-tours/london-finance-walking-tour/

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.

Standing Orders, Indemnity and Bio Forms

Click here to complete the Indemnity Form
Click here to complete the Standing Orders Form
Click here to complete the Bio Data Form
NB: To be completed before you leave.