Course Pack

New York and Dubai November 2023

Briefing

Briefing for New York/Dubai 20 October 2023 19h00-20h00

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82236894608?pwd=bXdWcG80ZFJweUpnVGc5QzZ4cTdzdz09

Meeting ID: 822 3689 4608

Passcode: 555747

New York and Dubai Study Tour BRIEFING Presentation.pptx

Overview

New York and Dubai

United States of America (USA) is a federal country of 50 states covering a vast area of North America. By total area, USA is the third largest in the world covering 9.8 million square kilometers with an estimated population of 350 million people as of 2016. The capital is Washington D.C. USA is a highly developed economy with the largest nominal GDP. It is ranked competitively high in several socioeconomic measures such as human development, socioeconomic performance, productivity, financial market development and many more.

The history of New York (one of the busiest economic hubs of USA) begins around 10,000 BC, when the first Native Americans arrived. By 1100 AD, New York’s main native cultures, the Iroquoian and Algonquian, had developed. European discovery of New York was led by the French in 1524 and the first land claim came in 1609 by the Dutch. As part of New Netherland, the colony was important in the fur trade and eventually became an agricultural resource, thanks to the patroon system. In 1626, the Dutch bought the Island of Manhattan from Native Americans. England, in 1664 renamed the colony New York, after the Duke of York (later James II & VII.) New York City gained prominence in the 18th century as a major trading port in the Thirteen Colonies.

New York is divided into five boroughs – Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, and Manhattan. The latter borough is where you will find most of the city’s top attractions, such as the Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square, the Chrysler Building and more; and ferries to the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island depart from Lower Manhattan. For the best views of Manhattan, it is said one is to visit the Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Centre.

New York City is about 300 square miles in size. In the city, one mile is roughly equal to 20 streets, with one avenue equivalent to three streets in length. During your walk in the city, you will notice that the Village and SoHo lack the super-tall skyscrapers that other sections of the city have. This is because the middle of the city is situated on soft soil that is not conducive to skyscraper construction. According to NY.com, “The southern tip and center of the island are virtually solid granite.” Because of this geologic arrangement, Manhattan’s tallest buildings are located in these two large “rocky” areas.”

United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an Arabian Peninsula country situated along the Persian Gulf. As a former British Colony, the country had its independence in 1971. UAE, once a fishing and pearl industry country, has grown from a quiet backwater to one of Middle East’s enviable and most important economic and recreational destination since the discovering 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 5.95 million (as of 2016), of which 88% are immigrates 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 increase 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. For the past few decades, it has been attracting huge investments in high technological industries and services. The discovery of oil in commercial quantities and the opening up of the country’s economy have attracted 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 tourist alike

As global leaders, it is vital to understand business and socio-economic culture of countries around the world. 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 USA (New York) and UAE (Dubai).
Overview of USA (New York) and UAE (Dubai)’s economic performance.
South African corporate investments in USA (New York) and UAE (Dubai).
USA (New York) and UAE (Dubai) economic success and challenges
Degree of USA (New York) and UAE (Dubai) interest in South Africa and the Africa continent.
Nature of global investment in USA and UAE.
Influence of UAE and North America’s investment in South Africa.
Arab and American employees’ values and behaviours.
Assess the risks and opportunities of doing business in USA (New York) and UAE (Dubai).
The central role of politics in doing business in these countries.
Private enterprise and the specific challenges facing start-ups.
The special and evolving characteristic of USA 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.

Learning Outcomes

This study tour will provide students with exposure to different economies and cultures in various destinations. It is designed to expose the student to different organisations in USA (New York) and UAE (Dubai) including business schools, government agencies, state owned enterprises and private corporations.

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

Develop contemporary knowledge about business practices in USA (New York) and UAE (Dubai) which will assist them to appraise the basics and standard protocol of interactions with the business environment in these countries.
Critically assess the economies of USA and UAE and determine their strengths and weaknesses for doing business.
Compare and contrast different cultures and the way of life in USA and UAE as in relation to South Africa and Africa as a whole.
Evaluate and analyse business models of selected companies in USA (New York) and UAE (Dubai).

Addressing the Core Themes of the Tour

Curriculum tied to the context in South Africa

The study tour draws on 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 USA (New York) and UAE (Dubai) 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 US-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 USA (New York) and UAE (Dubai).

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

Ulrichsen, K.C., (2016). The Gulf States in international political economy. Palgrave Macmillan.
Bogart, E.L., (2016). The economic history of the United States. Wentworth Press.
Burner, D., Bernhard, V., Kutler, S.I., (2005). Firsthand America: A history of the United States. Wiley-Blackwell.

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)

Briefing for New York/Dubai 20 October 2023 19h00-20h00

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82236894608?pwd=bXdWcG80ZFJweUpnVGc5QzZ4cTdzdz09

Meeting ID: 822 3689 4608

Passcode: 555747

Destination 1

DATE	WEEK DAY	TIME	ACTIVITY	COUNTRY	Links
4-Nov	Sat		Depart OR Tambo Johannesburg Airport	SA

Destination 2

DATE	WEEK DAY	TIME	ACTIVITY	COUNTRY	Links
5-Nov	Sun	13h55	Arrive New York	USA
5-Nov	Sun	13h55	Arrive New York
6-Nov	Mon	10h00-15h00	Amazing Race (Lunch Included)
6-Nov	Mon	15h00-20h00	The Tonight Show -Jimmy Fallon (special invitation only)		https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tonight_Show
7-Nov	Tues		SA Consul Visit: Doing Business in USA and AGOA
7-Nov	Tues		Lunch Included		https://www.un.org/en/
7-Nov	Tues	13h00-15h00	UN Visit Address .		https://www.un.org/en/
7-Nov	Tues	15h00-20h00	The Tonight Show -Jimmy Fallon (special invitation only)		https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tonight_Show
8-Nov	Wed	9h00-11h00	Doing Business and Living in the United States
8-Nov	WED	12h00-17h00	Lunch Included at Henry Shein
8-Nov	WED	12h00-17h00	Henry Schein		https://henryschein.co.za/our-history/
8-Nov	Wed	17h00-19h00	Henry Schein Cocktail Event with Chairman: Stanley Bergman		https://investor.henryschein.com/news-releases/news-release-details/henry-schein-chairman-ceo-stanley-bergman-shares-life-lessons
9-Nov	THURS	10h00-12h00	IQ4 TALK: CYBER-SECURITY AND THE SKILLS CHALLENGE By Frank Cicio, Founder and CEO of iQ4 platform Equivico 43 W 23rd Street, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10010		www.iq4.com
9-Nov	Thurs		Lunch Included
9-Nov	THU	12H00-16H00	Simon Property Group Simon Property Group, Inc.		https://www.simon.com/
9-Nov	Thurs	16h00-20h00	The Tonight Show -Jimmy Fallon (special invitation only)		https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tonight_Show
10-Nov	FRI	10h40	Depart For Dubai

Destination 3

DATE	WEEK DAY	TIME	ACTIVITY	COUNTRY	Links
11-Nov	SAT	08h10	Leisure (Lunch and Dinner Excluded)	Dubai
12-Nov	Sun	9h00	Dubai International Airport (Tentative)		https://www.dubaiairports.ae/corporate/
	Sun	12h00	Lunch Included
12-Nov	Sun	13h00	Emirates (Tentative)		https://www.emirates.com/za/english/about-us/
13-Nov	Mon	9h00	Company Visit: Camel Soap Factory Venue: Units D1-2, Light Industrial Units, Phase 6, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates		https://www.thecamelsoapfactory.com/
	Mon	12h00	Lunch excluded
13-Nov	Mon		Desert Safari with BBQ: Desert Safari trip including Arabian BBQ dinner and various activities

Destination 4

DATE	WEEK DAY	TIME	ACTIVITY	COUNTRY	Links
14-Nov	Tue	10h10	Depart for South Africa	SA

Itinerary

Additional Info and Contact Details

Additional Information

Do not forget your travelling documents and electronic chargers. Obtain the relevant adaptor when travelling outside South Africa. Kindly consult these online resources for a few tips:

New York Weather:

https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/new-york-ny/10007/november-weather/349727

Dubai Weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/ae/dubai/323091/november-weather/323091

Travel Tips:

https://sunsettravellers.com/new-york-city-tips/

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

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

Maps:

https://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/us.htm

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

Free WiFi:

https://freetoursbyfoot.com/find-free-wifi-new-york/

Dress Code

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.

Emergency Contacts



South African Consulate-General, New York, USA	South African Consulate General: New York 333 East 38th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10016 Phone: +1 (212) 213-4880/ +1 (917) 200-8396 Email: consular.ny@dirco.gov.za
South African Consulate-General, Dubai, UAE	Khalid Bin Al Waleed Street (also known as Bank Street) 3rd Floor, New Sharaf Building, Bur Dubai Phone: +971 4397-5222 Email: dayag@dirco.gov.za/baarda@dirco.gov.za/MoodleyT2@dirco.gov.za
Dr Renee Horne (Lead Academic)	Phone: Email:
Dr Pius Oba (Academic)	Phone: Email:

Lead Academics

Dr Renee Horne is an International Political Economist. She joined WBS in September 2013 as a Senior Lecturer in Economics and Business in Africa. She is also the WBS Management Advancement Programme Director, Chairperson for the South African Supplier Diversity Council (SASDC) South African Broadcasting Corporation Non-Executive Director and a member of the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa. Dr Horne is also a Senior Associate at the University of Johannesburg, School of Leadership. Dr Horne holds five degrees, three degrees (BA – Law, Hons, MA) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and two degrees (MSc and PhD – IPE) from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. Her area of interest is Business in Africa, BRICS economies, Macroeconomic Policy and Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment.

Experience: With more than 20 years’ experience as an award-winning political journalist, war correspondent, editor and political economist, Dr Horne has been acknowledged by government, business and academics as an expert political economist and journalist on Sub Saharan Africa and the Middle East.

Internationally, Dr Horne has advised governments, media, and business on the political and economic policy of South Africa, Iraq, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Uganda. She has worked extensively in regions and countries such as East Africa, Southern Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the United States and Brazil, etc. Dr Horne has worked with institutions such as Transparency International, Delta Economics, Royal Africa Society, Exclusive Analysis, Royal United Services Institute, BBC, SKY, ITV, SABC and the World Entrepreneur Society.

During this period, she interviewed politicians and high-profile personalities such as South African Presidents, Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Jacob Zuma, former Finance Minister, Trevor Manuel, former Palestinian National Authority (PNA) President, Yasser Arafat and former Israeli Prime Minister, Shimon Peres. Since 1994, Dr Horne has been a lecturer and guest speaker on Political Economy and International Relations in Africa and the Middle East at numerous institutions such as SOAS, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the University of Rhodes and Johannesburg University, John Hopkins University, and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Washington DC. Passionate about enterprise and skills development, she was also the Head of the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Unit.

Dr Pius Oba

Dr Oba is a leading engineer and seasoned operations management, digital technology and energy expert with over 25 years of high level technical, business, research and management experience in power, oil & gas, supply chain and manufacturing, both in South Africa and abroad.

Dr Oba, holds a doctorate degree (PhD) in Industrial Engineering from University of the Witwatersrand, an MBA from the Wits Business School and LLB from Unisa, among other engineering certificates and qualifications. He is a registered professional engineer with the engineering council of South Africa (ECSA) and among the few engineers in South Africa registered in the International Register of Engineers (IntPE). Engineering, business and legal background has given him exposure and the capacity to work on highly complex projects. Presently, Senior Lecturer at the Wits Business School in the Technology and Operations Management (TOM) team.

Dr Oba started his career at Shell Petroleum Development Company, in 1992 as trainee engineer and progressed to senior engineer responsible for pipeline projects and new venture creation. Thereafter, he joined Wits University as a Lecturer in the School of Mechanical Engineering for about 5 years and from there to the CSIR. His experience at the CSIR and involvement within academia as a lecturer in the School of Mechanical Engineering helped him build strong research capacity and collaborations across industries. He then joined Eskom from the CSIR, where he managed a team of specialist and engineers as section manager and Chief Engineer and implemented knowledge sharing processes in a highly complex environment, as well as processes for optimal project management. In 2013, he joined General Electric (GE) – Oil & Gas, where he worked as African Region Manager overseeing capital drilling equipment remanufacturing. In the role, he re-engineered the machinery maintenance business model, saving the company huge amount of money. This model was then adopted in other territories of the business. In the role he was able to create strong teams of competent individuals who were focused on delivery.

Dr Oba has supervised a number of postgraduate students and published a number of papers in reputable journals.

Company visits and activities

Visits

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.

Acknowledgement of Limitation of Liability

Legal Declaration of Indemnity, Undertaking and Consent

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;
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;
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
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.
I acknowledge that I have read and understood the contents of this indemnity in every respect.

Standing Orders for Wits Business School Study Tours

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.

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

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