AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings - Academy of International ...

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and core international-business topics genotypically, without mathematical models, by re-creating the topics in
the context of the game. Attendees at the conference are encouraged to bring an Internet-accessible Windows
computer to experience playing the game. Steps demonstrating how the game is played are described,
accompanied by selected screen shots. Benefits to students, instructors, administrators, and researchers are
discussed. Research conducted with games of this kind should contribute to advancing international-business as
a discipline in its own right. (For more information, please contact: Precha Thavikulwat, Towson University,
USA: pthavikulwat@towson.edu)
Using Economic Indicators to Explore National Business Climates: An Experiential Exercise
Josh Bendickson, Louisiana State University
Eric W. Liguori, California State University, Fresno
Here we present an experiential exercise for use in any Introductory International Business course. As part of
their 2011 Open Data initiative, World Bank has publically made available a plethora of economic and financial
indicators from around the globe. The data catalog includes over 7,000 indicators spanning over 200 countries.
Using this newly available data, student teams are tasked with analyzing various macro- and micro-economic
indicators for two countries. To present the information gathered, students then employ Google Site technology
to create an interactive presentation of the data. The Google Sites format challenges students to think about
creative ways to use technology, and provides a challenging yet reasonable medium by which the country level
data can be presented. The World Bank data challenges students to identify what factors are most relevant, and
familiarizes them with what is arguably the leading source of global economic indicator data. Ultimately, this
exercise is useful in explaining varying global environments, country differences, cross-border trade and
investment, global competition, and data interpretation. (For more information, please contact: Josh
Bendickson, Louisiana State University, USA: jbendi2@lsu.edu)
Session: 1.3.11 - Interactive
Track: 7 - Emerging Economies
The Effects of Institutional Development on FDI in Emerging Markets
Presented On: July 1, 2012 - 13:00-14:15
Chair: Gladys Torres Baumgarten, Ramapo College of NJ
State Capitalism and Clusters: The Case of Brazilian Shipbuilding
Frank Latta DuBois, American University
Marcos Andre Primo, Federal University of Pernambuco
The success of the BRIC countries in weathering the economic downturn of the 2007 – 2010 period has
generated attention on initiatives that governments take to enhance the competitiveness of strategic industries
and to encourage the development of supporting enterprises. State capitalism is an economic model that relies
on the role of a strong central government to support chosen firms and industries with subsidies, tax benefits
and other advantages to which non-favored firms or industries do not have access (Bremmer 2010). From an
economic development perspective state capitalism is often used to redirect economic activity to
underdeveloped regions (Wickham 2009, Chobanyan and Leigh 2006, Porter 2008). Using Porter's diamond
factor model we analyze the development of an economic cluster focused around the shipbuilding industry in
northeastern Brazil. We profile the investments and incentives that the government has made in this region
with particular attention to the mechanisms and policy directives designed to support local involvement in
cluster activity. We conclude with comments with regard to the applicability of this model to economic
development activity in other country contexts. (For more information, please contact: Frank Latta DuBois,
American University, USA: jetfrank@yahoo.com)
AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings
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