How to Increase Tourism in the Republic of Georgia?

The Georgian economy is based on open trade and capitalistic growth model centered on free flow of goods and services and capital. This free market environment is complemented by a democratic political system which renders the status of Georgia as a modern market-democracy in the global economic and political order. Georgia is one of a handful of countries which was able to transition successfully from a centrally planned economy into a market based system and from one party communism into a multi-party democracy through the well-known rose revolution . Georgia, like other emerging economies, has the long-term goal of raising the standards of living of its citizens as rapidly as possible and in a sustainable fashion. Especially given the size of its economy, this can be achieved if Georgia focuses on its core competencies and can carve a niche for itself through specialization in tourism. This paper presentation suggests that there are ways that Georgia could further expand its already vibrant tourism industry by deploying specialized private and public sector resources. In so doing and in addition to tourism, Georgia can jump start a number of related industries which would benefit from such endeavor. If successful, this strategy has the potential of delivering higher long-term growth and lowering the natural rate of unemployment while increasing incomes for the citizens of Georgia

A Measure of International Managers\u27 Mindset

This paper aims to identifying managerial mindset by constructing a cognitive or integrative geocentrim index. Going international is either an extension of successful domestic business operations or a requirement for remaining competitive. It is imperative for firms to be a part of the international market. Therefore, firms should want to know how internationalized are their operations. To gain such knowledge requires measuring the degree of internationalization, which, in turn, is related to “managerial mindset”

Activity-based Criteria on Internationalization

The world economy is moving ever faster toward a highly interdependent state in which international business is creating a global market. Often, in this environment, growth or even survival of a business hinges on its successful internationalization. Therefore, firms need to ask the vital question of how internationalized are their operations? To answer such question requires, among other things, measuring the extent of global involvement. This paper is an attempt toward constructing an internationalization measure by using financial performance and market engagement data outside firm’s home country

A PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON CULTURAL DIFFERENCE: EPISTEMOLOGICAL HETEROGENEITY AND INDIVIDUAL HETEROGENEITY ACROSS CULTURES

Most cross-cultural studies of management have been sociological type. Conventional view of cultures and sociological perspective has resulted in the assumption that within each culture members are homogeneous in their psychological make-up, logic, and perspective. Although researchers have reminded us that people vary on pivotal psychological dimensions, both on a between-country and within-country basis, these reminders were not heeded. Maruyama’s theories and research on epistemological heterogeneity, and individual heterogeneity across cultures, or as it is called, mindscape, were the exception. This paper elaborates on epistemological heterogeneity and individual heterogeneity across cultures. It suggests that researchers in international management could use this line of inquiry to expand upon our understanding of effective managerial practices dealing with cultural differences among people

The expanded view of individualism and collectivism: One, two, or four dimensions?

Recent research to analyze and discuss cultural differences has employed a combination of five major dimensions of individualism–collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, femininity– masculinity (gender role differentiation), and long-term orientation. Among these dimensions, individualism–collectivism has received the most attention. Chronologically, this cultural attribute has been regarded as one, then two, and more recently, four dimensions of horizontal and vertical individualism and collectivism. However, research on this issue has not been conclusive and some have argued against this expansion. The current study attempts to explain and clarify this discussion by using a shortened version of the scale developed by Singelis et al. ((1995) Horizontal and vertical dimensions of individualism and collectivism: a theoretical and measurement refinement. CrossCultural Research 29(3): 240–275). Our analysis of aggregate data from 802 respondents from nine countries supports the expanded view. Data aggregation was based on the Mindscape Theory that proposes inter- and intracultural heterogeneity. This finding is reassuring to scholars who have been using the shortened version of the instrument because confirmatory factor analysis indicated its validity. The findings of the present study provides clarification of some apparent ambiguity in recent research in specifying some cultures such as India, Israel, and Spain as individualists or collectivists. By separating the four constructs, more nuanced classification is possible. Also, such a distinction enables us to entertain such concepts as the Mindscape Theory that proposes a unique intracultural and transcultural heterogeneity that do not stereotype the whole culture as either individualist or collectivis

Effects of International Study Tours on Attitude toward Doing Business Globally: Assurance of Learning in Executive MBA Programs

The past two decades have experienced and realized the wave of globalization as pervasive and impactful imperative in the world of academia, and not just in the corporate world. This realization is reflected in the 2011-13 Report by AACSB Task Force on Globalization of Management Education (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business - International, June 2011-13). The AACSB report highlights broad globalization trends in management education that have drawn the attention of institutions, corporations and business schools alike, that are striving to prepare their key stakeholders (managers and students) to face today’s complex global challenges. Today’s increasingly integrated and complex global business environment has led many Executive MBA programs to address and incorporate global awareness, perspectives, and practices into curriculum instructions. This challenge led to many U.S.- and non-U.S. based Executive MBA (EMBA) programs to follow the mandate proclaimed by AACSB: “…AACSB recognizes institutions that uphold its mission and core values, work to advance the interests of global management education, and participate in AACSB’s community of leading business schools. In this context, AACSB focuses on continuous quality improvement in management education through innovation, engagement, and impact” (http://www.aacsb.edu/). Specifically, many EMBA programs have infused a global tour as an important component of the curriculum, albeit some of these programs have made such global tours as an optional part, whereas many EMBA programs have made it a required component. Of the curriculum; about 65 percent of EMBA programs require a global trip (http://www.emba.org/research_prog_results.htm)

Labor Migration Challenges in Economic Planning: A Case Study of Astana

The end of the cold war removed a major barrier against free trade and consequently, globalization of business spread economic developments around the world, created job opportunities, particularly in industrial sectors, which led to migration of many people who were in search of a better life. Newly independent countries have emerged and many have been, or are in the process of, integrating into various trade packs of the free market system. This labor migration has taken place at various levels. This work studies the attributes of domestic migration and the challenges it has created for economic and urban planning. The article outlines the results of a study conducted to understand the migration patterns into the newly established capital city of Kazakhstan, Astana, for planning purposes

Shapeshifting Capitalism: What Does the Future Hold?

This study highlights the shortcoming of present capitalism and speculates on its future shape. Shapeshifting has been an essential characteristic of capitalism that may continue. Uneven economic growth and the widening gap in wealth and income may instigate capitalism\u27s shapeshifting. The study uses two information streams to support the suggestion of capitalism\u27s possible future shapeshifting. Information on wealth and income gap is one, and technological developments\u27 dominance and consequences are the second. These two actors present two scenarios that may determine the shape of this shift. Finally, the study elaborates on these scenarios

Speculation about the Future of Capitalism

The future is unknown. A discussion of possible future events cannot provide any evidence to support it. An argument without evidence is merely conjecture and speculation. However, in speculation, we can use existing and past patterns of events to suggest the direction of possible future affairs. This paper speculates about the future changes that capitalism may take. In so doing, it uses past and present developments in sciences and the changing values. It offers two possible scenarios. The first scenario is an optimistic one, and the second is not very optimistic. One could even say it is a pessimistic prediction.El futuro es desconocido. Discutir sobre la posibilidad de eventos futuros no puede proporcionar ninguna evidencia que la respalde. Un argumento sin evidencia es mera conjetura y especulación. Sin embargo, en la especulación, podemos usar patrones de eventos existentes y pasados para sugerir la dirección de posibles asuntos futuros. Este artículo especula sobre los cambios futuros que puede sufrir el capitalismo. Al hacerlo, utiliza los desarrollos pasados y presentes de las ciencias y los valores cambiantes. Ofrece dos escenarios posibles. El primer escenario es optimista y el segundo no es muy optimista. Incluso se podría decir que es una predicción pesimist