IBUS 706 Business Practices in India — Winter Break Study Abroad
December 28, 2007 - Jan. 8, 2008

The Indian economy is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and is likely to become one of the world's top three markets even before 2050, the Goldman Sachs' prediction. Like most emerging markets, family businesses have played a significant role in this development. A conglomerate of businesses spanning various industries, these companies have close ties to the government and to their communities and are often courted as joint venture partners for incoming foreign investment.

This course will focus on the business climate in India, including an introduction to its culture, history, and economic environment. This class will expose you to economic, political and cultural aspects of this growing market and the impact rapid growth and economic transformation are having on Indian Family Businesses. Not to be confused with small businesses in the United States, these Indian "family" businesses include the Tatas (India's largest private group with 96 companies in various industries), Mittals (Lakshmi was named "Person of the Year" by the Financial Times in 2006 and the company is the world's largest steel producer), Ambanis (their firm, Reliance, went from zero to being the largest in India within 30 years), Birlas (mavens of manufacturing and leaders in corporate governance issues and corporate philanthropy) etc.

Much of the coursework and site visits will take place in Hyderabad, India's fifth largest city, which has emerged as a hub of IT, BPO and biotech. The program will also include a visit to New Delhi, where participants will visit government offices, business organizations and small businesses. A cultural program will also be included, with students visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra.

The host school is the India School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad. The ISB has formal affiliations with The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and London Business School (LBS).

Information Session: Sept. 10, 10:00 AM, Summerfield 507. Coffee and Donuts will be available, courtesy of KU CIBER.

For further information on course content, contact the faculty leader, Professor Sanjay Mishra, at . For applications or other information, contact the KU CIBER, 207 Summerfield Hall, (785) 864-4616 or email

NON-KU STUDENTS are welcome to attend the course but will need to be enrolled as non-degree seeking KU students in order to receive credit. Once you have applied and been accepted, the Office of Study Abroad will send you a packet that includes a form to apply for non-degree status.

Click here to view information on the the 2005 India trip.