The Center for Emerging Markets (CEM) at Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business is a leading research hub on how local and foreign firms can leverage emerging markets for the global good.
Founded in 2007 by Ravi Ramamurti, University Distinguished Professor of International Business & Strategy, CEM operates in three distinct areas, including a robust research agenda; significant work to influence business practitioners; and educational activities designed to prepare the next generation of business leaders.
Our Work
Seminars, workshops, and conferences for researchers from around the world. Additional opportunities for Northeastern faculty to engage with CEM.
Academic programs, learning opportunities, and grants for projects and research in emerging markets, open to undergraduate and graduate students at Northeastern.
Cutting-edge insights and recommendations on emerging market topics for managers, policymakers, and other members of the business community.
Latest News
The Center for Emerging Markets is proud to recognize three graduating seniors, Anjali Laddha, Brenda Belgamo, and Anh “Rachel” Le, as CEM Student Fellows, a distinction awarded to Student Associates who have made a lasting impact on the Center and the broader Northeastern community.
This spring, CEM funded four outstanding projects spanning healthcare, infrastructure finance, energy access, and digital health. This grant cycle marks four years of the Srinivasan Family Award program, with now 50 awards provided to 67 students over eight grant cycles.
The order isn't of immediate concern, but there could be long-term consequences, since routers used in the U.S. are primarily foreign-made, says CEM Faculty Fellow George Yip
Recent market fluctuations have prompted questions about whether a monthslong market rally is beginning to crack, or simply entering another familiar cycle of volatility driven by geopolitical shocks.
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Insights @ CEM
Insights @ Center for Emerging Markets is a publication focused on cutting-edge ideas and advice for global leaders about emerging markets. It draws on the innovative research on emerging markets carried out by our faculty at Northeastern University and the broader global academic communities. Our next issue will be released in May 2026. Briefs from the upcoming issue are highlighted below!
Corruption and high tariffs are making it harder for construction companies to pursue sustainability. This brief shows how weak governance and costly trade barriers discourage investment in greener practices, while stronger intellectual property protections can help firms stay innovative and committed to long-term sustainable development.
India's pharmaceutical industry reinvented itself after stricter global patent rules threatened its original business model. By combining smart government policy, affordable medicine goals, and high-quality generic drug production, India adapted successfully and became one of the world's leading pharmaceutical exporters.
Valderrey, Trigos, and Kaltenecker show that China's Belt and Road Initiative is driven less by building new infrastructure and more by acquiring existing assets through mergers and acquisitions. Analyzing Chinese outward investment from 2005 to 2021, they find that nearly three-quarters of total investment value went toward acquisitions rather than greenfield projects. While the BRI is often portrayed as a vast construction effort, the study suggests that Chinese firms frequently enter foreign markets by purchasing existing companies, ports, and infrastructure. These findings highlight the need for emerging market leaders to prepare not only for construction projects, but also for the legal, cultural, and negotiation challenges that come with changing ownership.
