On Oct. 30, 2024, D'Amore-McKim hosted the second in a series of events to address and celebrate the thematic pillars of our new mission, focusing on the future of global business.

The “Beyond Boundaries: Exploring the Future of Global Business” event at the D'Amore-McKim School of Business drew together an accomplished panel of thought leaders and experts in global business and emerging markets, marking another milestone in the school's mission to prepare students for leadership in an interconnected, digital world. Part of a series dedicated to exploring the essential elements of D'Amore-McKim's mission and vision, this session offered a rich array of perspectives on conducting business globally in an era of rapid change.

The event opened with an inspiring fireside chat between Devika Bulchandani, Global CEO of Ogilvy, and Ravi Ramamurti, Distinguished Professor and Director of D'Amore-McKim's Center for Emerging Markets. Bulchandani shared her experiences navigating global business challenges, emphasizing the need for resilience, adaptability, and culturally informed decision-making in a world where digital transformation has no borders.

Following the fireside chat, the panel dove into the complexities of international business amid technological advancements and shifting geopolitical landscapes. Moderated by Professor of International Business and Strategy Ravi Sarathy, it focused on economic shifts, geopolitical dynamics, and innovation. Each panelist shared insights on how businesses and global economies must adapt to changing landscapes and the role of global cooperation.

In addition to our esteemed D'Amore-McKim faculty members, special guest panelist David Vitti, vice president and chief procurement officer of Global Procurement and Manufacturing Operations for Bose Corporation, added a valuable industry perspective and emphasized how the global trends being discussed on stage impact real business decisions. “Everything this panel is talking about is extremely relevant to real-life, day-to-day activities that corporations are facing,” he said.

Key discussion topics included adapting business strategies to different cultural contexts, the impact of AI and digital tools on global operations, and the ethical considerations of expanding business into emerging markets. Panelists highlighted the essential skills today's leaders need to remain competitive and socially responsible, focusing on how students at D'Amore-McKim are uniquely positioned to acquire these skills through hands-on global experiences.

“Everything this panel is talking about is extremely relevant to real-life, day-to-day activities that corporations are facing.” – David Vitti

As with all “Beyond Boundaries” events, this session reinforced D'Amore-McKim's commitment to embedding global awareness and digital fluency into the curriculum. Students and attendees left a clearer sense of how they can contribute to and lead in a rapidly evolving global business landscape, embodying the school's mission to nurture responsible, forward-thinking leaders.

For a full recap of the discussion and insights from our experts, be sure to watch the event recording and follow D'Amore-McKim for more updates on future events in the “Beyond Boundaries” series.

“The Future of Global Business” panelists

headshot of michael enright
Panelist

Michael Enright

Michael Enright is the Pierre Choueiri Family Professor in Global Business at the D'Amore-McKim School of Business. He is a leading expert on international competitiveness, regional economic development, and international business strategy. As a researcher, he has written definitive works on the strategies and organizations of multinational companies, the impact of foreign firms on China's economy, regional clusters, and the competitiveness of national and regional economies.
Panelist

Samina Karim

Samina Karim's research focuses on acquisitions and alliances, corporate restructuring and organization design, and innovation through reconfiguration and redeployment of resources and activities. Her teaching is in the areas of corporate and global strategies, innovation strategies for established firms, and competitive strategy.
Ravi Sarathy, man with gray hair wearing glasses and a bowtie
Panel Moderator

Ravi Sarathy

Ravi Sarathy is a professor of International Business & Strategy at the D'Amore-McKim School of Business. His research and teaching interests are international business and global strategy, blockchain development and implementation strategy, family business, and industrial policy. As a host of the International Business Today podcast, Sarathy often convenes academics and practitioners to discuss trends and best practices in international business.
Panelist

Fabricius Somogyi

Fabricius Somogyi is an assistant professor in the Finance group at the D'Amore-McKim School of Business. His research focuses on international finance, asset pricing, and market microstructure.
Panelist

David Vitti

Dave Vitti is the Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer of Global Procurement & Manufacturing Operations for Bose Corporation

His expertise includes Strategic Sourcing and Commodity Management, which involves developing commercial partnerships and establishing a competitive supply base that aims to achieve the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) along with minimal supply chain risk.  Vitti oversees offices in Framingham, Mass., and the Bose China Office in Shenzhen.
Dave began his career with Bose in 2006 and has held several leadership roles within the Manufacturing and Global Supply Chain organization, including Director of Global Supply Management. He has added over 20 years of valued and proven management expertise in worldwide strategic sourcing, operations, supply chain management, commodity management, new product introduction, supply chain systems, manufacturing operations, and contract management.
 
He oversees a global organization with a footprint in the USA, Mexico, EU, and Asia. He continues to develop performance-based, low-cost solutions through aggressive negotiations across many cultures.  He has a proven track record of forging strong executive relationships globally, with a history of doing business in more than 20+ countries.
 
Vitti earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing from Sacred Heart University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. 

Key takeaways:

Real-World Business Applications: Vitti illustrated how these global trends impact real business decisions. Drawing from the pandemic's supply chain disruptions, he shared Bose's strategies to build resilience by diversifying partnerships and supply sources, especially in China, where infrastructure investments enhance production capacity.

China's Evolving Role: Enright highlighted China's changing economic landscape. With growth slowing, rising economic nationalism, and increasing political tensions, businesses are rethinking their reliance on China. This shift opens opportunities for regions like Southeast Asia, India, and Latin America in global supply chains.

Competitive and Market Dynamics: Kareem emphasized the importance of staying active in emerging markets. She noted that industries, particularly in green technology and luxury goods, can't afford to ignore rising competition from markets like South Korea and China. However, geopolitical tensions complicate cross-border partnerships, pushing companies toward alliances and new markets.

Global Financial Systems and the US Dollar: Somogyi discussed the dominance of the US dollar in global finance and trade. While alternatives like the Euro and Chinese Renminbi exist, neither currently threaten the dollar's status. His research suggests that a major global shock or technological innovation would be necessary to displace the dollar's preeminence.

Digital Currencies and Financial Networks: Sarathy explored the future of digital currencies, noting the emergence of stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). With countries protecting their own financial interests, he argued that digital currency networks could eventually transform global payments, enabling faster, more secure transactions.

Each of these perspectives underscores the complexity of navigating globalization in an increasingly multipolar world.