D'Amore-McKim School of Business Professor of International Business and Strategy and Group Coordinator Christopher Robertson was recently selected as a Fulbright Scholar, his third time receiving the prestigious honor.
Robertson will serve as a Fulbright Senior Specialist in Bogota, Colombia, in June 2017. He will be hosted by the Universidad del Rosario and work with the Universidad Escuela de Administracion y Finanzas Instituto Tecnológico in Medellin. Robertson plans to continue an ongoing research project related to patterns of cultural differences within Latin America. He will also be a guest lecturer and collaborator on case studies during his time there.
Senator J. William Fulbright started the Fulbright Program in 1946 so that U.S. and foreign scholars could facilitate mutual understanding and spread the exchange of knowledge worldwide.
“It's an honor to be part of such a powerful program that has been life changing to many communities around the world,” said Robertson.
Robertson has a longstanding connection to Latin America. His previous two Fulbright grants were in Lima, Peru, in 2004 and 2006.
“I first went to South America in 1992 and spent two years in Ecuador,” he said. “I didn't know then that I would have a love affair with the continent and go back every year.”
In addition to research endeavors in the region, Robertson brings students to Chile and Peru for international field studies where they visit businesses, non-profits, universities, and government offices to inform their semester projects. Students ultimately create proposals and strategies for U.S. companies to enter the Peruvian or Chilean market for the first time.
The project pushes students to examine cultural issues and different tactics for analyzing target markets, competition, and regulations on an international level – a key focus of Robertson's research. He hopes to develop additional contacts for academic research and student projects during his time in Colombia this summer.
“I'd like to collaborate and build new relationships between Northeastern and Colombia,” said Robertson. “It is gratifying to be recognized for my long-term focus on Latin America, and I'm starting to benefit from the fruits of my labor.”