IBA Overseas Task Force

Mission Statement:

The mission of the International Business Association's Overseas Taskforce is to provide students with realistic international business research experience and regional businesses with a valuable economic development resource. In doing so, the IBA contributes to the globalization of the Charlton College of Business curriculum.

Methodology:

The mission of the IBA is accomplished by soliciting regional businesses in need of international business research and matching the businesses with student groups capable of delivering the requested research.  Students work with the commercial sections of U.S. embassies, local government officials, distributors and representatives, retail outlets, trade associations, and chambers of commerce.  This hands-on experience illustrates the interplay of the social, cultural and political aspects of doing business abroad and helps students to appreciate how U.S. firms compete in a rapidly changing global marketplace.

Taken by 15 to 30 students as a three credit course, students examine the status of laws and policies that impact international trade including the reaction of individual countries to the efforts of the World Trade Organization to harmonize global trade policies. Students also investigate the impact of current events on the global economic system.

The field study component has previously focused on Europe, Central America, South America and Africa. Future trips are envisioned to encompass Australia and Asia. A series of orientation lectures precedes the overseas trip and upon its completion, reports and presentations of findings are made at an end of semester conference to the local firms represented by the class on a pro bono basis.