INSEAD faculty share latest research and discuss new opportunities for regional companies

Representatives from Masdar and Mubadala participated in the panel discussion which covered best practice management techniques from a local perspective while INSEAD faculty shared its latest global research on the topic, which is currently under the spotlight during these turbulent economic times.

Fifteen senior faculty members from INSEAD's Technology, Operations and Management (TOM) area are currently visiting Abu Dhabi to learn more about the region and to meet with local members of the public and private sectors.

The seminar comes at a time when it has become increasingly clear that the worldwide financial crisis and economic slow down has impacted the GCC to a greater extent than previously anticipated.

The first panel session in the seminar focused on managing operations, risk, and sustainability, including humanitarian logistics. The discussion included, among other issues, sustainable energy policies and 'green' supply chains. The recent McKinsey Quarterly report on energy efficiency possibilities in various regions of the world (including huge payoffs in the Gulf and Middle East region) was discussed, and Abu Dhabi's initiatives to improve efficiency, develop new technologies and introduce renewables were noted as examples of the country's impressive diversification effort from oil and of its forward-looking focus on the development of new alternative energy sources.

The second session looked at how times of high uncertainty can impact new product development and innovation management.

Professor Soumitra Dutta, INSEAD Dean of External Relations and Roland Berger Professor of Business and Technology, commented:

"More than ever, operational effectiveness and focus on innovation is critical to an organisation's survival. The rapid growth experienced by many GCC countries may be slowing down but this in turn is providing an excellent opportunity to introduce innovation that leads to organizational efficiency."

Professor Soumitra concluded, "The GCC remains one of the best positioned regions in the global economy to weather the current storm. The region must take advantage of the opportunities ahead by means of capitalising on its resources and visionary leadership."

This faculty trip signals a further expansion of INSEAD's activities in the region. INSEAD officially opened its Centre for Executive Education and Research in Abu Dhabi in September 2007 and since then, has been expanding its faculty base and strengthening its research capabilities, building competence in specific areas related to the Middle East. They have cascaded this knowledge across the institution's different programmes that are offered around the world (particularly on its two campuses, in France and Singapore).

The 'Managing People, Technology and Operations in a Changing World' seminar was attended by leading executives, diplomats and INSEAD alumni from around the region.