Business Across Borders
MBA Students Study Real-World Operations Management in Panama
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By actually visiting the country and sitting face-to-face with the leaders, managers and government ministers, much better insight is gained than could be done remotely. - MBA student Taylor Stewart
In March, 26 MBA students traveled to Panama for a real-world lesson in operations. The week-long experiential course, “Operations in Panama: A Man, a Plan, A Canal,” taught by Professors Harry Chernoff and Kristen Sosulski, introduced the students to the challenges of operations management in a foreign country and the impact these operations have on the global supply chain.
Through detailed study of the Panama Canal and a series of site visits to private firms, government agencies and real estate development projects, the students observed how Panama has positioned itself as a global hub for the Americas. They also saw firsthand how the turnover of the Panama Canal to Panama in 2000 has sparked economic growth for the country, resulting in infrastructure investments beyond the Panama Canal Expansion project such as new airports, highways, a subway system and the revival of Casco Veijo, a major real estate development.
“Name me another class that involves sit-down meetings with national cabinet ministers, general partners of law firms, GMs of hotels, restaurateurs, employees at call centers and founders of entrepreneurial ventures,” MBA student Taylor Stewart observed after returning from Panama. “I was happily surprised to learn how much I didn't know concerning operations in the fields of real estate, transportation, shipping, banking, construction and hospitality. These are some of the largest industries in existence and Panama serves as a hub for each. By actually visiting the country and sitting face-to-face with the leaders, managers and government ministers, much better insight is gained than could be done remotely.”
Through detailed study of the Panama Canal and a series of site visits to private firms, government agencies and real estate development projects, the students observed how Panama has positioned itself as a global hub for the Americas. They also saw firsthand how the turnover of the Panama Canal to Panama in 2000 has sparked economic growth for the country, resulting in infrastructure investments beyond the Panama Canal Expansion project such as new airports, highways, a subway system and the revival of Casco Veijo, a major real estate development.
“Name me another class that involves sit-down meetings with national cabinet ministers, general partners of law firms, GMs of hotels, restaurateurs, employees at call centers and founders of entrepreneurial ventures,” MBA student Taylor Stewart observed after returning from Panama. “I was happily surprised to learn how much I didn't know concerning operations in the fields of real estate, transportation, shipping, banking, construction and hospitality. These are some of the largest industries in existence and Panama serves as a hub for each. By actually visiting the country and sitting face-to-face with the leaders, managers and government ministers, much better insight is gained than could be done remotely.”