Global Business Skills for a Globalized Economy
Antai College of Economics and Management in China actively designed an International MBA program to prepare leaders for global business success. Professor Yin Haitao of Business, Economics, and Public Policy at Antai College of Economics and Management (ACEM) actively highlights the program’s strong focus on globalization. He currently serves as Director of the International Center at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and teaches “Environmental Movement and Corporate Strategy” in the International MBA (IMBA) program.
“I firmly believe globalization is an unstoppable trend. So, we have to prepare our students for [an] international economy [and] for international business,” says Professor Yin. (00:26)
Their MBA programs prepare students to navigate international markets and lead impactful global careers. Therefore, Antai College quickly recognized China’s expanding role in the worldwide economy and adapted its education approach.
He recalls, “China is increasingly integrated into the international economy. We see a lot of international and multinational companies coming into China… We also see a lot of Chinese companies, they [are] going to another country, and try to develop their business in other countries, in Europe and in the United States.” (00:47) This showcases how Chinese companies are actively expanding their business presence in Europe and the United States of America.
Meanwhile, international corporations are expanding into China, seeking skilled local talent. This dual shift urged ACEM to build a program that prepares students for regional and global success. Moreover, today, the IMBA at ACEM delivers a two-way model focused on East-West business leadership.
Bridging East and West: The Heart of the IMBA
Understanding cultural context shapes business success in China, and Antai College teaches this early. Professor Yin remarks, “The difference between Chinese society and Western society…we have a different logic that sustains our business practices.” (02:19)
Professor Yin gives a real-world example. “Amazon has been very successful in the United States, even globally, but failed very badly in China,” he explains. (02:31)
In addition, the program addresses common differences in the Chinese market, such as human management, marketing, and local business practices. “In China, the employee turnover rate is very high, much higher than in Western society. You know, how do you manage this? These are critical questions,” Professor Yin notes. (02:45)
Through such insights, Antai helps students adapt business strategies to fit China’s unique cultural environment while developing interdisciplinary skills.
International Students Seeking China’s Opportunities
Recently, Antai has welcomed a rising number of international students eager to learn in China. He adds, “From their perspective, they want to have a close link to China’s economy. They want to discover business opportunities in China.” (01:50)
Consequently, this shift has inspired ACEM to design new courses focused on local markets and talent management. Furthermore, the school teaches that understanding China’s cultural context is essential for effective business operations. Through its evolving curriculum, the IMBA equips students to navigate China’s unique opportunities and challenges confidently.
AI and Innovation: Future-Proofing Business Careers at Antai College
Technological change rapidly transforms industries across the globe. Professor Yin highlights, “Nowadays, the speed of technological innovation is unprecedented. Every day we see new technology coming out of the lab and the universities.” (03:53)
In response, Antai collaborated with its School of Artificial Intelligence to launch an innovative AI MBA program. He highlights, “We want our students to have a basic understanding of how AI works, [and] how the engineering world works, and how the business model has to be changed to accommodate this change…so our students can be well-prepared for future technological developments.” (04:37)
Simultaneously, students actively explore how emerging technologies and industry trends reshape traditional business models across sectors. Importantly, ACEM prepares future leaders to leverage innovation instead of being disrupted by it. According to the GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey, there is high global demand for MBA graduates with AI expertise.
Sustainability and ESG: Essential for Future Leaders
Today, sustainability shapes every major business decision. Professor Yin states, “Sustainability has become an agreed-upon agenda in China.” (05:15)
Accordingly, Antai College embeds sustainability principles directly into its MBA curriculum.
Rather than isolating ESG, faculty weave it into core business courses. He shares, “ We actually treat sustainability as one of the top, very top priorities… We try to help our students to grow up to be business leader[s]. Not only can they make economic profit and business fortune, but more importantly, become socially and environmentally responsible people…We don’t treat ESG or sustainable development as a standalone topic…We try to restructure our teaching in traditional courses.” (05:27)
Meanwhile, students examine sustainable supply chains and corporate environmental responsibility in real-world scenarios. Furthermore, the GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey confirms that employers now prioritize sustainability awareness among leadership candidates.
Ultimately, ACEM equips students to lead with both commercial success and environmental awareness.
Industry Immersion: Applying Knowledge to Real-World Challenges
Professor Yin believes that students must pair academic knowledge with real-world application. He remarks, “We systematically develop a series of courses called the industry immersion course process.” (07:28)
Accordingly, he leads a course focused on China’s urgent energy transition needs. Students explore traditional energy reform alongside the rise of renewable sectors. He emphasizes, “How we should reform the traditional energy sector…the electricity generating industry…we have a rapid development of renewable energy.” (08:04)
The program also focuses on blending theoretical know-how with hands-on learning. Notably, the course groups students from different backgrounds, such as hydrogen energy, electric vehicles, and energy storage. Together, they co-design practical solutions for real scenarios. Professor Yin reflects, “They work together, [and] try to come up with a coherent solution to a particular scenario. That’s what we do to prepare our students for industry practice to get into the real business world.” (09:15)
Ultimately, this hands-on model prepares graduates to solve business challenges from day one.
Purpose-Driven Leadership for a Global Future
Antai’s IMBA program connects innovation, globalization, and sustainability into one transformative experience.
Professor Yin’s vision shapes students into leaders who decode culture, drive change, and value responsibility. He inspires students to lead with integrity across diverse industries and economic systems. Consequently, graduates build careers that span borders and tackle tomorrow’s global challenges. They emerge equipped to shape businesses that thrive across cultures and changing markets.
Antai College of Economics and Management empowers graduates to lead purposefully and create a lasting impact in the global business landscape.
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