Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER):
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
International Business Research
The UH CIBER research agenda mirrors the issues prominent in recent policy statements of the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC), the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the United Nations and other international organizations which call for increased free trade, along with improved financial and corporate governance reforms and the protection of intellectual property. Sustainable business practices that consider the interests of indigenous communities as well as global economic interests are also key issues impacting U.S. companies wishing to expand their operations abroad.
Cross-Cultural Issues Impacting Service Industries Abroad
The UH CIBER will support interdisciplinary research that combines experts from area studies, sciences and business to address the impact of cross-cultural differences on service industry ventures in healthcare, tourism, architecture, environmental, and financial services.
Financial Markets and Banking in Asia
In their November 2004 mid-year meeting, leaders of PBEC issued a policy statement encouraging structural reforms to strengthen banks and corporations in Asia and to continue efforts to deal with non-performing loans and monetary stability. Working through the Asia Pacific Financial Markets Research Center, the UH CIBER will sponsor research aimed at developing improved banking policies in Asia, focusing particularly on Chinese banking and financial markets.
Technology Commercialization Opportunities and Entrepreneurship in Asia
Faculty in the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship will collaborate with faculty in engineering, telecommunications technology, biomedicine, and ocean engineering to research potential markets and prepare business commercialization strategies for UH technologies to promote economic development for Hawaiʻi, as well as the rest of the U.S.
Advertising in Asian Markets
Working with advertising industry leaders in Asia, UH faculty experts in consumer behavior and cross-cultural marketing in Asia will examine effective advertising and customer relationship methods in Asia. The project will provide linkages between Hawaiʻi and U.S. retail businesses, university faculty and international advertising experts in Asia.
Issues and Business Opportunities for the U.S. Environmental Services Industry in Asia
International businesses are increasingly challenged to incorporate sustainable business practices in their ventures around the world. The UH CIBER will support research initiatives of direct relevance to U.S. international business interests vis-à-vis regulatory policies, cost management or market opportunities for U.S. environmental services and technology industries.
Intellectual Property Issues for Business in Asia
The UH CIBER will support faculty in business, law and computer science working with industry groups, such as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, and policy makers to help develop recommendations as well as technological solutions to improve the security of information and the protection of intellectual property in international ventures.
Homeland Security and Free Trade Issues in the Asia-Pacific Region
Working through the Asia Pacific Risk Institute (APRI), CIBER sponsored research will include analyses of national security policy and practices and the impacts of homeland security issues on the risk profile and competitiveness of U.S. firms. Such research not only informs American businesses about risks in foreign locations, but also highlights business opportunities relating to the introduction of new products and services to help foreign nations and firms better deal with security concerns.
Research Conferences, Seminars, and Publications
CIBER sponsored research will be disseminated through academic journals, professional publications, books and conferences. We will continue to co-sponsor the annual JIBS Conference on Emerging Research Frontiers in International Business, and support participation of faculty in a number of other international research conferences.