Universia-Knowledge@Wharton

Who Is Enrique Peña Nieto, and How Will He Govern Mexico?

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:30:53 EST

The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which ruled Mexico from 1929 to 2000 without interruption, will return to power later this year under the leadership of Enrique Peña Nieto. The pragmatic 45-year old lawyer, who lacks a clear ideology but led in the polls throughout his campaign, won the country's presidential election on July 1. At the moment, experts cannot predict how he will govern. However, Peña Nieto has indicated on numerous occasions the areas that especially concern him: economic growth, security, poverty and inequality.

Confidence is High, but Brazil's Success Is Showing Signs of Tarnish

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:30:53 EST

While the economies of Europe and the U.S. slumped during the 2008 global financial crisis, Brazil's surged, enjoying a time of unprecedented growth and development. But now signs are pointing to a potential slowdown, as the Brazilian economy feels the effects of the evolving financial crisis in Europe, the leveling off of growth in China, bottlenecks created by decades of underinvestment in infrastructure and other critical areas, and the absence of much-needed reforms.

Can Free Online Courses Transform the Higher Education Industry?

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:28:49 EST

Amid a sputtering recovery that has highlighted the dearth of qualified workers in particular segments of the economy, many in the business community view free massive online open courses (MOOCs) as a key part of the solution. But others worry that students who rely only on these courses will miss out on the benefits that a campus environment can provide.

The Power of 'Active Followers,' from Mission Control to Mountain Climbing

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:29:52 EST

Leadership takes many forms, but those who are among its most successful practitioners all note the crucial value of teamwork and a strong focus on the immediate objective at hand. At the recent 16th Annual Wharton Leadership Conference, former NASA space shuttle commander Jeffrey Ashby, National Outdoor Leadership School director John Kanengieter and GM vice chairman Stephen Girsky described their own leadership experiences and what they think defines success versus failure.

Changes Needed at Avon Are More Than Cosmetic

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:29:03 EST

Sherilyn McCoy, Avon Products' new CEO, faces a daunting list of challenges: a three-year internal investigation into charges of government bribery in China; an SEC investigation into alleged leaks to analysts; possible takeover offers from two different suitors, and a stock that lost nearly half its value in 2011. Wharton faculty offer a roadmap for getting Avon back on its feet.

Haute Is Hot in the Middle East, Despite Eurozone Fears and Arab Unrest

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:29:17 EST

<> The most exclusive and expensive fashion brands have found a robust market in the Middle East, and Dubai acts as a regional hub, offering a local market of wealthy Emiratis and expatriates and a regular churn of free-spending, deep-pocketed tourists. The Arab Spring had little impact on the Gulf, and Dubai is now second only to London as the most attractive city for international retailers. Luxury retail has been growing at a rate between 10% and 12% in the Middle East in recent years, according to analysts. And in the past year, the market has increasingly attracted a number of customers from Asia.