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MBA participants glimpse Europe's political and economic heart

MBA participants glimpse Europe's political and economic heart

Political and economic experts shared their perspectives on the EU with MBA participants at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) recently, in preparation for their Themed Research International Project (TRIP) to Brussels.

Few places could be more relevant for European business right now than the matrix of institutions and lobbying organisations connected to the European Union in Brussels.

“At the moment the whole world is talking about the future of the EU,” former Dutch prime-minister Jan-Peter Balkenende told a room of International Full-time MBA students on July 2. “Do we let the euro zone break up and the euro fall apart, or do we proceed with political and economic integration? We have reached the moment of choice.”

The EU was the topic of the day at Monday's event, offering MBAs a critical overview from historical, economic and political perspectives in preparation for their Themed Research International project (TRIP) to Brussels.

A vivid picture of the EU and the euro zone crisis was painted by speakers – including the chain of events that have led us to where we are today. Speakers included Jan-Peter Balkenende, currently professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam; economist Dr Koen Berden, partner at ECORYS and assistant professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam; and Dinand Tiholt, Vice President of Capgemini Consulting where he is Global Account Director for the European Union.

The annual MBA TRIP is a key part of the Full-time MBA programme. This year's trip to Brussels caps an intensive year of learning and gives students a front-row view of the political context within which European businesses are operating.

RSM’s Academic Dean of MBA programmes Professor Jaap Spronk explained the origins of the EU as a post-WWII trade agreement for the coal and steel industries of Europe, not as political union.

Dr Tom Yannuzzi, a member of the Academic Advisory Board for RSM’s MBA Personal Leadership Development programme explained how, as future business leaders, students needed to be aware of how systems construct themselves and how they can be influenced.

Dr Koen Berden gave a fascinating economic overview of European integration and the causes of the euro zone crisis. 

As VP of Capgemini Consulting – and an RSM MBA alumnus – Dinand Tiholt sells services to the different institutions within the EU, including researching the economic feasibility of an idea and making policy recommendations.

More than 80% of legislation comes out of Brussels, he said. Most of these new policies affect business, and  described how influencing the EU requires a deep understanding of the various institutions and actors within it, from the member state representatives to the commission officials and lobbyists. Interestingly, he said, there were many more lobbyists in Brussels than civil servants: “Companies are benefiting from investing in lobbying for their interests,” he said.

Following the TRIP launch lectures on the RSM campus, MBA students left for their week of intense academic activities, which included visits to well-known companies for discussions about their corporate challenges and a variety of business issues.

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University is consistently ranked amongst the top 10 business schools in Europe. It is located in the international port city of Rotterdam where core Dutch values of openness, flexibility and acceptance of diversity have attracted businesses on a global scale. Our emphasis is on ground breaking research and practices relevant to business; our primary focus is on developing business leaders who carry their innovative ideas into a sustainable future. Our portfolio includes a broad array of bachelor, master, doctoral, MBA and executive education programmes. www.rsm.nl

For more information on RSM or on this release, please contact Marianne Schouten, Media & Public Relations Manager for RSM, on +31 10 408 2877 or by email at mschouten@remove-this.rsm.nl.