On 17th January, the Faculty of Business invited Professor Edy Wong, Associate Dean of Business School of University of Alberta, to become a Distinguished Professor of the Faculty of Business at City University of Macau and give a seminar on "When East meets West: The Influence of Culture on International Business".
Professor Edy Wong was warmly welcomed by Professor Eva Khong, the Executive Associate Dean of the Faculty of Business. She highlighted Professor Edy Wong's academic and administrative background and experience to the seminar audience. Professor Wong, a researcher and practitioner in international business, was a recipient of a Governor General's Medallion and the Chongqing Friendship Award in 2013. He has produced numerous scholarly articles on China over the years and is author of the SCMP designation program in Canada, for which he won a Fellow's Award from the Supply Chain Management Association of Canada and the Garner –Thémoin Award of IFPSCM (International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Chain Management). Professor Edy Wong's business experience includes past and current corporate directorships in Hong Kong and China, and the presidency of the Hong Kong - Canada Business Association (Edmonton). He has served as advisor to the China Petroleum Equipment Manufacturers Association, Shenzhen Logistics Association, and Temco Energy of Kazakhstan. Professor Edy Wong was invited to become a Distinguished Professor of the Faculty of Business in recognition of his great academic contributions. Professor Khong, Executive Associate Dean of the Faculty of Business, presented him with a certificate and souvenir.
Professor Edy Wong indicated that the globalization of business today was accompanied by the rise of Asia and China. The rapid growth in global trade and investment presents many hurdles to international expansion for businesses as they venture across cultural boundaries. As they progressed from trade to direct investment in the West, many Asian businesses were encountering cultural shock in dealing with their new market environments. The presentation addressed the foundational differences between Western and Eastern cultures and the impact of these on international business for Asian businesses as they deepened their involvement abroad. Professor Edy Wong discussed how cultural differences would affect M & A outcomes, market entry strategy, work force management, and government – business relations.