Evolving Perceptions Concerning the Structures of the Local Economy: How Short Study Abroad Programs Can Impact Business Conduct

This essay proposes a systemic model to address changes in students' business perceptions through short study-travel abroad experiences. It is argued that these short study/travel experiences, particularly to a developing country like Mexico, lead to changes in students' perceptions concerning business practices at home and abroad. Moreover, student's perceptions regarding business protocols and behavior in the context of a developing country can have an influential effect on how businesses, especially corporations, respond to the wellbeing of individuals and communities, which aims at igniting further discussion in regard to corporate social responsibility at home and overseas. The model proposed herein suggests that changes in these perceptions contribute partly to further equipping future leaders with awareness on the struggle for basic needs in several developing countries, namely: access to potable water, food, shelter, healthcare, literacy, and a sound management of natural capital, among others. This essay aims at fostering a vision of social and environmental stewardship in leaders by addressing the interplay between how businesses operate and behave in a foreign country, and the socioeconomic conditions prevalent in that host country, e.g. Mexico. The ideas reflected in this paper are mainly based on a one-week intercultural study/travel experience that took place in May of 2005 and was lead and coordinated by the author.