MBA Program

International Exchange: MBA Students from Wyoming Visit Pforzheim University

University of Wyoming (UW) MBA students spend a week touring European companies as part of a collaborative international experience sponsored by the University of Wyoming and Pforzheim University in Pforzheim, Germany. Students from the UW MBA and Pforzheim International MBA programs collaborate as part of this engagement as well. This year will be the 8th annual exchange.

The international experience is an integral part of the MBA curriculum and part of the second year MBA student’s Capstone course, taught by Dr. Joe Russo. Prior to departure, students research each company they visit, doing an analysis of the company’s business model and key success factors, as well as an assessment of opportunities and threats in the company’s overall competitive environment. Dr. Russo commented that, as a result, “students are able to ask informed questions and are able to emulate professional consultants and industry analysts. It is a true capstone experience.”

Russo adds, "An aspect of international travel such as our MBA program provides, and which is quite unique compared to those of other MBA programs, is that our students arrive with far more contextual knowledge as to the German economy and its industries. Given Germany’s tremendous interrelatedness to the world economy, such knowledge extends beyond the border and allows for an appreciation of other economies as well. Said another way, the international week activities extend my students' experiences with issues they are likely to encounter in global business settings, while also providing the opportunity for them to develop their own personal competencies of working effectively in multicultural teams."  

Overview of Past Companies Visited:

AUDI
The AUDI AG stands for sporty vehicles, high build quality and progressive design – for “Vorsprung durch Technik.” The Audi Group is among the world’s leading producers of premium cars. 

SIEMENS
Siemens is setting the course for long-term value creation through accelerated growth and stronger profitability with a simplified and leaner company structure. The Siemens of the next generation will be inspired by its purpose and will be connected by its Ownership Culture. The main aim of the Vision 2020+ company strategy is to give Siemens’ individual businesses significantly more entrepreneurial freedom under the strong Siemens brand in order to sharpen their focus on their respective markets.

PUMA
Puma SE, branded as Puma, is a German multinational company that designs and manufactures athletic and casual footwear, apparel and accessories, which is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany. PUMA is the third largest sportswear manufacturer in the world. The company was founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler.

European Central Bank
The European Central Bank is the central bank for the euro and administers monetary policy of the Eurozone, which consists of 19 EU member states and is one of the largest currency areas in the world.

Škoda Auto
Škoda Auto is a Czech automobile manufacturer founded in 1895 as Laurin & Klement. Its headquarters are in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. In 1925 Laurin & Klement was acquired by the industrial conglomerate Škoda Works, which itself became state-owned in 1948.

MANN+HUMMEL
As a global leader and expert in the field of filtration MANN+HUMMEL develops innovative solutions for the health and mobility of people. A wide range of products and services enables us to meet the needs of our customers and society.

Man Truck & Bus Company
MAN Truck & Bus, with headquarters in Munich, is one of the leading international suppliers of commercial vehicles and transport solutions in Europe, with production plants in three European countries as well as in Russia, South Africa, India and Turkey.

Heizkraftwerk Stadtwerke Pforzheim (SWP)
SWP produces electricity and district heating for the city of Pforzheim in environmentally friendly facilities.   The company has continually developed environmentally and resource-friendly energy generation. 

Clariant International Ltd
One of the world’s leading specialty chemical companies. Clariant contributes to value creation with innovative and sustainable solutions for customers from many industries. Their portfolio is designed to meet very specific needs with as much precision as possible. 

SBB
The largest railway company in Switzerland and handles the majority of national and international traffic.  The company is headquartered in Bern. It used to be a government institution, but since 1999 it has been a special stock corporation whose shares are held by the Swiss Confederation. 

SAP 
The world leader in enterprise applications in terms of software and software-related service revenue. Based on market capitalization, they are the world’s third largest independent software manufacturer. SAP has 44 years of history and innovation, serves 335,000 customers in 190 countries, employees approximately 82,400 people in over 130 countries, and 87% of Forbes Global 2000 are SAP customers. 

Vitra
A Swiss family-owned company. They make furniture and create retail environments, but also have their own Campus with buildings by leading international architects.  With its classics, Vitra represents groundbreaking 20th-century design.

To learn more about the University of Wyoming/Pforzheim University International Experience contact the MBA Program Office at mba@uwyo.edu.