Rawi Abdelal keynote speaker

Rawi Abdelal Keynote Speaker: Insights on the Future of Global Economy

Background and Expertise

Rawi Abdelal is the Herbert F. Johnson Professor of International Management at Harvard Business School, specializing in international political economy and global economy trends. As course head, he oversees curriculum and program development, shaping the direction of global management education at Harvard.

He is a widely published author and eloquent speaker, with expertise in international management, global financial systems, and energy markets. Professor Abdelal is recognized for his authority in global economics and international management, frequently contributing insights on leadership in the global marketplace.

Abdelal earned his doctorate from Cornell University and his economics degree from Georgia Institute of Technology. Cornell Abdelal's dissertation was a significant scholarly achievement in international relations and political economy. Cornell Abdelal's dissertation won the Kahin Prize in International Relations and the Esman Prize, highlighting its excellence and recognition at Cornell University. He was also recognized as a president's scholar for academic excellence at Georgia Tech.

As a professor at Harvard Business School, he has chaired custom executive programs and led core course business offerings as part of the MBA required curriculum, receiving outstanding teaching awards, including the student association's faculty award.

Abdelal’s primary expertise lies in international political economy, focusing on globalization politics and the political economy of Eurasia, particularly in the context of the next global economy. Professor Abdelal's ongoing projects and contributions continue to shape the field of international political economy and global capitalism.

Global Economic Trends

Abdelal provides critical insights into the future of the global economy, helping business leaders understand macro and micro forces shaping globalization, geopolitics, and supply chains. Recent global trends have presented organizations with new challenges that require strategic adaptation.

He is one of the world's foremost authorities on globalization, geopolitics, and international management, with research focusing on the intersection of politics and business in global markets, particularly in Eurasia, the former Soviet Union, and emerging economies, highlighting the region's political and economic evolution.

Abdelal’s work addresses the challenges undermining globalization, including the geopolitics of energy in Europe and Eurasia, and the impact of increasingly polarized political systems on businesses.

As an expert in international relations, he helps future business leaders understand how world politics and the international financial system affect businesses and the global economy.

Abdelal’s analysis of global economic trends is informed by his experience as the Director of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University. As the current system evolves, understanding the transition to a new global economy is essential for navigating the shifting landscape of international political economy and globalization.

International Economy and Marketplace

Abdelal guides leaders in understanding political systems and world politics affecting business, with a focus on the international economy and global marketplace.

His workshops help participants forecast and backcast future scenarios to identify challenges and goals in the context of the next global economy.

Abdelal is praised for making complex global economic and political trends accessible and engaging, with a particular emphasis on empowering organizations to save capitalism by fostering dignity, equity, and purpose at work. These actions represent a form of financial investment in human capital and organizational culture, even when they do not require significant monetary input.

As a professor of international management at Harvard Business School, he has developed Harvard Business School cases on international business, including “The Rules of Globalization” and “Measuring Identity”.

Abdelal’s research and teaching focus on the interrelated challenges of global capitalism, domestic capitalism, and the legal rules governing international trade and investment.

Geopolitical Risk and Global Economy

As the Herbert F. Johnson Professor of International Management at Harvard Business School, Rawi Abdelal stands at the forefront of analyzing how geopolitical risk shapes the global economy. Renowned for his expertise in international political economy, Abdelal brings a nuanced understanding of how international politics and macro and micro forces influence multinational firms and the broader global marketplace. His research delves into the intricate relationships between business, government, and society, offering business leaders critical insights into navigating an increasingly polarized political environment.

Abdelal’s academic journey, beginning at Cornell University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, laid the foundation for his deep expertise in international relations and global financial systems. His award-winning research focuses on the political economy of Eurasia, exploring how shifts in legal rules, social norms, and international financial systems impact global capitalism. As a widely published author and eloquent and inspiring speaker, Abdelal has contributed extensively to the understanding of energy markets, capital controls, and the evolution of international business practices.

At Harvard Business School, Abdelal’s influence extends beyond the classroom. He has developed Harvard Business School cases that challenge future business leaders to think critically about the legal and political frameworks governing international management. His leadership as the former Director of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies has provided him with a unique comparative perspective on the geopolitical dynamics of the region and their implications for the world economy.

Abdelal’s commitment to executive education is evident in his role as faculty chair and faculty co-chair of initiatives such as the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. Through these programs, he empowers organizations to adapt to the challenges of the next global economy by fostering cultures of dignity, mentorship, and more interpersonal relationships. Abdelal believes that to save capitalism and build a more equitable future, business leaders must prioritize teaching, mentoring, and the creation of purposeful workplaces.

By equipping business leaders with actionable strategies and a deep understanding of the inter-related challenges facing global and domestic capitalism, Rawi Abdelal continues to shape the conversation on how geopolitics affect businesses and the international economy. His work ensures that organizations are prepared to thrive in a rapidly evolving global marketplace, making him one of the world’s foremost authorities on international management at Harvard Business School.

Research and Comparative Perspective

• Abdelal’s research explores the challenges undermining globalization, including the period from 1870-1914, and the geopolitics of energy in Europe and Eurasia.
• He has authored numerous books, including “National Purpose in the World Economy” and “Capital Rules”, and co-edited Harvard Business School cases on international business.
• Abdelal’s comparative perspective on global economic trends is informed by his research on Ukraine, Russia, and South Africa, highlighting political and economic dynamics in emerging economies.
• As a faculty member at Harvard Business School, he has developed a comparative perspective on the intersection of politics and business in global markets, with a focus on Eurasia and emerging economies.
• Abdelal’s work has been published by Cornell University Press, and he has presented organizations and academic audiences around the world with his research findings.

Leadership and Initiatives

• Abdelal is a sought-after keynote speaker, known for his insightful analysis on globalization, international management, and the next global economy.
• He has chaired core courses and custom executive programs at Harvard Business School, winning multiple teaching awards, including the Student Association’s Faculty Award.
• Abdelal is the former Director of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University, and has served as a faculty co-chair for the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.
• As a professor of international management, he has developed executive education programs focusing on global financial systems, multinational firms, and energy markets.
• Abdelal’s leadership initiatives aim to empower organizations to save capitalism by fostering dignity, equity, and purpose at work, and to promote a more equitable future for all stakeholders in the global economy.