Preparing Business Students for a Changing Global Economy

When most people think about business school, they think about finance, marketing, or accounting. But for Daniel Wong, there is another subject students can no longer afford to ignore: geopolitics.

Wong, Academic Director of the Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management program at Portland State University and a doctoral candidate in International Relations, believes today’s business students need to understand far more than spreadsheets and profit margins. They also need to understand how politics, global conflict, trade relationships, and international policy shape the world economy.

“The dynamics of geopolitics, global business, and domestic politics are now deeply intertwined. Business leaders cannot treat them as separate issues anymore.” Wong said.

That message was front and center when Wong recently spoke at the Oregon–Vietnam Opportunities in the New Era forum held May 15 at the World Trade Center Portland. The event brought together Oregon business leaders, policymakers, and international representatives to discuss economic opportunities between Oregon and Vietnam.

Wong joined an impressive lineup of speakers, including Vietnamese Ambassador Hoàng Anh Tuấn, Oregon lawmakers, and trade experts. His presentation focused on why Vietnam has become one of the most important emerging markets in Southeast Asia and why Oregon businesses should pay attention.

“The reason why the Vietnam ambassador asked me to give a talk is to give the business people in this town a greater understanding to answer one question,” Wong said. “Why is Vietnam investable?”

But for Wong, the event represented something larger than trade opportunities alone. It was another example of why students and future business leaders must understand the global forces shaping industries and supply chains.

From Supply Chains to International Relations

Wong’s interest in geopolitics grew out of years working and teaching in supply chain management. Over time, he began noticing how international tensions were directly affecting companies, manufacturing, and trade.

He said the first major U.S.–China trade tensions made him realize that business schools were “missing the global perspective about international relations and geopolitics.”

In 2022, Wong decided to pursue a doctorate in international relations to better understand the growing connection between global politics and business strategy. He says the decision was about “tying all together” the relationship between business, domestic policy, and international competition.

Wong believes that understanding those relationships is becoming essential for future business leaders. He says students need to understand where domestic conflicts begin, how public policy shapes economies, and how geopolitical competition can impact the companies they eventually work for.

His growing expertise has also made him a sought-after speaker on geopolitics and global business. In recent months, Wong has spoken at corporate, industry, and international events, helping business leaders better understand how global tensions and trade relationships impact supply chains and long-term business strategy.

Why Geopolitics Matters to Business

Wong points to real-world examples students already recognize.

Recent trade restrictions between the United States and China, including controls on advanced semiconductor technologies and critical materials, have highlighted how geopolitical developments can affect global supply chains and business operations.

He explained that those restrictions impacted semiconductor companies, military suppliers, and consumer electronics manufacturers, demonstrating how vulnerable businesses become when supply chains rely too heavily on one country.

Wong believes companies today must think more carefully about resilience and long-term risk.

“If you're depending on one single country for supply or a market, your business is not robust and resilient enough,” he said.

While globalization has expanded economic opportunities and reduced poverty in many parts of the world, it has also contributed to economic transitions that affected some industries and communities in the United States.

“Yes, it lifted a lot of people out of poverty,” Wong said. “But it also left a lot of people behind.”

For Wong, understanding those economic and political tensions is critical for students entering today’s workforce and preparing to lead in a rapidly changing global economy.

Why Vietnam Is Drawing Global Attention

At the Oregon–Vietnam forum, Wong explained why Vietnam has become increasingly attractive for international business investment.

He highlighted several major factors driving that growth, including Vietnam’s focus on economic development and technology, trade agreements with countries around the world, investments in workforce development, and a foreign policy approach centered on neutrality and international cooperation.

“It was interesting to hear in Daniel’s presentation how Vietnam's public policies are driving foreign investment into its infrastructure. As a result, we are seeing Vietnamese professionals who migrated globally are now returning to work in a rapidly modernizing Vietnam," noted Associate Dean Kathy Rupley.

Wong described Vietnam as a country focused on growth and moving beyond low-cost manufacturing into technology, innovation, and advanced production.

“They want to move up the value chain,” Wong explained.

He also emphasized Vietnam’s diplomatic strategy of maintaining relationships with multiple global powers without fully aligning with one side.

According to Wong, Vietnam's non-alignment strategy provides an environment that many businesses view as attractive for long-term planning. “This is the most fundamental reason why you go Vietnam to do business,” Wong said. “They are a non-alignment country.”

For Oregon businesses looking to expand internationally, Wong believes Vietnam presents a significant opportunity because of its growing economy, global trade relationships, and strategic position in Southeast Asia.

Bringing Global Awareness to Students

As global trade tensions and international competition continue to reshape industries, Wong is working to bring more conversations about geopolitics directly into business classrooms at PSU.

Drawing from his own research and experience speaking with business leaders and international officials, Wong encourages students to think beyond traditional business concepts and understand how global events can directly impact companies, supply chains, and local economies.

“We are adding AI, but I also think students need a stronger understanding of global markets, trade policy, and geopolitics as they affect business decision-making,” Wong said.

For Wong, those conversations are not about politics for politics’ sake. Instead, he hopes students develop stronger critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of how global events shape industries, communities, and everyday life.

Through his teaching, research, and speaking engagements, Wong believes he is helping bring PSU’s motto, “Let Knowledge Serve the City,” to life by connecting classroom learning to real-world global challenges affecting businesses and communities across Oregon and beyond.