China has been hailed as the economy of the 21st Century, set to overtake the American economy within less than a decade. However, the market is still institutionally immature and poses considerable risks for investors. In addition, China has embarked on its own globalization agenda with the Belt and Road Initiative as its base. The talk discussed the opportunities and threats of the Chinese economy and the prospects for its future development.

Dr. Ilan Alon is Professor of Strategy and International Marketing at the University of Agder, Norway, and visiting scholar at the Jack Austin Centre for Asia Pacific Business Studies at SFU’s Beedie School of Business. Prior to this, Dr. Alon was also a visiting scholar at Harvard University and Georgetown University.

Alon’s teaching and consulting work spans the globe covering America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He has taught in top business programs globally, including Shanghai JiaoTong University (China), EM Lyon (France), Ben Gurion University (Israel), Bilkent University (Turkey), and MIB (Italy), among others.

Alon research includes global franchising, political risk assessment and the globalization of Chinese enterprises. He authored numerous peer reviewed articles including ones appearing in Journal of International Marketing, Harvard Business Review and Corporate Governance: An International Review and books such as Global Marketing (McGraw-Hill, 2012), Global Franchising Operations Management: Cases in International and Emerging Markets Operations (FT Press, 2012), Franchising Globally: Innovation, Learning and Imitation (Palgrave, 2010), Service Franchising: A Global Perspective (Springer, 2005), Chinese International Investments (Palgrave, 2013), Chinese Entrepreneurs (Edward Elgar, 2009), China Rules (Palgrave, 2009), Globalization of Chinese Enterprises (Palgrave, 2008), among other books, such as his latest on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (Palgrave, 2018).
Alon has consulted both multinational businesses and government organizations relating to marketing and international business issues. Among his clients are USAID, Darden, Disney, illy, and Orlando International Airport.