Center for Geopolitics and Competitiveness
The future of business is being written in the language of geopolitics. At the Center for Geopolitics and Competitiveness, we explore how global power shifts, economic fragmentation, and strategic rivalries are redefining what it takes for companies to succeed. We provide insights into the evolving relationship between political forces and business competitiveness — helping leaders anticipate risks, seize opportunities, and rethink their strategies in a rapidly changing world.
Leadership & Team
Continuing Education
Our continuing education programs provide up-to-date and practical knowledge in our focus areas. By contributing our expertise, we offer you optimal support to be successful in global competition.
- DAS Applied Diplomacy
- CAS Foreign Affairs and Applied Diplomacy
- WBK Diplomacy in the Digital Age
- WBK Diplomacy & Information Security
- WBK Business Skills Training - The Middle East
All continuing education courses at a glance
Service and Consulting Offerings
We advise companies, international organizations and institutions according to their needs and our extensive expertise and experience by providing customized consulting solutions. Our strength lies in solving practical business problems using scientific knowledge and research techniques. Working closely with the client, we design business models for the company and provide support in establishing a strong market position.
Our team also has a well-established business and academic network and close ties to international contacts.
Our current service and consulting activities focus on the following competence areas:
- Nearshoring solutions
We have studied the nearshoring trend in more detail and developed an IT Nearshoring Index from it, which is updated annually. This company-specific and personalized nearshoring index is able to determine optimal nearshoring locations. This enables companies to be supported in their location evaluation by means of location risk assessments. Several IT companies have already made use of this service of a customized index. - Applied Negotiation
Our International Negotiation specialist Khaldoun Dia-Eddine regularly trains companies and their employees in negotiation techniques, including an established Swiss security company. - Digital Diplomacy
The CGC develops analyses on the success factors of the digital transformation and what these mean for digital foreign policy. - Management of the office of the Swiss-Japanese Chamber of Commerce (SJCC)
For six years (2016-2021), Dominique Ursprung managed the office of the Swiss-Japanese Chamber of Commerce. The Zurich-based association promotes Swiss-Japanese economic relations and has 300 members. All six years ended with a profit, raising the chamber's profile as a key player in bilateral relations. - Secretariat for the Switzerland-Japan Parliamentary Group
Since 2016, Dominique Ursprung has served as secretary of the parliamentary group, which supports exchanges between parliamentarians from Switzerland and Japan. - Tailor-Made Study Trips
News
ZHAW Center for Geopolitics presents study on the US-China decoupling

30 April 2025
The ZHAW launched its new Center for Geopolitics and Competitiveness (CGC) on 30 April, just in time for the Aussenwirtschaftsforum 2025.
Revival of the strongman – really?

15.04.2025
In an era of growing geopolitical uncertainty, traditional toughness is no longer enough. Successful leadership in global business now demands situational strength, soft power, and strategic flexibility. This article analyzes why classic ideals of masculinity are losing relevance amid geopolitical risks—and which leadership skills matter today: (link to the article in german) (PDF 80 kB)
ZHAW International Business Podium: Ukraine – USA – EU
Switzerland is not a G-20 member - and yet it is involved

24.10.2024
Switzerland is not an official G-20 member – yet it remains actively involved in shaping global economic policy. Dominique Ursprung and Mira Braun detail this unique role in Die Volkswirtschaft: (link to the article in german)
International Business Podium

As part of the International Management Institute, the Center for Geopolitics and Competitiveness regularly organizes events with speakers from all over the world as part of the ZHAW International Business Podium. The IBP deals with current political and economic developments and discusses the topics that affect business and management with experts and academics. It is primarily aimed at our students, but is also open to the general public.
Learn more about the ZHAW International Business Podium