Geopolitical Risks and Global Business
"When markets fragment and alliances shift, business as usual becomes business at risk."
Dr. Siyana Gurova, Research Associate & Lecturer ZHAW School of Management and Law
Political tensions, trade conflicts, and shifting alliances are fundamentally reshaping the environment for global business. Understanding geopolitical risks is now essential not only for developing strategies but for rethinking entire business models. At the Center for Geopolitics and Competitiveness, we analyze how major geopolitical developments impact companies’ operations, supply chains, and market positions. We support businesses in adapting to a more fragmented and uncertain global economy.
Focus Areas
Our current research and consulting activities focus on the following areas of expertise:
- Geopolitical risks in a fragmented economy (Innosuisse-funded project)
- Swiss Managers Survey
- ZHAW International Business Podium: A series of events that addresses political and economic developments and engages with experts and scholars to discuss current issues.
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 80,2 KB)
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)
Trans Pacific Partnership CPTPP
21.09.2023
Momentum around the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is growing, with six countries seeking membership—while Switzerland remains on the sidelines. Dominique Ursprung explains why CPTPP is becoming increasingly important for Switzerland in Die Volkswirtschaft: Waiting Line at the Trans-Pacific Free Trade Zone. (Article in German)
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2023.
Warteschlange vor der transpazifischen Freihandelszone.
Die Volkswirtschaft.
Available from: https://dievolkswirtschaft.ch/de/2023/09/warteschlange-vor-der-transpazifischen-freihandelszone/
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Enzmann, Patricia; Gadgil, Maya; McKnight, Scott,
2023.
In:
34th Annual Conference of the International Association for Business and Society (IABS), Bath, United Kingdom, 5-11 June 2023.
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2023.
In:
Rovai, Serena; De Carlo, Manuela, eds.,
Made in Italy and the luxury market : heritage, sustainability and innovation.
London:
Routledge.
pp. 251-274.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003305095-22
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Hartwell, Christopher A.; Devinney, Timothy M.,
2023.
A responsibility to whom? : populism and its effects on corporate social responsibility.
Business & Society.
63(2), pp. 300-340.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/00076503231163536
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2023.
In:
5th Edition of the Monaco Symposium on Luxury, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 4-6 April 2023.
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Zoller-Rydzek, Benedikt; Strecker, Nora; Keller, Florian,
2023.
The causal impact of trade and migration flows on bilateral attitudes[paper].
In:
4th Workshop of the Swiss Network on Public Economics, Fribourg, Switzerland, 17 March 2023.
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Gnehm, Greta; Farley, Michael,
2023.
Imagining study abroad and at home in the future.
In:
IRUAS Annual Conference 2023: Switzerland’s multicultural society: an opportunity, a challenge or both?, International Relations of the Universities of Applied Sciences (IRUAS), Winterthur, Switzerland, 26-27 January 2023.
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2023.
What is the European Central Bank supposed to do?.
Accounting, Economics, and Law: A Convivium.
13(2), pp. 217-242.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1515/ael-2020-0035
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2023.
Conceptualization and measurement of international competitiveness : the case of Swiss companies[paper].
In:
23rd EURAM Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland, 14-16 June 2023.
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2023.
Constitutional foundations of the post-communist Russian economy and the role of the state.
In:
Dabrowski, Marek, ed.,
The contemporary Russian economy : a comprehensive analysis.
Cham:
Palgrave Macmillan.
pp. 81-98.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17382-0_5