Global Development Initiative (GDI)

students working and speaking at the Global Development Initiative (GDI)

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Jindal School students presenting a business plan for Global Development Initiative

Mission

The Global Development Initiative (GDI) program is a practicum, a major component of a required semester-long undergraduate class IMS4350 Global Market Entry Strategies at the Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas. The program involves developing defined market research and other market entry strategies for companies domiciled outside the USA that have a goal of entering the USA market and equipping students with the necessary skills to succeed and navigate the complex global business environment.

Companies by Country

graphic of world map showing GDI companies by country
Since the inception of the GDI Program, 38 Companies from 14 countries have participated in the GDI Program.

GDI Testimonials

GDI Student – Swedish Company

GDI Student – Swedish Company, Class of Spring 2021 (Building Sensors, Internet of Things)

Worked as the Project Lead of the GDI program, we have learned to provide insightful research concerning market analysis, entry strategies, and industry channels for an international IoT solutions company. I learned valuable skills relating to managerial operations, team coordination, project coordination, and creating a productive environment for my team and company. I utilized all facades of my college education concerning disciplines of marketing, HR management, managerial accounting, business models and strategies, finance, organizational behavior, and international business.

GDI Student – Republic of Korea Company

GDI Student – Republic of Korea Company, Class of Fall 2020 (Medical Devices)

One of the most formative experiences I had in college was working as a part of the Global Development Initiative. GDI is a program where students conduct market research on foreign small and medium enterprises looking to expand their businesses in Texas. I first came across the program in my freshman year and was immediately intrigued by the chance to interact with clients from around the world.

GDI Student – Swedish Company

GDI Student – Swedish Company, Class of Spring 2022 (Rural Broadband Development)

I am extremely pleased that I was able to participate in the Global Development Initiative (GDI) internship program. For me, the experience was wonderful and enlightening in many ways. Having to meet mentors and interns who have their distinct individuality, but share a similar cooperative motivation was a first for me. There was never a lack of moments in our collaborations, whether we were serious about accomplishing our goals or laughing about random topics that I would have never expected to appear.

GDI Student – UK Company

GDI Student – UK Company, Class of 2021 (Human Resources Management)

Accepting the offer to be a part of the Global Development Initiative in January 2021 was a great decision that helped me grow immensely. The administrators of the program did a great job structuring the program to make good progress, as well as facilitating an effective online collaboration between the companies.

GDI Student – Japanese Company

GDI Student – Japanese Company, Class of Spring 2022 (Building Hardware Manufacturer)

The Global Development Initiative was an experience I’ll never forget. My team and I had the pleasure of working with a Japanese manufacturer. We learned how to navigate meetings that take place in different time zones and had a successful project despite the presence of a language barrier. Through this internship, I gained hands-on experience conducting extensive marketing research. My team and I learned how to work together despite our busy schedules and put together a final product we are very proud of.

GDI Student – Canadian Company

GDI Student – Canadian Company, Class of Fall 2020 (Renewable Energy)

We have conducted market research with the GDI program to help an overseas partner company, to establish a business in the U.S. Through this three-month-long program, not only for the oil & gas industry, but we also gained knowledge for the landfills, telecom, and agriculture industries. I am grateful to be part of the GDI program. Thank you to the University of Texas at Dallas, Center for Global Business for the learning opportunities and support to complete the materials. I discovered so much about the industries in Texas that I did not know about before.

GDI Student – Swedish Company

GDI Student – Swedish Company, Class of Spring 2022 (Rural Broadband Development)

Thank you, Mr. Howorth! And I also want to say thank you for all the help and opportunity you provided me during the Global Development Initiative in 2022. That experience has been priceless during my job interviews as it gave me first-hand involvement working on data procurement and consultation. It was always a talking point and helped me get my current job at Murphy Oil Corporation, so I truly appreciate what you and Professor Zydorek did for us during that course! Thank You!

GDI Student – Israeli Company

GDI Student – Israeli Company, Class of Spring 2023 (All Terrain Vehicles)

I had the pleasure of being a project leader alongside my team members, coach, and mentor. We gained meaningful international business experience in a domestic learning environment. Various skills such as time management, business meeting conduction, and industrial research were utilized. It is one thing to take classes and learn about global business, it is another thing to be engaged in consultation with an international company.

GDI Student – Korean Company

GDI Student – Korean Company, Class of Spring 2021 (Medical Device)

Joining the Global Development Initiative program this semester has been an experience and decision that has allowed me to not only learn but apply the knowledge gained from my classes. Alongside my team, we were able to provide our client Company with market entry strategies and conduct market research, and we were able to obtain a closer, in-depth look into the healthcare industry.
See all Student GDI Testimonials

Goals and Benefits

The Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas offers nine Bachelor of Science degree programs (all requiring 120 semester credit hours) and prepares students for the world of business and best practices. These nine Bachelor of Science programs are listed in the left and top navigation menus.

  • The Students learn how to conduct market analysis, apply global skillsets, and prepare recommendations for companies for company consideration.
  • The Students apply theory learned in previous courses to real-world international business problems and opportunities.
  • The Students learn, utilizing a hands-on approach, to communicate with leadership of foreign companies, often where English is a second language for the Company participants.
  • The Students learn about international companies’ industries, their products/services, the competition they face and problems they try to solve.
  • The Students learn about various market entry strategies.
  • The Program provides resume-building learning experiences.

The Naveen Jindal School of Management offers many innovative MS programs for individuals seeking to enhance their careers. Our MS programs represent an outstanding educational value, offering a private school setting and class sizes at state university prices. Since most master’s students at UT Dallas already are fully employed, classes are offered in the evening to accommodate work schedules.

  • Research: The Companies obtain credible research on the potential market for the products and services in the USA. Also, the Companies discover potential competitors in the USA.
  • Strategy: The Companies learn about possible options and channels for their market entry strategy into the USA.
  • Market Entry Support: The Companies are introduced to an International Business Ecosystem (see below) of resources, regulatory agencies, organizations and other support available to the companies planning to enter the USA market.
  • Talent: The Companies will often identify quality international business talent in the form of interns or permanent employees.

Industry Sectors

Technology/AI

  • Computer design/manufacture
  • Education software
  • IT outsourcing service
  • Mobile Apps
  • Robotics
  • Recruitment software
  • Telecommunications

Manufacturing

  • Building environmental systems
  • Building hardware
  • Housing
  • Industries adhesives
  • Light

Energy

  • Electrical power generation management
  • Portable oilfield solar generation
  • Solar charging
  • Solar energy generation

Aviation

  • Aviation instrumentation
  • Drones

Health Care

  • Genetic and reproduction
  • Home healthcare
  • Health supplements
  • Medical devices

Other

  • Insurance
  • Recruiting/Staffing
lawrence howorth

Lawrence P. Howorth, Program Lead

I am currently the Program Lead for the Global Development Initiative – part of the Center for Global Business within the Naveen Jindal School of Business, University of Texas at Dallas.

My Company, HOWORTH International, specializes in advising and supporting companies in their international market entry initiatives, and through our work with these companies we recruit and onboard companies each semester to be included in the GDI program. In addition to recruiting these companies, I provide mentorship to both the students and the companies as they develop US market research for those companies. Periodically, we develop opportunities for both students and the client companies in the form of follow-on research, internship, and employment opportunities.

The Global Development Initiative consistently delivers key market research and valuable market entry advice for client companies as they consider entering the large and attractive USA market.

How does the GDI Program Work?

International-based companies applying for the GDI Program submit an Indication of Interest and are evaluated for acceptance to the GDI Program based on specific requirements

Each company that is selected is then assigned a team of 3-5 students with one student assigned as the Team Leader. In addition, an experienced C-level business executive is assigned to the team as a Business Mentor and a senior student who is experienced with the program will be assigned to the team as a Coordinator.

At the beginning of each semester, the students, mentor, and coordinator are introduced to the selected company and its executives and assigned liaison staff. This becomes the GDI Team.

The market research project scope is defined and agreed through a Scope of Work and the GDI Team begins their work together with attending in-class lectures in the IMS 4350 Global Market Entry Strategies class.

The GOAL for the GDI Team is to deliver high value to support the company’s market entry plan into the United States market. The scope will include researching market information related to the company’s goods or services, competitive landscape, project/service localization and introduction to individuals and organizations helpful in supporting the company’s market entry strategy.

Weekly meetings and progress reports are arranged between the Companies and their GDI Teams.

graphic of world map showing GDI companies by country

International-based Companies – Selection Criteria

  1. A minimum US$5 million of annual revenue (unless the Company is a non-revenue operation such as R&D). Lower revenue levels will be considered, depending on the Company’s growth, US market potential, and available capital to support a US market entry strategy.
  2. If the Company is launching a new product or service, it needs to have a proven business model in its home country with a defined revenue model and adequate investment capital.
  3. While the Companies are not required to pay any fees for the program, preference will be given to companies that have adequate capital and a commitment to invest initially in distribution leading to a presence such as sales office, partnership, manufacturing, or assembly facility in the DFW region.
  4. The Companies need to be able to commit time on a weekly basis to work with the students throughout the semester (approximately 13 to 15 weeks).
  5. The Company needs to have English-speaking representatives that can work effectively with the students.
  6. The Company should not have an existing US office / facility and will work directly with the GDI Program and not through any intermediaries.
  7. The Company has a plan to expand into the US market within two fiscal years and will have a stated preference to locate in the Dallas- Ft. Worth region.

The Company Application Process

The foreign Companies that are able to take advantage of this program is limited since we have a limited number of Students.

Candidate Companies will be required to go through an evaluation process up to six weeks prior to the start of the spring and fall semesters before being accepted into the program.

To apply, the Company should submit an application.

Indication of Interest Application

Contact Us

If you have questions about the GDI Program, please email Hubert Zydorek or Lawrence P. Howorth.

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