Imad Shaer T’25 reflects on his Tuck Global Insight Expedition (GIX) experience in Taiwan. He joined Professor Diederik Vandewalle to explore how the country became a leader in technology and consumer products, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and operational excellence.
What interested you about the GIX location and topic?
I picked Taiwan as my preferred GIX location because of its strategic importance in the global technology and consumer electronics landscape. As a very influential force in the semiconductor industry, Taiwan plays a crucial role in various industries and products we use daily, from consumer electronics and smart appliances to artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles. Given my interest in technology and consumer products, I saw this GIX as a chance to explore how Taiwan has positioned itself as an indispensable player in these industries and understand how its ecosystem powers these innovations.
How did Tuck faculty and/or staff contribute to your overall GIX experience?
Tuck faculty and staff played a crucial role in framing our understanding of Taiwan’s economy and business ecosystem before and throughout the GIX. Before our trip, they provided critical background on Taiwan’s economy, policies, and geopolitical position, giving us the necessary context to better grasp the significance of each interaction.
During our discussions with companies, the faculty helped us connect the dots between government-led economic strategy, business dynamics, and technological leadership, making it easier to analyze Taiwan’s unique economic model. Their guidance ensured that our learning wasn’t just about observing successful companies, but about understanding the deeper factors—cultural, political, and economic—that shape business success in Taiwan.
On this GIX trip, students learn how Taiwan transformed from an agrarian society to a tech leader—producing 90 percent of the world’s advanced computer chips—and local government’s role in this growth.
What is a key takeaway from this experience? What have you learned?
One of the most valuable takeaways from this experience was gaining a deeper understanding of how businesses in a cohesive society collaborate to sustain a highly complex supply chain. Taiwan’s strong cultural and industrial cohesion plays a crucial role in enabling the seamless operation of its globally critical semiconductor industry, with the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) at the center of an intricate network of suppliers, manufacturers, and partners.
This experience reinforced how business success is not just about operational excellence but also the relationships and trust that underpin an industry. Taiwan’s model demonstrates that when businesses operate within a deeply connected and cooperative environment, they can create efficiencies that are difficult to replicate in more fragmented markets.
What should prospective students know about the GIX and/or TuckGO requirement?
The Global Insights Expedition is more than just a study trip—it’s an immersive, hands-on learning experience that prepares MBA students to navigate the complexities of an increasingly interconnected global economy. In today’s world, business leaders are expected not only to manage organizations in a local context but also to operate effectively in global markets, understanding diverse economic systems, cultural dynamics, and business models. GIX provides that critical exposure, allowing students to see firsthand how distinct business models thrive under different economic policies, regulatory landscapes, and cultural influences.
Imad is a member of the Tuck Class of 2025. Prior to Tuck, Imad spent a few years in strategy consulting at Deloitte, where he was based in Dubai and consulted for clients in Saudi Arabia and UAE. During his time at Tuck, Imad interned over the summer at SharkNinja as part of its Business Transformation team and he is a Fellow at the Center for Digital Strategies. During his free time, Imad enjoys being immersed with friends within the Tuck community, exercising, playing sports, and reading.
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