Fariborz Ghadar
Professor, Program Chair
Department Finance
Office Address 388B Smeal Business Building
Phone Number
814-863-3839
Email Address
fxg9@psu.edu
Fariborz Ghadar
Professor, Program Chair
Department Finance
Office Address 388B Smeal Business Building
Phone Number
814-863-3839
Email Address
fxg9@psu.edu
Dr. Fariborz Ghadar is the William A. Schreyer Professor of Global Management, Policies and Planning and former director of the Center for Global Business Studies in the Smeal College of Business at Penn State. He has a wide range of research interests and specialties, including immigration; cryptocurrency; energy and sustainability; international finance and banking; global economic assessment; global corporate strategy and implementation; supply chain and emerging markets.
Ghadar recently authored a book on immigration titled: “The Danger of Devaluing Immigrants: Impacts on the U.S. Economy and Society,” published November 2022. This book is a culmination of two years of in-depth research on some of the United States’ most successful immigrants and is a follow-up to his previous book titled, “Becoming American: Why Immigration Is Good for Our Nation’s Future,” published in 2014. Additionally, Fariborz is the author of over 15 books on global economic topics, including the release of “Global Tectonics: What Every Business Needs to Know,” “Financing Growth in Developing Economies,” “New Information Technology and Its Impact on Global Business Management,” and an updated version of “Global Tectonics Revisited” which more accurately reflects the current and future global business environment.
Dr. Ghadar has been quoted in internationally circulated publications, such as the Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, and the Christian Science Monitor. He has also been a featured speaker and interviewee on major television networks as well as on the business broadcasts of CNN, CNBC, and the Nightly Business Report.
He received his BA and MS in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and his MBA and Doctorate from the Harvard Business School.
Expertise
International Finance and Banking, Immigration, Cryptocurrency, Energy and Sustainability, Global Corporate Strategy and Implementation, Global Oil Industry past, present and future, and Supply Chain and Emerging Markets.
Education
Ph D, International Business (International Strategy), Harvard University, 1976
MBA, Business Administration, Harvard University, 1972
MS, Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1970
BS, Biomedical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1969
BS, Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1968
Courses Taught
FIN 855 – Global Finance (2)
This course provides a broad exploration of international finance in the context of how a corporate strategic manager analyzes the complexities of international financial markets. In particular, the course develops a tool-kit of techniques to a) understand global market interconnectivity, b) value international financial instruments and c) analyze risk, hedging, and asset pricing strategies to secure strategic competitive advantage. Building on these insights students will gain a deep understanding of exchange rates, risk management, forecasting, and international capital flows. More specifically students will study foreign exchange markets, hedging strategies using forward and future instruments, purchasing power parity, the eurocurrency market, international portfolio management, and the overall financial management of the international firm. Students will recognize, identify and apply the following core international finance concepts and analytical strategy tools: 1. The economics of foreign trade, the Law of One Price, and Purchasing Power Parity 2. The mechanism of Capital Flows and the effect on a country's "current account" vs. its "capital account"3. The foreign exchange market and its influence on the pricing of tradeable goods 4. How exchange rates affect consumers vs. manufacturers of tradeable goods 5. How interest rates are determined, inflation forecasting, and how interest rate expectations influence strategic decision-making for both the firm and the individual market actor. 6. How financial instruments such as forwards, futures, swaps, and options mitigate risk and reduce earnings uncertainty 7. How to build and manage a diversified international portfolio which maximizes return relative to a multinational corporation's specific risk profile.
MGMT 861 – GLOBAL STRAT & ORG (2)
This course focuses on the "strategic" challenges facing the multinational firm. The types of questions that we address are: Why do firms go abroad? What differentiates a "global" from a "multi-domestic" industry? What are the sources of competitive advantage in a global context? Why and when do/should companies engage in cross-border strategic alliances? What are the associated risks and how to guard against them? What potential roles can foreign subsidiaries play in an MNC's global strategy? How do companies choose an optimal global structure? How do companies ensure coordination between the center and the subsidiaries and among subsidiaries? How do companies manage strategic change from one type of global strategy to another?
BA 596 – Individual Studies (Variable)
Creative projects, including nonthesis research, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
MGMT 561 – GLOBAL STRAT & ORG (2)
This course focuses on the "strategic" challenges facing the multinational firm. The types of questions that we address are: Why do firms go abroad? What differentiates a "global" from a "multi-domestic" industry? What are the sources of competitive advantage in a global context? Why and when do/should companies engage in cross-border strategic alliances? What are the associated risks and how to guard against them? What potential roles can foreign subsidiaries play in an MNC's global strategy? How do companies choose an optimal global structure? How do companies ensure coordination between the center and the subsidiaries and among subsidiaries? How do companies manage strategic change from one type of global strategy to another?
FIN 555 – Global Finance (2)
This course provides a broad exploration of international finance in the context of how a corporate strategic manager analyzes the complexities of international financial markets. In particular, the course develops a tool-kit of techniques to a) understand global market interconnectivity, b) value international financial instruments and c) analyze risk, hedging, and asset pricing strategies to secure strategic competitive advantage. Building on these insights students will gain a deep understanding of exchange rates, risk management, forecasting, and international capital flows. More specifically students will study foreign exchange markets, hedging strategies using forward and future instruments, purchasing power parity, the eurocurrency market, international portfolio management, and the overall financial management of the international firm. Students will recognize, identify and apply the following core international finance concepts and analytical strategy tools: 1. The economics of foreign trade, the Law of One Price, and Purchasing Power Parity 2. The mechanism of Capital Flows and the effect on a countryÀs "current account" vs. its "capital account"3. The foreign exchange market and its influence on the pricing of tradeable goods 4. How exchange rates affect consumers vs. manufacturers of tradeable goods 5. How interest rates are determined, inflation forecasting, and how interest rate expectations influence strategic decision-making for both the firm and the individual market actor. 6. How financial instruments such as forwards, futures, swaps, and options mitigate risk and reduce earnings uncertainty 7. How to build and manage a diversified international portfolio which maximizes return relative to a multinational corporationÀs specific risk profile.
I B 555 – Global Finance (2)
Analyze international business finance problems, impact of evolving inter- national payment systems on business, financial management in modern multi- national enterprise.
IB 555 – Global Finance (1)
This course provides a broad exploration of international finance in the context of how a corporate strategic manager analyzes the complexities of international financial markets. In particular, the course develops a tool-kit of techniques to a) understand global market interconnectivity, b) value international financial instruments and c) analyze risk, hedging, and asset pricing strategies to secure strategic competitive advantage. Building on these insights students will gain a deep understanding of exchange rates, risk management, forecasting, and international capital flows. More specifically students will study foreign exchange markets, hedging strategies using forward and future instruments, purchasing power parity, the eurocurrency market, international portfolio management, and the overall financial management of the international firm. Students will recognize, identify and apply the following core international finance concepts and analytical strategy tools: 1. The economics of foreign trade, the Law of One Price, and Purchasing Power Parity 2. The mechanism of Capital Flows and the effect on a countryÀs "current account" vs. its "capital account"3. The foreign exchange market and its influence on the pricing of tradeable goods 4. How exchange rates affect consumers vs. manufacturers of tradeable goods 5. How interest rates are determined, inflation forecasting, and how interest rate expectations influence strategic decision-making for both the firm and the individual market actor. 6. How financial instruments such as forwards, futures, swaps, and options mitigate risk and reduce earnings uncertainty 7. How to build and manage a diversified international portfolio which maximizes return relative to a multinational corporationÀs specific risk profile.
B A 535 – Global Perspectives (1)
An overview of the global business environment.
Selected Publications
This book is a culmination of two years of in-depth research on some of the United States’ most successful immigrants and is a follow-up to my previous book titled, Becoming American: Why Immigration Is Good for Our Nation’s Future, published in 2014.
Despite deep divisions on the issue of immigration, this book shows that immigration promotes economic innovation, expands the job market, and contributes to diversity and creativity in the United States.
Quoted in article: Subject- China's plans for an expanded role in the Iranian economy could directly challenge the approach of the US, EU and Gulf
Population trends: Shifting demographics ~ While worldwide population is increasing, the overall population growth rate - contrary to what many believe - - is decreasing. In fact, global population is projected to stabilize short of 10 billion people and start declining by 2050. And population increases aren't happening symmetrically across the globe, which creates significant future challenges. Some of the countries that can least afford to support a burgeoning citizenship will find their resources stretch to the limit. Their resultant your bulge will create political, social and economic challenges. Meanwhile, some developed countries will battle declining birthrates combined with an aging population, a problem resulting in increased immigration that will further complicate policies, economic opportunities and challenges.
Published by Rowman & Littlefield, Becoming American: Why Immigration is Good for Our Nation’s Future combines in-depth research with personal narratives from some of our nation’s most influential immigrants.
Anarticle about the effect of the Japanese nuclear disaster on Iran's nuclear energy ambitions. "While Japan's unfolding nuclear and humanitarian crisis resurrected longstanding fears in the West about the safety of nuclear power and the potential vulnerabilities of the world's over 400 operational nuclear power plants, among Iranians it seems to have inaugurated a long overdue debate," Ghadar and his coauthor write. (Will Fukushima Force Iran to Reconsider Nuclear Program). This article was excerpted on CNN.com.
Director of the Center for Global Business Studies, writes about the economic challenges facing Iran and makes recommendations for U.S. policy toward the country. "The challenges facing Iran’s economy remain the same as three decades ago: corruption, mismanagement of Iran’s natural resources, lack of foreign investment, unemployment, brain drain, squeezing out the private sector, and, last but not least, putting ideology before national economic interests," Ghadar and a coauthor write. (Iran's Crisis amid Middle East Turmoil). This article also appeared on Iranian.com.
Fariborz Ghadar comments on legislation targeting China for its currency valuation. "The bill itself would only be symbolic since it would urge the Obama administration to do something that it doesn't want, or have, to do," Ghadar says. "But it would lead to a real decline in relations with China." (Renminbi Dispute Looks Set to Haunt Sino-U.S. Economic Talks).
Research Impact and Media Mentions
Editorship
Editorial Board member