Geopolitics can be defined as the study of the influence of geographical, economic and cultural factors on State policy and international relations. It has always had consequences for companies, but today more than ever they are becoming real geopolitical players. Faced with issues of corruption, sanctions, compliance, liability and extraterritoriality, companies are directly affected by the geopolitical environment, but they are also key players in ongoing developments. The « Geopolitics and Business » programme intends to study this in order to raise awareness among companies (managers and employees), public authorities and the civil society of this political and systemic mutation of the role and place of companies.
Although now many political actors take geopolitics into consideration, it must be noted that it is still neglected by some fields of reflection. While directly impacted by international relations, companies have not yet fully understood the impact they have on their activities and the responsibility this implies: international sanctions, corruption, respect of compliance rules, all these areas require perfect geopolitics monitoring to better understand and anticipate them.
In a constantly changing world (globalization, integration and disintegration, climate change and environmental issues; digital versus uberisation/social networks; the rise of civil societies and stakeholder requirements, etc.), the role of the company, its corporate name, its (re)positioning in markets and its place in society are all aspects, not exhaustive, of the challenges faced not only by companies, but also by States. It is a race against time in which the winners will be those who have anticipated and deciphered these changes and responded accordingly. Here again, geopolitics is a key tool of understanding.
A specific support
In this context, the “Geopolitics and Business” programme has several goals:
> Raise awareness among the different actors (companies, financial institutions, public authorities, civil society) of the importance of geopolitics and the correlation with the companies’ activity.
> Bring a multidisciplinary eye mixing geopolitics, geoeconomics, technology, compliance, so as to take into account the systemic dimension of the links between geopolitics and business.
> Put the compliance and responsibility questions at the heart of a new strategic analysis grid for companies and exchange knowledge.
> Give companies the means to keep performing (anticipation, understanding, training, prevention, etc.) and give public authorities the means to support them (political support, appropriate and respected regulatory framework, economic intelligence) in these systemic societal changes in a well-understood and renewed defence of the national interest.
A renowned expertise
The researchers of the « Geopolitics and Business » programme carry out studies, reports and consultancy notes for French and international public bodies, as well as for the private sector.
To assist companies in understanding a complex environment and developing their activities abroad, the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS), renowned for its expertise both nationally and internationally, offers a wide range of services and an expertise adapted to short, medium and long-term needs and strategies.
The PERSAN study
In 2017, IRIS conducted the study « PERSAN – Performance of international sanctions » with the support of the Higher Council for Strategic Research Training (CSFRS). It presented a reflection on the use of sanctions by establishing an evaluation no longer based on simple effectiveness, but on performance defined as the combination of three dimensions: relevance, effectiveness and efficiency.
This study has enabled the IRIS teams to position themselves among the best experts of international sanctions. They are thus able to lead the reflection and train on these issues.
The “Geopolitics and Business” programme aims at stimulating the strategic debate on the topics that interact with the business world. It regularly organizes conferences, symposia and private seminars on these topics at the Institute. IRIS makes its knowledge, expertise and research network available through a wide range of events organized for public and private clients.
Private events are designed to foster the exchange of views and facilitate discussion among high‑level decision-makers in an intimate and informal setting. Public events are an opportunity to promote and discuss strategic research focuses for clients.
Knowledge
IRIS’ research and training teams are involved in the scientific aspect of these events. With more than 50 events organized each year, the Institute also has a dedicated event management team to deal with logistics and practical matters. Its experience and wide network are a token of the success of our events.
The Institute’s conference centre is located in the heart of Paris. The centre has a fully equipped auditorium as well as an adjacent room that is ideal for smaller gatherings.
Drawing from its experience in analysis and advice, and thanks to its diversified network of the sector’s experts and professionals, IRIS offers tailor-made training on the topics that companies must address: governance, international sanctions, compliance, due diligence, export controls, foreign investment, cybersecurity, etc.
These training programmes are developed in partnership with human resources directors, international directors and strategy directors. They are intended to provide operational responses to support their development.
The Ministry for Labour, Employment, Vocational Training and Industrial Relations recognizes IRIS courses as certified professional developed courses.
IRIS, a training expert
For over 15 years, IRIS has made its expertise and analytic skills available to professionals through its training courses designed to provide an insight into contemporary geopolitical issues. Lectures are organized throughout the year to give the opportunity to develop analytic skills and discuss with experts.
The IRIS Sup’ school also offers degree programmes for professionals. There are five one-year programmes with courses over eight months, two days a week so that students can have another activity. There are also two distance education courses for students to work at their own pace in a structured learning environment.
IRIS offers several short-term, skills-development programmes as well.
IRIS Sup’ also offers the Master’s-level degree registered with the RNCP “Geoeconomics and risk management”, a year-long programme that also targets professionals. There are many objectives to this programme recognized by the State: train professionals to be able to understand the international environment of international economic relations beyond the sole business issues (economic war, culture and management, sustainable development, compliance and due diligence, etc.), to assess risks, to anticipate difficulties in order to support their administration or their company and its employees in their international activities; to deliver essential tools and instruments (monitoring, intelligence, security) for decision-making in a changing and complex international context.
Les entreprises face aux enjeux du monde, de la corruption au climat
Conférence-débat organisée autour de Patrick d’Humières, directeur de l’Académie internationale durable, associé au programme Géopolitique et entreprises de l’IRIS, de Charles Duchaine, directeur de l’Agence française anticorruption et de Pierre...
Espace de conférences de l'IRIS - 2 bis rue Mercoeur - 75011 Paris
Accès Public
11
06 2018
Les conséquences stratégiques de la dénonciation par les États-Unis de l'accord nucléaire iranien
Conférence-débat organisée par l’IRIS, autour de Christophe Ayad, Rédacteur en chef du service International au Monde, Olivier Da Lage, Rédacteur en chef à RFI et Sylvie Matelly, directrice adjointe de...
Espace de conférences de l'IRIS - 2 bis rue Mercoeur - 75011 Paris
Accès Public
24
01 2018
Libre-échange versus protectionnisme ? La guerre est-elle déclarée entre la Chine et les Etats-Unis ?
Conférence-débat autour de Rémi Bourgeot, économiste et chercheur associé à l’IRIS, et d’Emmanuel Hache, directeur de recherche à l’IRIS, animée par Sylvie Matelly, directrice adjointe de l’IRIS. A l’occasion de la parution...
Espace de conférences de l'IRIS, 2 bis rue Mercoeur, 75011 Paris
Accès Public
11
10 2017
Les sanctions internationales : un outil performant ?
Conférence-débat organisée par l’IRIS autour de Jean De Gliniasty, Directeur de recherche à l’IRIS et ancien diplomate, Pierre Grosser, Professeur agrégé à Science Po Paris et chercheur au Centre d’histoire...
Espace de conférences de l'IRIS - 2 bis rue Mercoeur - 75011 Paris