This talk will discuss Wipro's growth to become one of India's top three software service providers and its readiness for the future. To achieve its current position, a key strategy was to develop human capital by providing an entrepreneurial working environment and undertaking a higher level of complexity of work than available with competitors, supplemented by an internal degree program. How will this strategy help the firm in the emerging environment characterized by a slowdown in traditional businesses, strategic shifts towards high-end work and the growth of untraditional, IT-linked businesses (such as business process outsourcing)?

Nearly 200 died in the bombing of Paddy's Irish Bar and the Sari Club in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, on 12 October -- the worst toll from terror anywhere since 11 September 2001. In the Philippines, terrorists have struck five times in the last month alone. Also in September, suspected terrorist Omar al-Faruq apparently told his CIA interrogators that US $74,000 had been transferred from the Middle East to Southeast Asia to fund a planned attack on U.S. Navy ships docked in Indonesia. Cutting off terrorist financing has been and remains a priority in the American war on terror. What exactly is the nature of the problem of terrorist financing in Southeast Asia? How should the United States, other governments, and international agencies respond to this challenge? What strategies and tactics are most and least likely to succeed? What are the obstacles to that success, and how can these too be addressed? What has been and will be the role of the U.S. Pacific Command in seeking and implementing the answers to these questions? Leif Rosenberger has been the economic adviser to the commander of American forces in the Pacific since 1998. As chair of the Pacific Command's Economics and Security Working Group, he works at the intersection of economic and security issues related to the war on terrorism in the Asia Pacific region. Prior to coming to Camp Smith, where the Command is headquartered, Dr. Rosenberger was a professor of economics at the U.S. Army War College, where he held the General Douglas MacArthur Academic Chair of Research.

This presentation analyzes the factors influencing South Asian entrepreneurial expansion in the UK and the validity of conventional wisdom, which attributes South Asian business success to cultural factors. It suggests that entrepreneurial growth depends on human capital factors like education and prior experience, the investment of personal savings at start-up and breaking away from a management strategy bound by immigrant culture. At the same time, strengthening links with one's country of origin has a positive impact on growth. The findings have implications for aspiring entrepreneurs and for policy makers and agencies that aim to encourage the growth of South Asian and more generally, immigrant ethnic minority entrepreneurship. Dr. Basu has a background in economics, international finance and management. She holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Cambridge. Dr. Basu's research interests include migration and ethnic entrepreneurship, small firm growth, decision-making and economic adjustment of enterprises. Her current research interests focus on immigrant entrepreneurship and the role of the family in immigrant business development. She has published papers in several leading international refereed journals.

Japanese pop culture has gained a global following in recent years, with recognition that now extends far beyond the stereotypes of oriental exotica. With the reach of pop culture comes tremendous economic potential. Nakamura, whose varied experiences in rock, art, and multimedia have been applied to policymaking and education, gives a preview of a new research project he is coordinating on the impact of pop culture on politics, society, and the economy. Japan's economic troubles have taken center stage during the last decade. But has Japan's "lost decade" really been a "glorious decade"?

The era of Three Kims is passing away. Three Kims dominated Korean politics for the past three decades. Two Kims (Kim Young Sam and Kim Dae Jung) led democratization movement in the 70s and 80s, and another Kim (Kim Jong Pil) represented a moderate alternative to Park Chung Hee's dictatorship within an authoritarian ruling circle. Together, they presided over democratic transition in the 1980s and were leading players in restored democratic competition since 1987.

Now the era of Three Kims is expected to terminate with the presidential election of December 2002. The exit of Three Kims signifies the end of the first generation of democracy. The presidential election will decide who will lead the country in Post-Three Kims era. The outcome of presidential election would surely be the turning point for Korean democracy. Will Korean democracy move forward to democratic deepening or begin to erode?

Professor Im will review conceptual issues in discussing democratic consolidation and then analyze the achievements, failures, and unfinished jobs that the leaders of the first generation of Korean democracy have to their credit. He will also discuss the future of Korean democracy in the post-Three Kims era.

Lunch served to those who respond to Okky Choi by Wednesday, November 6 by 12:00 noon. You can reach Okky at 650-724-8271 or via email at okkychoi@stanford.edu.

Dr. Jin Hyun Kim is the former chairman of Munwha Ilbo, one of Korea's major daily newspapers, and former Minister of Science and Technology in South Korea. A longtime journalist, Dr. Kim currently serves as senior research advisor to the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).