Well, as classes continue, we visit more local Panama businesses in an effort to gain a broader perspective of the impact of globalization on Panama businesses in various sectors.

Monday, we had a chance to visit USF Health's Office in La Ciudad de Saber, where Dr. Calvo (a USF alumnus) presented to us about their operations. "The City of Knowledge" is a government-subsidized Panamanian institution that acts as a continuing education facility, research park, and small-business incubator for organizations that undergo a rigorous selection process.

Tuesday, we visited Firm Solutions Panama, Inc. (FSP -- see picture), a Tampa-based corporation that serves American law and financial services firms in the real-estate industry by offering to increase their typically narrow profit margins by outsourcing the back-office operations, converting unpredictable HR expenses into a single fixed cost. We learned a great deal about how outsourcing plays a crucial role in the recent and ongoing globalization process through an understanding of how FSP accommodates the needs of companies located within the US.

Thursday, Sra. Maria Kosmos - also a USF alum! - visited our own "Doing Business in Panama" class to speak to us about her own residential cleaning materials (chlorine) production and wholesale business that she operates with her husband in Panama. Then, we visited Dr. Tinta, a printer ink and toner refilling business that is operated by a few young Venezuelan entrepreneurs with a modest staff. Very recently, the business has adopted a network marketing strategy and continues its pursuit of a greener environment through recycling.

Overall, these site visits have been very informative, and I know I now have a much deeper understanding of how and why businesspeople choose to do business in this unique country.