Overview
Established at the University of Michigan in 1992, the William Davidson Institute (WDI) is an independent, non-profit research and educational organization focused on providing private-sector solutions in emerging markets. Through a unique structure that integrates research, field-based collaborations, education/training, publishing, and University of Michigan student opportunities, WDI creates long-term value for academic institutions, partner organizations, and donor agencies active in emerging markets. WDI also provides a forum for academics, policymakers, business leaders, and development experts to enhance their understanding of these economies. They are not theory-based. Their mission is to create true, sustainable solutions. Their work spans understanding, testing, and implementing actionable, private-sector business models which address the challenges and opportunities in emerging markets.
Researching
They exist to create real change in every area they touch. They believe in exhaustive research to ensure their efforts result in transformational, long-term change. WDI brings together academic rigor and field-based collaborations to study, test, and evaluate emerging market issues to bring significant and practical benefits to their stakeholders. The scope of their research varies by project and can take the form of research survey design, strategic assessments, analytical and simulation models, data collection coordination, and more. Their research uses frameworks designed to provide reliable information upon which to build effective business solutions in emerging markets.
Advising
They connect the very best people and resources with the world’s most challenging issues. They are well beyond a think tank. Based on rigorous and in-depth research, WDI delivers expert, multidisciplinary recommendations to policymakers, enterprises, multinational organizations, non-governmental organizations and other key stakeholders focused on emerging market development. They provide pathways for enterprises in emerging markets to implement solutions that drive efficient healthcare delivery, venture development, market creation, and sustainable economic growth.
Educating
WDI partners with universities and other organizations in emerging markets to enable affordable delivery of world-class management education and training. Additionally, WDI brings best practices in education, healthcare, scaling impact, assessment, financial sector development, economic growth, and capacity building to practitioners, managers and thought leaders through hosted conferences, symposiums and published works in journals and other technical publications. WDI research fellows and initiative leaders teach within their areas of expertise at the University of Michigan and serve as advisors for WDI-sponsored student internships and multidisciplinary action projects (MAPs).
Implementing
The true outcome of their work is to affect change in the world – and that requires resources. WDI partners with firms and institutions in developing and emerging economies to implement the solutions developed through research and field work they have completed. They guide their partners every step of the way to ensure rapid, sustainable, and successful execution of development solutions in the regions they serve. They recognize the importance of having a large number of limited partnerships with organizations in multiple sectors across the emerging market countries they serve.
Disseminating
Global change requires a philosophy of sharing best practices freely. WDI broadly shares research results and other findings through working papers, reports, journals, print and digital media reports/articles, conference keynotes/sessions, webinars, books, and blogs. WDI has two robust media platforms within its organization that continually publish relevant news and research about development in emerging economies.
Mission:
WDI’s mission is to develop knowledge and capability that helps improve the effectiveness of firms and social welfare in emerging economies. Partnerships are formed with companies, institutions, and individuals around the world who collectively share their knowledge and resources to promote successful economic transition.
