Macro Hive Conversations With Bilal Hafeez Ep. 343: Srividya Jandhyala on Changing Corporate Behaviour to Geopolitical Risks, and 'The Great Disruption'
Jan 30, 2026
Srividya Jandhyala, a management professor at ESSEC and author of The Great Disruption, explores how geopolitics now shapes corporate strategy. She discusses the shift from a flat world to structural geopolitical headwinds. Short takes cover corporate nationality trumping product, lessons from mining and energy, the Jenga of accumulating frictions, and how AI and localization are remaking business decisions.
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Energy And Mining Knew Political Risk
- Mining and oil firms long mastered political partnerships and stakeholder management.
- In contrast, tech and e-commerce firms rode globalization's tailwind and now face novel geopolitical friction.
Localize To Earn A Societal License
- Localize operations and embed in the local economy to gain a societal license to operate.
- Align your company objectives with local government priorities, not just hire local staff.
Corporate Nationality Matters More Than Product
- Corporate nationality now often trumps product features in market access and costs.
- Nationality can create both disadvantages and opportunities depending on geopolitical rules.
