Background: In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and put the world into a state of geopolitical crisis, leading to severe negative spillover effects on the global economy. Corporations were compelled to respond to the geopolitical crisis, while some were indirectly exposed to the war and others directly affected, all corporations had to decide on their strategic actions. Thus, questions arise how and why corporations acted as they did. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how corporations react to a geopolitical crisis, and further explain how they make their strategic decisions. The study adopts a contingency perspective to identify the fundamental basis upon which strategic decisions were made. Additionally, the study tests whether stakeholders’ influences can explain the corporations’ decisions. Method: This study employs a quantitative methodology with a deductive approach in an exploratory and positivistic paradigm. This is done to examine the relationship between corporations’ exposure to Russia, stakeholders’ influences, and strategic decisions regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. Data were gathered from annual reports and various databases, and analyzed using Spearman correlation matrix and linear regression models. Conclusion: The findings show that corporations act differently depending on their contingencies in reaction to a geopolitical crisis. Furthermore, stakeholders influence the strategic decisions in corporations indirectly affected by the geopolitical crisis, however, their influence is diminished in corporations directly impacted. While some stakeholder influences were found on the strategic decisions made by the most severely impacted corporations, other factors seem to ultimately determine the strategic decisions in the directly impacted corporations.

Depuis plusieurs années, un nombre non négligeable d’Etats africains, sont confrontés à la problématique de la remise en cause des acquis démocratiques. Aussi, en 2008, l’actualité politique de la Mauritanie et la Guinée est-elle secouée par les coups d’Etat qui ont lieu respectivement en août et décembre. Au fil des jours qui s’égrènent, ces deux Etats entrent dans une crise politique avec un air de guerre larvé. La communauté internationale porte une attention particulière à l’évolution de ces derniers, d’autant plus qu’ils font partie, pour la Mauritanie, de la zone sahélosaharienne, et pour la Guinée, de la sous-région ouest-africaine, deux espaces géographiques en proie à l’instabilité. Ainsi, conformément aux dispositions prévues par le droit international, la communauté internationale au nom desquelles l’Union Africaine, la CÉDÉAO, la France et les Etats-Unis, s’implique afin de conduire le processus de sortie de crise dans chaque pays. La présente thèse investit de ce fait les contours de cet interventionnisme étranger, tout en mettant en lumière les facteurs déclencheurs sousjacent de ces deux crises politiques. Ce faisant, nous examinons les principes et enjeux fondamentaux régissant cette ingérence. Une dynamique qui, dans sa globalité, permet d’apprécier les postures contrastées adoptées par les acteurs étrangers face à chaque putschiste / Over many years, numerous African States are facing serious issues due to the reappraisal or challenges of their so called democratic political system. Also, in the year 2008, the existing political conditions in both Mauritania and Guinea were destroyed by a coup d'état known as coup (e.g., putsch, or an overthrow), respectively in August and December of the same year; And over the days, these two states entered into political crisis considered as implying actions to be taken or steps toward civil war. The international community is highly considering these above mentions two states, for they are respectively parts the very geographical spaces threatened by constant instability such as the Sahel-Saharan zone (e.g., Mauritania) and the west-African sub-region (e.g., Guinea). In accordance with regulations and provisions by international law, we could acknowledge the involvement of the international community amongst the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), France and the United States, in order to lead the post-crisis process in each country. This thesis endeavors to investigate all the aspects with respect of these foreign interventionists, while highlighting the factors that trigger off these two political crises. Meanwhile, this thesis contributes to examine the principles and fundamental stakeholders of this external interference from these countries. Hence, the overall system, allows understanding the versatility of external forces or foreign actors standing out each coup d'état or "stroke of state"

Цель этого исследования - разработать эффективную коммуникационную стратегию для отдела GSEM, которая улучшит текущие стратегии и модификации во время кризиса, сосредоточив внимание на возможности набора студентов из стран Латинской Америки. Научная новизна данного исследования заключается во влиянии авторитета магистерских и бакалаврских программ, представлений студентов о своей будущей карьере и эффективности коммуникативных стратегий в период кризиса. Практическая значимость этого исследования заключается в том, чтобы предоставить университетам идеи и стратегии для разработки эффективных коммуникативных тактик во время кризиса, а также определить ключевые факторы для успешных коммуникативных стратегий в сфере бизнеса и управленческого образования. Эффективность рекомендаций, представленных в этом исследовании, демонстрируется посредством анализа данных, который подтверждает влияние геополитического кризиса на восприятие России как направления обучения, выявляет ключевые факторы, затронутые санкциями, и выделяет предпочтения и каналы коммуникации потенциальных студентов, что в конечном итоге позволит университетам усовершенствовать свои коммуникационные стратегии и эффективно привлекать латиноамериканских студентов. / The objective of this research is to develop an effective communication strategy for the GSEM department that will enhance current strategies and modifications during times of crisis focusing on the possibility to recruit students from Latin American countries. The scientific novelty of this study lies on the impact of the credibility of Master and Bachelor programs, students' perceptions of their future careers, and the effectiveness of communication strategies during times of crisis. The practical significance of this study is to provide universities with insights and strategies for developing effective communication tactics during times of crisis, as well as identifying key drivers for successful communication strategies in the field of business and management education. The effectiveness of the recommendations provided in this study is demonstrated through the analysis of data, which confirms the impact of geopolitical crisis on perceptions of Russia as a study destination, identifies key factors affected by sanctions, and highlights the preferences and communication channels of potential students, ultimately enabling universities to enhance their communication strategies and attract Latin American students effectively.