Win the China IP war and gain globally

The loss of intellectual property (IP) is a compelling problem for international companies developing their business positions in China. This article reports on a qualitative study that involved 20 face‐to‐face interviews with CEOs of major IP‐owning companies as well as IP lawyers, IP protection consultants, and security agents who track down offenders to provide case evidence to the Public Security Bureau. Our data analysis implies that a majority of companies were found to be lax in their IP protection measures, relying perhaps too much on legal redress rather than a priori preventatives. As a response, a strategic framework (BARD—best practice, audit, review, design) has been developed that, if applied, will deliver higher levels of IP protection. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Quasi‐legal commerce in southeast asia: Evidence from myanmar

The historical absence of formal political borders in the mainland Southeast Asian region, combined with the nature of the geography, mean that unofficial and illegal forms of crossborder movement and economic activities are pervasive and significant throughout the region. This is particularly true in Myanmar (formerly Burma), where pressure on international firms to comply with a boycott of the country, togeth‐er with the covert activities of the government conspire to make border trade a viable form of international business. Although illegal trade such as smuggling is perhaps a universal feature of international economic activities, what is more interesting is the phenomenon of quasi‐legal trade, which includes such activities as parallel importing and reimporting, and advertising by proxy. In many cases, there is evidence that multinational firms collude with distributors, quasi‐legal importers, and government officials to enable the continuation of the marketing of their brands within a country in which this would otherwise be prohibited. This article reports on research conduct‐ed in Myanmar during 1997 and 1998 concerning this issue. The study included a wide‐ranging program of qualitative research with in‐depth interviews of leading overseas executives, intermediaries, and government officials. This research in Myanmar is unique, and it was conducted under considerable difficulties and extreme need for security and provision of confidentiality. In describing the role of multinational companies and others in pursuing quasi‐legal border trade, the article makes a significant contribution to the understanding of the business environment in Myanmar and, more generally, in Southeast Asia. The wider implications of this for international marketing are also described. ? 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

An Empirical Analysis of Danish Companies' Experiences in the People's Republic of China

In the last ten years or so, the People's Republic of China has been the subject of increasing attention on the part of researchers and practicioners alike, not least because of the potential trading implications for Western firms (and economies) of China's "open door policy." This paper examines the business experience of small and medium-sized Danish companies in dealing with the People's Republic of China. Based on information provided by 49 companies responding to a mail questionnaire, the study provides empirical evidence relating to (1) the motivation underlying the firms' decision to enter the Chinese market, (2) the forms of initial market contact and modes of market entry, (3) the bases of competitive advantage, (4) the specific difficulties/problems associated with setting up and operating in this market, and (6)the perception of the companies as to the success of their efforts. The results are placed in the context of previous analyses of the peculiarities of China as a trading partner for Western firms and their managerial implications are considered in terms of highlighting issues of practical importance for companies contemplating the establishment of links with what has come to be known as "the world's largest untapped market."     

新加坡推动企业海外投资的经验与借鉴

目前,新加坡的海外投资被认为是新加坡经济发展的第二翅膀,对外投资总额已经超过了新加坡的GDP,这离不开新加坡政府的大力支持和推动。通过论述新加坡海外投资的一些基本现状,分析新加坡政府为推动企业海外投资提供的战略支持、搭建平台、贴心服务、开路先锋等方面的成功经验,为新时期我国推动企业更好地"走出去"提供借鉴。     

Synchronised Business Cycles in East Asia and Fluctuations in the Yen/Dollar Exchange Rate

Because many authors have proposed stimulating the ailing Japanese economy by monetary expansion and yen depreciation, we explore the repercussions of depreciating the yen against the dollar on the other East Asian economies – which largely peg to the dollar. Since 1980, economic integration among Japan's neighbours – China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – has intensified and (except for China and Singapore) their business cycles have been highly synchronised. These cycles have been closely linked to fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate – through changes in the export competitiveness, inflows of foreign direct investment and intra‐Asian income effects. We show that a major yen devaluation would have a negative impact on incomes in other East Asian economies and that it is not a sensible policy option for Japan.     

Turning a liability into an asset of foreignness: Managing informal networks in Korea

Although foreignness can bring both benefits and costs to a business, much of the literature has focused on the liability of foreignness (LOF), while relatively little attention has been paid to the positive side. Despite the presence of LOFs, foreign companies may accrue some unique advantages from their foreign status, which are referred to as assets of foreignness (AOFs). Drawing upon social-capital theory and institutional theory, this article examines the issue of LOFs versus AOFs in the context of the informal networks in Korea and explores how foreign companies can manage their weaknesses in host-country-specific informal networks to create value from their foreignness. We discuss two practical strategies, reactive and proactive strategies, that can be used by foreign companies. While these two strategies can be pursued in parallel, this article suggests that foreign companies should prioritize pursuing proactive strategies. This article contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the role of foreignness in the international business context and provides practical insights into how foreign companies can leverage their foreign status in developing their own informal networks in Korea.     

Japanese Companies in China: Problems of Human Resource Management

Much of China's recent economic growth has been driven by foreign funded enterprises (FFEs). They continue to invest heavily, making China the largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) among all developing countries. Japanese firms have already shifted the focus of their FDI from the US to Asian countries, including China. However, there are many difficulties which Japanese companies have yet to over-come, especially in human resource management (HRM). Although FDI in China has become a significant phenomenon, it is still under-researched, and the role of Japanese firms and the transferability of Japanese-style management figure prominently amongst the relevant issues. Initial information allows us to make conclusions about which cultural, production, and product factors influence the importation of business systems.     

海峡两岸经济周期协动性的现状与趋势

利用中国大陆和台湾地区GDP增长率反映海峡两岸的经济周期波动,针对二者的相关分析表明,1990年以来,海峡两岸经济周期已经呈现一定程度的协动性特征,并且这种协动性具有不断增强的趋势。在经济周期协动性的传导机制方面,直观判断,两岸贸易往来与台商对大陆投资是经济周期波动的重要传导渠道,但世界市场经济景气波动的冲击影响也不容忽视。由于受两岸经济规模和结构的差异、两岸经贸交流的不对称性、大陆对外开放程度较低、以及经济运行规律之外政治干扰和政策限制等因素的影响,两岸经济周期协动性还未完全呈现其应有规模。     

Head in the clouds or feet on the ground? CEO perspectives and the international business research agenda

In response to recent articles examining the current state and future direction of international business (IB) research, this article directly surveys CEOs of the largest Fortune 500 companies to solicit their views about university‐based IB research and to identify the most significant IB problems their firms encounter. Results suggest a consistently low appreciation by CEOs for university‐based IB research over an extended period of time. Data also suggest a window of opportunity to capture a constituency among those companies that anticipate a significant increase in their international activity. To capture a practitioner constituency, however, research should focus on key problem areas that have been identified in this article, and the findings should be presented in accessible forms and venues. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Business model innovation: How the international retailers rebuild their core business logic in a new host country

Although research into the business model has received increasing attention, few studies have so far been conducted on business model innovation in an international context. The purpose of the study is to identify different patterns of business model innovation which enables international retailers to rebuild their core business logic in new host countries. On the basis of comparing and contrasting the business model changes of 15 international retailers from various home countries to one single host country (China), our study provides an in-depth understanding of business model innovation in the context of international business. By looking at the firms’ capabilities in rebuilding their core logic in the setting of a host country, we reveal six routes of retail business model innovation. Utilizing the lens of organizational learning theory and internationalization, we identify three patterns of resource deployment by international companies in the process of developing business model innovations. Our study, therefore, provides insights and guidance for multinational companies in general, international retailers in particular, as for how to successfully adapt their business model from home country to host country.     

Foreign acquisitions by Chinese firms: A strategic intent perspective

This article presents a strategic intent perspective (SIP) to analyze the foreign acquisitions made by Chinese firms. It suggests that Chinese firms strategically use cross-border acquisitions to achieve goals, such as acquiring strategic capabilities to offset their competitive disadvantages and leveraging their unique ownership advantages, while making use of institutional incentives and minimizing institutional constraints. The SIP is supported by the evidence from three firms that we studied, where dozens of interviews were conducted, including the one with the founder of Lenovo. This study contributes to extant international business theories by incorporating the SIP to examine internationalization strategies of firms from developing countries.     

Transforming Business Models in Fast-Emerging Markets–Lessons from India

There is a need for understanding the entrepreneurship and business models in the emerging economies, especially the fast-expanding ones, from a different perspective as compared to the developed economies. The consistent gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate, significant socioeconomic potential, untapped needs of the population, and economic growth potential in the fast-expanding emerging economies like the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) have changed the paradigm for investment, thereby creating a new economic development reality and focus for the global companies. However, achieving success in these emerging markets has its own unique mix of challenges. This requires a transformative and innovative mind-set toward conceptualization of a working business model that can fit into the reality of the socioeconomic and cultural challenges of these emerging markets. Further, the business model changes and alignment in these emerging markets require closer analysis and understanding of the global trends as well as ability to leverage the emerging technologies and linkages. The objective of this article is to explore the magnitude of opportunities and emerging business models transforming the socioeconomic landscape in fast-expanding emerging markets. In doing so, the article attempts to provide an overview of the emerging business model typologies and patterns that will enable the global companies to make better-informed decisions and build their presence in the fast-expanding emerging markets. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A longitudinal examination of positioning strategies in a liberalized developing African economy: The case of Ghana

This article examines the nature of positioning strategies pursued by companies (domestic and foreign) conducting business in a liberalized developing African economy, Ghana, over a ten‐year period. Specifically, this research deals with the aggregate behaviors of firms operating in Ghana's post‐SAP (structural adjustment program)‐induced environment. The findings reveal that the dominant positioning strategies are the brand name (branding tactics) and value for money (affordability). However, more recently, attractiveness, which implies elegance about the offering, has also emerged as a prominent positioning strategy. Evidence that supports the robustness of companies' adoption of positioning strategies within sub‐Saharan African economies is also developed. The results also suggest that firms doing business in sub‐Saharan African marketplaces characterized by an open and liberalized business climate have no choice but to become competitive in their positioning and with the aim of targeting the mass market and the lower‐middle‐class target audiences. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

试论海外华商经济发展的成就、经验与启示

海外华商经济已经成为当地经济的一股重要力量,也对中国的经济发展作出了杰出的贡献。这些成就的取得一方面得益于成熟的华商网络,另一方面受益于华商的多元化文化,特别是“儒商”文化。我国的经济建设应充分利用海外华商网络,吸收其合理经济文化思想,进行互补性合作,共同谋取更好的发展。     

Customer Service Employees

ABSTRACT

In Singapore, the Company Act requires every company to have an audit every year regardless of the cost and whether the directors and shareholders want one. As there are many professional accounting firms competing for the audit business of these companies, it has become essential that these accounting firms must strive to ensure that their clients are satisfied with the services provided. This paper reports a survey of 1.96 companies with headquarters in Singapore, Japan, Europe and the United States. The survey revealed the reasons for choosing a particular audit firms and the reasons for staying with them. A modified version of the SERVQUAL scale developed by Parasuraman was used to measure both the expectation and performance of service quality. A gap analysis was also carried out to determine the differences.     

Sourcing in an Increasingly Expensive China: Four Swedish Cases

China has long enjoyed its position as the world’s cheapest production country. However, this position is being shaken due to the increasingly rising costs in China in pace with China’s rapid economic development. China’s New Labour Contract Law which took effect from 1 January 2008 has further pushed the labour costs in China in general. The purpose of this article is to arrive at an in-depth understanding of why foreign firms conduct sourcing in China where sourcing is becoming increasingly expensive. The experiences of four Swedish companies in the textile and clothing industry (TCI) conducting sourcing in China are presented. Our findings show that sourcing in China is becoming both cost- and strategy-driven. Companies purely chasing the cheapest production would most probably consider leaving China, whereas companies with a long-term strategic intent and a high level of business ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices will retain all or most of their sourcing activities on the Chinese soil despite the rising costs.     

Technological change and human resource development practices in Asia: a study of Singapore‐based companies

Technological change is a constant phenomenon in contemporary organizations. How to prepare employees for technological change has increasingly become an issue for human resource development theory and practice. This study investigated the human resource development practices of organizations in Singapore, where companies are continuously responding to rapid technological changes in order to remain competitive. The results show similar patterns of responses across business sectors; however, some differences were found in the transport and communications sectors. On‐the‐job training was reported as the most frequently used training method to address organizational change needs. The discussion and recommendations focus on the need for improved change management approaches.     

我国的互联网彩票：经营模式、发展策略与管制框架

彩票存在问题赌博、未成年人参赌、犯罪以及贫困问题等负外部性,需要政府的严格管制。我国互联网彩票一直采用竞争性经营模式,妨碍政府进行有效管制。我国应当采取垄断性经营模式,仅允许一至两家公司经营互联网彩票。同时,对互联网彩票发展采取谨慎而不是自由放任的态度,制定渐进展开、分阶段实施的互联网彩票发展战略,注意与实体投注店的分工合作,并对购彩者采取适当的保护措施。对于互联网彩票公司及相关人员,实行行政许可,督促其建立健全内部控制,并对其进行经常性的评估、检验。     

Making implicit CSR explicit? Considering the continuity of Japanese “micro moral unity”

While there are many studies that address how well Japanese companies have adopted explicit CSR practices, our understanding of their own views on such practices is still limited, particularly of the difference in their views before and after the process of making implicit CSR explicit. The present research thus aims to address this apparent change by providing comparative case studies of two Japanese companies selected from two different time periods. The findings indicate there is a continuity observable in the mindset of these companies not a change. This contradicts existing literature and suggests that the process of making CSR explicit has not been accompanied by any real change in their mindset. The result shows that ethically questionable practices have been going on behind the explicitly articulated CSR policies and implies the difficulties of delegating the power to address societal issues to business organisations. This is important particularly now when the expectations of the public regarding the responsibilities of business towards society are on the rise.