In China: The Importance of Managing Relationships Dynamically

The appliance maker Guangdong Galanz has excelled at managing relationships in a turbulent environment, and its case study illustrates the costs and benefits of relationships, how these pros and cons shift over time, and, most important, how executives can manage them effectively in a constantly shifting context.

Asian and American Leadership Styles: How Are They Unique?

Business leadership is at the core of Asian economic development, says HBS professor D. Quinn Mills. As he explained recently in Kuala Lumpur, the American and Asian leadership styles, while very different, also share important similarities.

How Japanese Multinationals Work So Well

The business system of the Japanese multinational comprises five interlocking parts. This article discusses these five characteristics and their respective contributions to the success of Japanese multinational companies.

Editor’s Note: this was written in 1991, before the Japanese bubble burst. Still, I find it a brief but interesting look at the Japanese business system.

Watch Out, Coke and Pepsi – Here Comes Wahaha

Wahaha, whose main products are milk drinks, bottled water and mixed congee, is the number one beverage company in China, with revenues of 11.4 billion yuan ($1.37 billion) and profits of 1.35 billion yuan ($162.7 million) in 2004. The company was started in 1987 by Zong Qinghou, its 60-year-old chairman and CEO. In an interview with Wharton marketing professor John Zhang, Zong talks about his … [ Read more ]

Innovation Blowback: Disruptive Management Practices from Asia

Western companies think too narrowly about the emerging world. If they aren’t careful, they may end up as defenders, not attackers.

Japan’s Coming Competitive Renaissance

Guided by the ancient philosophy of bushido, a new generation of companies is set to emerge on the global scene.

Integrating Southeast Asia’s Economies

The region is falling behind its rivals. Turning it into a true single market would boost its competitiveness and help restore its economic luster.

Asia’s Governance Challenge

Corporate governance has undoubtedly improved in Asia. Some countries-Singapore in particular-have made significant progress. The next step is to instill the new behavior, and that will take time. Many corporate leaders, investors, and regulators in Asia articulate the benefits of more effective corporate governance. But they understand that enduring reform won’t be achieved overnight and that, in the short term, many practical impediments and disincentives … [ Read more ]

Winning in Asia: Strategies for Competing in the New Millennium

The competitive landscape in Asia is undergoing a sea change. Companies are finally breaking the bonds imposed by the 1997 financial crisis. The engine of growth is shifting from exports to Asian market demand. China’s rapid development is redrawing the Asian playing field. National fiefdoms are succumbing to cross-border competition. Together, these forces are signaling the emergence of a fundamentally new competitive game-and there will … [ Read more ]