National University of Singapore
NUS Business School
BMA5419 Global Management of Asian Multinationals
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Semester 1, AY2012/13
Management & Organisation
Professor Audrey H. H. Tsui
bizathh@nus.edu.sg
Mochtar Riady Building
BIZ1-07-35
Course Objectives
With the U.S. and most EU economies being confronted by heavy sovereign debts and huge
unemployment, Asia is deemed to have emerged as an engine of growth in the next phase of
global development. One also witnesses there is an increasing representation of Asian
multinationals among the rank of the world’s leading corporations. What is Asia’s position in
the emerging world economic order? What role will Asian enterprises play in an increasingly
interconnected global supply chain? How can Asian multinationals compete in the world
market once dominated by the much more established global conglomerates?
This module aims to expose students to the challenging paths of selected Asian
multinationals in their journey of globalization. Students will understand the major driving
forces, both externally and from within the corporate, that stimulate some pioneer Asian
multinationals from Japan, S. Korea and Taiwan in going global, and the critical factors that
constitute their rise and fall.
Next, the module will study the rapid rise of some emerging Asian MNCs, especially those
from China, India and selected S.E. Asian countries. Students will learn how rapid changes in
the domestic and global business contexts have shaped the internationalization strategies of
these Asian MNCs. The module also aims to expose students to a better appreciation of the
difficulties Asian multinationals face in nurturing global brands; in overcoming inadequacies
in international market know-how and foreign regulations; and in the management of
complexities and diversities.
References:
1. Premachandra Athukorala (Edited) The Rise of Asia: Trade and Investment in Global
Perspective. New York: Routledge, 2010
2. Anil K. Gupta, Toshiro Wakayama and Srini Rangan Global Strategies for Emerging
Asia. Jossey-Bass, July, 2012 (To be released)
3. Ramkishen S. Rajan, Rajiv Kumar, Nicola Virgill (Edited) New Dimensions of
Economic Globalization: Surge of Outward Foreign Direct Investment from Asia”
Singapore; Hackensack, N.J.: World Scientific, 2008
4. Andrea Goldstein. Multinational Companies from Emerging Economies: Composition,
Conceptualization and Direction in the Global Economy. Basingstoke (England),
New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007
5. Henry Wai-Chung Yeung (Edited) Handbook of Research on Asian Business,
Northampton, MA: E. Elgar, 2007
6. A compilation of journal articles and published reports of relevance to the course
themes.
Teaching Methodology
The class sessions will be highly interactive in nature. Students are held responsible for their
own learning with the facilitation of case studies, role plays, debates, learning projects, buzz
group discussions, videos, guest talks and lectures.
Assessments
Case Analysis, Oral Presentation & Written Report 40%
Critique on Case Presentation 10%
Learning Project Essay Report 40%
Class Participation 10%
Major Topics
1. Asia’s Intra-regional Trade and South-South Investment: New Trends and
Developments
2. Global Supply Chain and Implications on Production Fragmentation & Outsourcing
3. Emergence of Asian Multinationals: Opportunities and Challenges
4. Building Relevance of a Global Brand
(Case: Sony’s Management Reshuffling)
5. Technical Superiority and Customer Connection
(Case: Business Restructuring of Samsung)
6. From OEM Manufacturing to Brand Ownership & Cross-Strait Alliance:
Competitive Advancement of Taiwan’s Electronics Industry
7. Managing Business Portfolio for A Balanced Growth: Insights Drawn from The
Business Empire of Li Ka Shing
8. Growth through International Mergers and Acquisitions
(Case: Tata Motors Goes Global)
9. Building and Managing a Chinese Global Brand
(Case: Lenovo in Emerging Markets)
10. China’s Engagement of Africa: New Internationalization Strategy
(Case: China’s Involvement in African’s Infrastructural Built-up)
11. Indo-China as New Outsourcing Centre in Asia
12. Regional Integration and Business Enhancement: Budget Air-Travel in Asia
(Case: Air Asia: Now Everyone Can fly)
13. Riding the Wave of Sustainability Management: The Asian Opportunities
14. Presentation of Field Projects