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Article
Publication date: 1 March 1997

Frédéric Jallat and Lalit M. Johri

Based on analysis of six companies, three each from India and US, it is found that companies using cultural values as anchors for acquiring and building competitive capabilites…

Abstract

Based on analysis of six companies, three each from India and US, it is found that companies using cultural values as anchors for acquiring and building competitive capabilites have outsmarted other companies that followed only conventional routes such as product and process innovations, operating efficiencies, responsiveness to consumers and quality of products and services to build competitive advantage. These six case companies have leveraged their performance by focusing on traditional as well as newly emerging cultural values and practices at the level of an individual, family and professional group. Culture often means “corporate values” in the United States whereas it means “social and sociological values” in India. The cultural management perspective is indeed much broader in India, where Indian managers often refer to a very old history and national culture, to multicentury values and traditions, whereas American managers develop strategies mainly based on emerging values and fashions.

Details

Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, vol. 4 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-7606

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2016

Rapeerat Thanyawatpornkul, Sununta Siengthai and Lalit M. Johri

There is limited empirical research that investigates issues related to strategy and its execution in facility management (FM) business especially in Thailand. Thus, the purpose…

Abstract

Purpose

There is limited empirical research that investigates issues related to strategy and its execution in facility management (FM) business especially in Thailand. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing the execution of the strategy of FM companies located in Thailand from employees’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative research approach. Five FM companies, both foreign and Thai firms, were selected as case studies in this research because of information accessibility and their leading position and reputation in the FM industry in Thailand. The interviews were conducted with the companies’ Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), directors, managers, officers, engineers, technicians and administrators.

Findings

The findings indicate that communication, training and development, as well as reward and recognition, are the three main and critical factors in executing the company’s strategy from the employees’ perspective in the FM business.

Social implications

This study suggests that strategy execution should be built upon a long-term relationship with employees, and company management should recognize the employees’ contribution to the company. Management should also raise employees’ knowledge and understanding of the execution of the company strategy.

Originality/value

This paper provides an enhanced understanding of employees’ perspective toward strategy execution in the FM business. It offers a basis for further study of human resources practices in the context of the FM business.

Article
Publication date: 25 January 2011

Vichak Phongpetra and Lalit M. Johri

The paper aims to investigate automobile manufacturers in Thailand and the effects that their business strategies had on their organizational performance.

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Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate automobile manufacturers in Thailand and the effects that their business strategies had on their organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

For empirical analysis, the method of confirmatory factor analysis and the structural modeling method were applied in order to refine business strategies, functional strategies, financial, and marketing organizational scales.

Findings

This research reveals that there are three significant business strategies of automobile manufacturers in Thailand which have a positive effect on the organization's financial and marketing performance: cost focus (the first priority), cost leadership (the second priority), and integrated cost an differentiation (the third priority). All the priorities of functional strategies that have a positive effect on the financial and marketing organization performance were subsequently analyzed as follows: manufacturing strategy (most significant), human resource management (the second most significant), marketing strategy (the third most significant), and the financial strategy (the least significant).

Research limitations/implications

Future research should select different random samples to assess the perceptions of front line managers of automobile manufacturers, dealers and automobile part firms.

Practical implications

The management of automobile manufacturers and automobile part firms should implement and improve their business strategies in terms of cost focus, cost leadership, and integrated cost leadership strategies achieve higher financial and marketing performance.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing literature by reexamining the impact of business strategies of automobile manufacturers on organizational performance.

Details

International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. 6 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2006

Phallapa Petison and Lalit M. Johri

To describe how Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT) is using local Thai employees instead of the traditional Japanese workforce, and why.

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Abstract

Purpose

To describe how Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT) is using local Thai employees instead of the traditional Japanese workforce, and why.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews with Thai and Japanese employees, suppliers and dealers of TMT; and Imai Hiroshi, architect of the philosophy.

Findings

A total of seven initiatives were discovered in which people played important roles in bringing the company into the community.

Practical implications

For building and harnessing local advantages, multi‐national companies have to bridge cultural, knowledge and skill gaps between local and expatriate employees. The actions of these companies have to demonstrate long‐term commitment to host countries.

Originality/value

CEOs of multi‐national companies, particularly Asian subsidiaries, can learn how to build and harness local advantages for global competitiveness.

Details

Strategic Direction, vol. 22 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0258-0543

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1998

Lalit M. Johri and Kanokthip Sahasakmontri

Use of traditional cosmetics and toiletries manufactured from herbs and plant extracts has been popular in many Asian countries. However, green marketing of these products is…

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Abstract

Use of traditional cosmetics and toiletries manufactured from herbs and plant extracts has been popular in many Asian countries. However, green marketing of these products is rather recent. Encouraged by the growing environmental consciousness on the part of citizens and a growing market for cosmetics and toiletries, several global and local companies have entered Thailand. An international company, The Body Shop, and a local company, Oriental Princess, have employed green marketing strategies to build their customer base in the Thai market. Using case research method and questionnaire‐based surveys, an attempt has been made in this paper to analyze the green marketing strategies of these companies and their impact on consumer attitudes and brand loyalty. The research shows that that the two companies have made honest attempts to adopt green marketing strategies. However, Thai customers consider non‐green attributes more important in making their purchase decisions. The two case companies have been able to create favorable attitudes and enjoy a high degree of brand loyalty.

Details

Journal of Consumer Marketing, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0736-3761

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 October 2008

Phallapa Petison and Lalit M. Johri

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the drivers that influence subsidiaries of international companies in the automobile industry in Thailand and how automobile companies…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the drivers that influence subsidiaries of international companies in the automobile industry in Thailand and how automobile companies pursue localization in response to these drivers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using case research method, examined seven leading automobile manufacturers – Toyota Motor (Thailand); Hino Motors (Thailand); Honda Automobile (Thailand); Isuzu Motors (Thailand); BMW (Thailand); DaimlerChrysler (Thailand); and Auto Alliance (Thailand) – as well as 14 of their dealers and suppliers in Thailand. In total 120 Thai and expatriate managers were interviewed.

Findings

Extending the knowledge body from existing research, this study found that there are four drivers for automobile manufacturers to adopt localization strategies. Those are host country characteristics, industry characteristics, company characteristics, and market characteristics. The results show that automobile manufacturers react to drivers by localization of their decision making, building and exploiting knowledge pool of local suppliers and distributors, increasing numbers of Thais at the management level while decreasing the number of expatriates, increasing R&D activities locally, localizing products, increasing usage of local suppliers, adapting manufacturer processes, reinvesting at subsidiary, and localizing corporate image. However, these vary in degree from company to company. Localization strategies produce benefits that go beyond allowing automobile manufactures to compete within the local situation, also enabling them to overcome challenges and use their successes to transform the parent company and other subsidiaries and eventually contribute to the parent company's globalization strategy.

Practical implications

Managers in subsidiaries may first implement localization strategies to cope with driver factors to mitigate risks and uncertainty. By adopting localization, managers should not focus only on short term benefits to gain local advantages in host countries, but these advantages at the subsidiary should be transmitted to the parent company and other subsidiaries to build a competitive international strategy.

Originality/value

CEOs of subsidiaries in emerging markets can learn what drivers influence localization strategies and how to cope and create local advantages for global competitiveness by implementing wide range of localization strategies.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 46 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2007

Phallapa Petison and Lalit M. Johri

To analyze the challenges and solutions in developing local employees for managing subsidiaries – the implementation of Thainization philosophy at Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT).

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Abstract

Purpose

To analyze the challenges and solutions in developing local employees for managing subsidiaries – the implementation of Thainization philosophy at Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT).

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews were conducted with Thai and Japanese employees, and Imai Hiroshi, one of the architects of Thainization philosophy.

Findings

For successful implementataion of Thainization philosophy in TMT, the management had to demonstrate respect for local employees and build trust between Thai and Japanese employees. Once the employees related to each other on the basis of mutual respect and trust, it was relatively easy to collaborate and find solutions.

Practical implications

CEOs of multi‐national companies, particularly Asian subsidiaries, can learn how to cope with challenges in developing local employees, building their technical and managerial capabilities.

Originality/value

Many international companies are struggling with the important issue of building capabilities of local employees for leveraging their global competitiveness. The successful implementation of Thainization philosophy of TMT offers a major breakthrough in this direction.

Details

Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7282

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 January 2014

Preeya Patichol, Wiani Wongsurawat and Lalit M. Johri

This paper identifies challenges the traditional Thai silk industry has faced during its internationalization, and the public and private responses employed to overcome challenges.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper identifies challenges the traditional Thai silk industry has faced during its internationalization, and the public and private responses employed to overcome challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews were conducted with major players along the Thai silk value chain to gain insights into the industry's transformation from a domestic, cottage industry into an international fashion producer.

Findings

Thai silk has created a niche market for high-end, cultural products, thus successfully sidestepping direct competition from emerging low-cost producers. The main innovative strategies employed include introducing new products, upgrading quality, attracting new customers, and collaboration between actors all along the silk value chain.

Originality/value

This study illustrates how a traditional industry can evolve and successfully adapt to changing consumer demands and competitive landscapes in a globalize economy.

Details

Strategic Direction, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0258-0543

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 August 2007

Thirarut Sangkhawasi and Lalit M. Johri

The paper aims to investigate the influence of status brand strategy of Mercedes Benz on materialism.

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Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the influence of status brand strategy of Mercedes Benz on materialism.

Design/methodology/approach

Materialism level and perceived status associated with status brands are measured amongst Bangkok people. The correlation between the two shows the nature and the extent of the impact of the strategy on materialism.

Findings

Status brand strategy promotes materialism at a moderate level. Older and low to middle income people are susceptible to the impact of the strategy. The three characteristics of the brand – symbolic meaning, quality, and emotional appeal – show a strong impact on materialists.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses on the Bangkok population and a single status brand. The analysis does not distinguish between the perception of the owner and non‐owner of the brand.

Practical implications

The findings point to adopting appropriate marketing strategies. These are: use direct marketing channels, expand product range to introduce affordable products, and communicate against bad connotation of materialism.

Originality/value

This paper calls for a reexamining of the impact of status brand strategy in escalating materialism. The findings will help in implementing strategies to discourage excessive materialism.

Details

Journal of Consumer Marketing, vol. 24 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0736-3761

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2013

Murali Kailasam, Lalit M. Johri and Winai Wongsurawat

The aim of this paper is to highlight successful strategies leaders can use to sustain and grow business during the economic business cycle variation.

545

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to highlight successful strategies leaders can use to sustain and grow business during the economic business cycle variation.

Design/methodology/approach

Opinions were based on 32 interviews conducted during December‐2010 to November‐2011 with CXO's, Business/Functional Heads from seven leading Indian IT/ITES public listed companies that partnered and delivered solutions to global corporations including Fortune‐500 companies. One of the interview queries was to share experience, views and opinions on what works during recession and how should one tackle recovery.

Findings

This paper offers 11 handy strategies for practitioners like executives, leaders and managers to manage the economic cycles better. These common findings from several cases are summarized supported with specific examples. They are: cost management need not go overboard; incessantly monitor, control and sustain; communication, culture and empathy helps; quality bolsters empathy; stay invested to be relevant; innovation needs to be disruptive; diversification leverages law of averages; people are imperative; customers need to be venerated; change and risk management is inevitable; coherence and prudence needed.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical solutions that can protect organizations world‐wide from failing during economic recessions.

Social implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical solutions that can have a broader social impact.

Originality/value

The paper presents the arguments in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format supported with live organization examples for easy comprehension.

1 – 10 of 25