North American Firms in East Asia : HSBC Bank Canada Papers on Asia, Volume 5

This volume examines how foreign firms, which are entering or operating in various Asian countries, have responded to the obstacles and opportunities which were identified in the preceding volumes of this series. There is an overview chapter and seven case studies of Canadian and American-based businesses. The studies cover a variety of sectors such as telecommunication, finance, and engineering services. The authors highlight a range of issues that have to be resolved when operating in particular countries. The outcome of the bargaining process on entry into another country, for example, or the approach taken in personnel relations, can be critical to success or failure. Contents 5 Preface 7 Challenge and response: North American firms in East Asia 11 Persistent adaptability as survival strategy for MNCs in emerging markets: The case of Nortel Networks in China 27 Establishing a successful joint venture: Moore Business Forms in Japan 59 Employee development in emerging markets: lessons from Black & Decker Eastern Hemisphere 83 Regional expansion in Asia-Pacific: CISC Wood Gundy to Malaysia 105 Building effective business relationships in China: The case of Richmond Engineering 129 "Interstitial opportunities" and the paradox of country risk: The case ofSiam Canadian Foods, Inc. 157 Communicating across cultures: The case of Midstream and Petro Vietnam 179 The foreign investment location decision: Transactions costs, product life cycles, and psychic distance 197 About the authors 223 Institute for International Business 227