Monthly Archives: June 2012

The Opening of Myanmar and Dawei Industrial Estate

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John Walsh, “The Opening of Myanmar and Dawei Industrial Estate,” SIU Journal of Management, Vol.2, No.1 (June, 2012), pp.105-1110.

Abstract:

The Dawei Industrial Estate is set to be the largest in Southeast Asia and it is intended to become the means by which Myanmar will become a modern nation, one which sweeps away the legacy of the colonial past and carries the people to a new, better and more modern world. What is the meaning of this?

Keywords: Alienation, Burma, Dawei, Industrial Estate, Myanmar

John Walsh is Assistant Professor at the School of Management, Shinawatra International University and Editor of the SIU Journal of Management

Read the full paper here.

Cross-Cultural Competency Dilemmas: Thai Automotive Companies

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Mahmoud Moussa, “Cross-Cultural Competency Dilemmas: Thai Automotive Companies,” SIU Journal of Management, Vol.2, No.1 (June, 2012), pp.75-100.

Abstract:

Today, those in managerial positions have become increasingly aware of the importance that cross-cultural understanding plays in enabling their staff, wherever located, to work positively. Such knowledge will become increasingly important as a result of increasing globalization. Competency is a problematic notion encompassing attitudes, values and knowledge affecting job performance. The possible lack of intercultural competency may be a possible hurdle for multicultural organizations in Thailand, in particular those with aspirations to become global in the future. The purpose of this study is to identify the competencies required by those involved in services of an intercultural nature. Obstacles need to be identified and addressed according to the differing cultures in such companies. Interviews were conducted with nine participants in top management from four international automotive companies in Eastern Thailand. The data was collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Several issues were highlighted, including the need to orientate foreigners about Thai culture; the varying range of differences in working styles, apropos to their cultures; the barriers experienced by competing cultures; the perception of success in an intercultural environment and, finally, how diversity can strengthen team building.

Keywords: Culture, Intercultural Research, Thailand, Work

Author: Mahmoud Moussa is a faculty member at the International Business Management Program in Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Read the full paper here.

Inventory Management in Malaysian Construction Firms: Impact on Performance

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Salawati Sahari, Michael Tinggi and Norlina Kadri  , “Inventory Management in Malaysian Construction Firms: Impact on Performance,” SIU Journal of Management, Vol.2, No.1 (June, 2012), pp.60-73.

Abstract:

Managers act rationally in managing their inventory efficiently if they are convinced that the practice enhances firm performance. However, extant research in operations management has revealed divergent insights into the inventory-performance link. This study empirically examines the relationship between inventory management and firm performance and capital intensity on a sample of financial data for 82 construction firms in Malaysia for the period 2006–2010. By employing regression and correlation techniques, it was found that inventory management is positively correlated with firm performance. In addition, the results indicate that there is a positive relationship between inventory management and capital intensity.

Keywords: capital intensity, construction firms, firm performance, inventory management, JIT.

Authors: Salawati Sahari, Michael Tinggi and Norlina Kadri are members of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak.

Find the paper here.

Going Global – Lessons Learned in Asia

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Reiman, Cornelis, “Going Global – Lessons Learned in Asia,” SIU Journal of Management, Vol.2, No.1 (June, 2012), pp.7-38.

Abstract:

Globalisation is commonplace. Management talent, increasingly, can shift geographically in accordance with rising demand for people who have the necessary skills to fill roles in other countries. Of course, there are many benefits from working internationally. There is exposure to new cultures of countries that have ethnic, religious and social foundations in stark contrast to that of one’s home country. In a work context, there are different corporate or organisational cultures, too, especially when many of these are coloured by the aforementioned socio-foundations of the prevailing population. Furthermore, there is the unique experience, and considerable challenge, gained from dealing with people in such settings, especially when working in an entity that is the product of a paternal society.

Key words: Asia, employee effectiveness, employee reliability, international management, paternal culture, Thailand.

Author: Dr. Cornelis Reiman applies international start-up, turnaround and business development skills as a board-level advisor. Currently, he is based in Thailand.

Find the paper here.

Review of Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds

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Environmental crisis has brought the earth to the brink of destruction and the great powers have disappeared from the scene, leaving the African nations to rise as new global hegemons. Mankind has spread throughout the solar system, with robot-operated production facilities active even beyond the orbit of Neptune.

Read the full review here.

Government-Business Relationships in the CLMV Countries: The Impact on Female Entrepreneurs

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This is the fourth and final abstract for the panel on Female Entrepereneurship in the Mekong Region to be held at the ICIRD Conference in Chiang Mai next month:

Government-Business Relationships in the CLMV Countries: The Impact on Female Entrepreneurs

Abstract

The CLMV countries – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam – are all Mekong Region developing countries which would benefit greatly from well-considered and resourced assistance from the public sector. People in the four countries have grown to expect a strong, patriarchal (if imperfect) state that will lead the way in encouraging businesses to be formed and to flourish. While that expectation may in some senses be disappointed and the coverage of services and support from the public sector is at best unevenly provided, each government does nevertheless aim to provide support. That support is usually supplemented by international non-governmental organisations and by foreign government donor agencies. This paper examines the provision of services from CLMV government agencies from a critical perspective and, in particular, from the perspective of support for female entrepreneurs. This information is used to illuminate a discussion on the nature of relationships between the public and private sectors in each country and the forces that are causing these to change. The role of the AEC is also incorporated into this discussion. Conclusions are drawn and policy recommendations are made as a result.

Nittana Southiseng, Wilaiporn Lao-Hakosol and John Walsh

Dr. Nittana Southiseng is an SME Development Specialist, Mekong Institute, Thailand

Ms. Wilaiporn Lao-Hakosol is a doctoral candidate at the School of Management, Shinawatra University, Thailand

Dr. John Walsh is Assistant Professor at the School of Management, Shinawatra University, Thailand

Female Social Entrepreneurship in Thailand: The Case of Sinthu Creation and Green Living

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This is the third abstract for the ICIRD Conference panel on female entrepreneurship in the Mekong Region:

Female Social Entrepreneurship in Thailand: The Case of Sinthu Creation and Green Living

Abstract

This paper recounts the experiences of a female entrepreneur in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, as she progressed from an early idea of obtaining income from her venture which would be run on a functional basis to a more mature vision of a socially responsible entrepreneurial venture aimed at bringing about real change. The area of concern is global climate change and the concept of the social entrepreneurship venture is to ‘Do a Little Thing, Make a Better World.’ The venture is supported by company’s longstanding competencies in graphic design, web design and development in producing the Green Living free magazine and the promotional activities that form the core of the Green Living Society. The principal change agency for Green Living involves planting mangrove trees on the basis of the Thai dictum of ‘Restore the Forest and the Fish Will Return.’ Thousands of trees are being planted at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Project at Cha-am Amphur, south of Bangkok and people are encouraged to buy tickets to participate in the weekend long events. To provide revenue, the owner produces and sells premium design Earth Shirts and accepts donations from well-wishers. This strategy has evolved over time to reflect emergent opportunities resulting from technological development and also the owner’s philosophy. It provides a space wherein traditional Thai wisdom and local knowledge can interact with a domestic and international audience.

Warita Sinthuyont and John Walsh

Ms. Warita Sinthuyont is an entrepreneur and founder of Sinthu Creation and Green Living Magazine and Society

Dr. John Walsh is Assistant Professor at the School of Management, Shinawatra University, Thailand