Bali Hai Cruises – Creating Business Success in Indonesia

Bali Hai Cruises had grown from a start-up company in 1990 to become a thriving multimillion-dollar business in 2017 that employed 460 people on the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lembongan. This solid and consistent business development took place despite a business environment and government that had not always been friendly and positive toward foreign investors. What critical factors brought success to this tourism-based company in such a challenging market? What behaviours and strategies had Bali Hai Cruises followed to build trust, deliver on performance, and resolve challenges in developing this vertically integrated company? The company now faced new challenges in terms of an aging leadership and workforce, the continuing need to manage and maintain its working relationships with the Indonesian government and the harbour authorities, the rapidly developing information technology capacity of the marine tourism industry, and the potential of growing competition. What strategies could Bali Hai Cruises implement to continue its success and growth in 2018 and beyond?

This case is suitable for use in undergraduate and MBA courses in international business, business in Asia (specifically Indonesia), Asian and international human resources management, entrepreneurship, and diversification. After completion of the case, students will be able to<ul><li>identify, analyze, and understand the importance of relationships when conducting business in Bali;</li><li>identify methods of motivating, producing, and maintaining excellent performance from employees in a cross-cultural environment;</li><li>propose successful methods of succession; and</li><li>identify and understand the strategies and mechanisms used by Bali Hai Cruises to achieve success.</li></ul>

• culture, relationships, Asia, business