Ten years after expanding abroad, Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei faces espionage accusations from the US government, a claim that has shut it out of most of the US market. Now the threat has started to hinder potential deals in Canada, a market it entered only four years ago. This is a market where it has gradually built a market presence with a strategic focus vital to its global research initiatives. Sean Yang, president of Huawei's Canadian operations, must now reaffirm the company's commitment to Canada and regain its customers' trust. This case focuses on the changing competitive landscape in the global and regional environment, and describes the constraints on and advantages of an emerging-markets multinational operating in developed markets. It can also be adopted for teaching external analysis, including PESTEL, five-forces, driving-forces and key success-factor analyses.
China, an internet walled garden, has offered opportunities to its home-bred companies to thrive. These local internet companies, which earned their initial success mostly by cloning their Western counterparts in fulfilling the needs of the country's demanding internet users, are insulated from the rest of the virtual world. Among these local internet companies, Tencent is the most successful one. A listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 2004, Tencent's 2011 annual report recorded revenue of RMB25.8 billion with an almost 40% profit margin. Its 845 million active user accounts have wide penetration to the 538 million internet users and 1.05 billion mobile users. After achieving sustainable success in China's internet market, Tencent has its eyes on the world. But as a company nurtured by the walled-garden environment, how can it make its way outside of its comfort zone? What does it have to offer to the global market, with its pockets of look-alike internet services, that the rest of the world is not deprived of? Will Tencent be able to globalise?
For Chinese corporation Haier Inc, the biggest seller of major appliances in the world, entering India as an emerging market multinational is like having a double-edged sword. Its global presence gives it credibility to offer more sophisticated products that warrant a premium price, but Indian consumers have yet to develop the willingness to embrace its China-made, high-priced products. Seven years into its India business endeavours, sales remained sluggish and market share minimal. The company then undertook a swift change in pricing strategies and overhauled its marketing infrastructure to save its market. The case provides an overview of the situation and lends a discussion of marketing and localisation strategies of emerging market multinationals in India. It also gives insights into the challenges these multinational corporations face. The case also explores issues of product offerings, brand communication, pricing strategies, market capture and late-comer disadvantages. The comparison between Haier's behaviours in India and other markets also points to the level of localisation/globalisation the company adopts across markets.
On 8 June 2010, India's leading integrated telecom service provider, Bharti Airtel Ltd ("Airtel"), completed its acquisition of the mobile operations of Kuwaiti company Zain in 15 countries throughout Africa. At US$10.7 billion, it was Airtel's most expensive and ambitious acquisition yet, and the largest ever cross-border deal from one emerging market to another. Airtel hoped that, with this deal, the company would be transformed into a truly global telecom company, fulfilling its vision of building a world-class multinational. Airtel was a pioneer in India's telecom sector and was the flagship company of the Bharti conglomerate of industries. Sunil Bharti Mittal had founded the Bharti group in 1976, and it had grown from being a small-scale manufacturer of bicycle parts into one of the largest business groups in India, with operations in the telecom, financial services, retail and food sectors. Airtel had started its telecom services business in 1995 by launching mobile services in Delhi, India. In a short span of about 15 years, the company had become India's largest cellular service provider and one of the top five wireless operators in the world, with revenue of US$8.8 billion and net income of about US$2 billion as of 31 March 2010. The acquisition of Zain would add 40 million subscribers, bringing its total user base to approximately 185 million. What strategy should Bharti pursue to ensure its success in Africa?
Eli Lilly and Company is a leading U.S. pharmaceutical company. The new president of intercontinental operations was re-evaluating all of the company's divisions, including the joint venture with Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, one of India's largest pharmaceutical companies. This joint venture had run smoothly for a number of years despite their difference in focus, but recently Ranbaxy had been experiencing cash flow difficulties due to its network of international sales. In addition, the Indian government was changing regulations for businesses in India, and joining the World Trade Organization would have an effect on India's chemical and drug regulations. The president must determine if this international joint venture still fits Eli Lilly's strategic objectives.
Eli Lilly and Company is a leading U.S. pharmaceutical company. The new president of intercontinental operations is re-evaluating all of the company's divisions, including the joint venture with Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, one of India's largest pharmaceutical companies. This joint venture has run smoothly for a number of years despite their differences in focus, but recently Ranbaxy was experiencing cash flow difficulties due to its network of international sales. In addition, the Indian government was changing regulations for businesses in India, and joining the World Trade Organization would have an effect on India's chemical and drug regulations. The president must determine if this international joint venture still fits Eli Lilly's strategic objectives.
Vincor International Inc. was Canada's largest wine company and North America's fourth largest in 2002. The company had decided to internationalize and as the first step had entered the United States through two acquisitions.The company's chief executive officer felt that to be among the top 10 wineries in the world, Vincor needed to look beyond the region. To the end, he was considering the acquisition of an Australian company, Goundrey Wines. He must analyze thestrategic rationale for the acquisition of Goundrey as well as to probe questions of strategic fit and value.
Vincor International Inc. was Canada's largest wine company and North America's fourth largest in 2002. The company had decided to internationalize and, as the first step, had entered the United States through two acquisitions. The company's CEO felt that to be among the top 10 wineries in the world, Vincor needed to look beyond the region. To this end, he was considering the acquisition of an Australian company, Goundrey Wines. He must analyze the strategic rationale for the acquisition of Goundrey as well as probe questions of strategic fit and value.