• East Asian Journal of Business Economics (EAJBE)
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.53-61
• /
• 2021

Purpose - This study aims to understand the phenomenon called "regional multinational" in the geographical expansion of multinational enterprises and to find some evidence whether globalization of multinational enterprises tends to have a strong home region bias. Research design, data, and methodology - Through an in-depth case analysis, we analyze the series of strategic behaviors Wal-Mart made in South Korea from its entry in 1998 to its withdrawal in 2006. Then, we discuss the plausible causes of this exit, seeking to provide some evidence on the "regional multinational" phenomenon. Result - This study finds some evidence on the regional-based expansion of multinational enterprises. Our case study shows that Wal-Mart in South Korea focused on global standardization strategy and made an exit from the market as they were faced with increasing localization demands. From the perspective of multinational enterprises' globalization strategy, Wal-Mart's exit from the South Korean market can be considered as a strategic exit. Conclusion - The findings of this study suggest that while national responsiveness and localized adaptation are considered as a panacea for penetrating international markets, in reality most multinational enterprises attempt to add value primarily by capitalizing on similarities across markets and remain as regional multinationals.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.11 no.12
• /
• pp.25-37
• /
• 2013

Purpose - The structure of retailing has changed as retailers develop markets in response to business environment changes. This study aims to analyze the general situation of retailers in order to predict future global strategy using case studies of overseas expansion strategy and the Metro Group's global strategy. Research design, data, and methodology - The backgrounds to the new retail business model and retailer classification are analyzed as theoretical data. In addition, the key success point of the Metro Group's "cash and carry" strategy is analyzed as is the Metro Group's global CFAR (collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment) strategy. Finally, the plan for cooperation and precise forecasting under the Metro Group's supply chain management are analyzed from the promotion environment viewpoint. Related materials analyzed included the 2012 annual report, the Metro Group's web page, and a video interview with the executive in charge of global strategy and the new market development department. Some data were revised to avoid disrupting essential aspects of the case studies. Results - The important finding was that the Metro Group could be a world-class retail company with its successful global expansion strategy. The Metro Group's global strategy's primary goal is to have a leading business position in Eastern and Western Europe. The "cash and carry" strategy is highest priority in its overseas expansion strategy. Moreover, the Metro Group has standardized product planning capacity, which could be applied in various countries with different structural and cultural backgrounds. This is the main reason that the Metro Group could rapidly become successful in the Eastern Europe and Asian markets through its structural overseas expansion strategies. In addition, the Metro Group emphasizes the importance of supply chain management. Conclusions - First, retailers should create additional value through utilizing the domestic market, market power, and economies of scale to launch a global strategy to maximize benefits from diversification. Second, the political, economic, and cultural background of the target country needs to be understood to successfully implement the overseas expansion strategy. Third, the main factor of successful cooperation with a local partner is how quickly the company gains total understanding of the business resources and core competence of its partner. All organizations should focus on the achievement of goals in order to successfully operate the partnership. Fourth, retailers should improve their business, financial and organizational structure. Moreover, the work processes and company culture should also be improved to respond strongly in the competitive global market. Fifth, the essential point of a successful retail business is the control capacity of its branding and format. The retailer could avoid forecasting errors through supply chain management by perfectly distributing the actual amount of its inventory. In addition, the risks along the supply chain are effectively shared between the supply chain partners. Finally, the central tendency of the market is to gain in strength with this taking place across all parts of the business.

• International Commerce and Information Review
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.167-195
• /
• 2010

The global financial crisis, the instability of the global economy since the beginning of the growing economic interests of the countries to adjust to establish a new economic system was set up on occasion. Meanwhile, standing in the international trade environment, multilateral system of international trade for the country as the cumulative fatigue of open markets and trade liberalization as an alternative to lead the free trade agreements between countries. Currently in Korea and China, in addition to the geographical proximity in all areas, including economic exchanges and mutually dependent relationship that is deepening the world's No. 1 exporter in China and overseas investors have become partners. FTA with China by promoting the growth of emerging economies in the Chinese market by securing a stable economic growth of China as a driver of economic growth in the country to utilize the plan is being promoted from. This study is currently being promoted, in a discussion of the FTA's agricultural trade measures to address the challenges and poems. Agricultural trade with other goods to be different from the specificity of the discussion of market opening and liberalization of trade has been recognized in the main essentially nothing. We promote an FTA, according to one review and discuss the background and trends of the agricultural trade in a market, through the analysis of the status and trends and present problems for future bilateral trade negotiations with Korea for agricultural markets and propose countermeasures for. Agricultural trade, during a discussion of the FTA is essentially nothing in the review is expected to expand the bilateral trade in agricultural products, while protecting its agricultural markets to be trying to policy implications.

• International Area Studies Review
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.290-311
• /
• 2010

This study aimed at exploring the primary motivations in the behavior of MNCs' setting up R&D Labs in China, four main subjective motivations were founded. R&D Labs consisted of the following four types: local market support Labs, local technology support Labs, global technology center, and internationally interdependent Labs.he choices of the R&D Lab type features are different because of the various R&D investment motivations. Provided that MNCs' investment motivations in China are in order to obtain Chinese markets and customers, local market support Labs are supposed to be chosen so as to support Chinese markets; provided that investment motivations are in order to gain talents and science and technology resources, global technology centers are supposed to be used to achieve the highest synergy result; provided that investment motivations win an absolute competitive advantage in China, local market support Labs are extremely necessary in preoccupying markets; last but not the least, provided that investment motivations are environmental owing to their instability, local technology support Labs are a good choice for their relatively low R&D expenses.

• Asia Marketing Journal
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.63-88
• /
• 2016

K-Pop is hugely promoted offline/online in East Asia, while efforts to promote it elsewhere are kept to a minimum. Whilst addressing the role of digital marketing in the promotion of K-Pop in the Brazilian music industry this study aims to demonstrate that K-pop will provide its audience with a unique and engaging experience if it thinks globally and acts locally in its marketing and communication strategies. A survey of K-Pop's world fan base was carried out online with 1,074 fans to determine the validity of the hypothesis. The results have demonstrated the need to adapt global and intercultural strategies to local markets with increasing brand awareness through utilizing digital marketing. For example, to increase K-Pop's popularity and market share in Brazil, it is not required to sing in Brazilian Portuguese, contrary to what might be perceived but fully singing in English would help breaking into the market dominated by domestic music as songs would have a higher probability to be included in the international soundtrack of a Brazilian telenovela and promote the K-Pop artist not only across Brazil but also give the artist exposure in all the markets the Brazilian telenovela is exported to, opening an entry door to those markets. K-Pop audience segmentation and psychographic profiling is crucial to the understanding of each market's consumer's preferences, likes, dislikes and their buying habits as it was proven through Brazil's digital media, social media, digital music market and K-Pop market analysis within the global context of the study. It should be also considered that brand extensions are not standard everywhere and that there are cultures where different product categories are not directly associated with its main corporate owner which requires extensive local market knowledge to succeed. The primary and secondary data research that we conducted for this study intended to demonstrate that K-Pop can be successful in Brazil and in Latin America and increase their local and regional market share if digital marketing and communication strategies are tailored to each individual market.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.135-147
• /
• 2009

The world has witnessed the dramatic expansion of international construction markets during the last decades, particularly around the developing economies and energy resource-rich countries. However, despite the booming markets, the risks of emerging regions have also increased under the rapidly changing environments confronting the global contractors. Most of all, success in overseas business mainly depends on selecting the right market to enter. Accordingly, the right market selection requires global firms to carefully carry out the scientific market entry decision by evaluating country risks, market prospects, firm's capability, level of competition, and among others. This study aims at developing a market entry model by the use of real option analysis (ROA) and scenario planning, which addresses the corporate strategic flexibility against the uncertainties encompassing the overseas construction markets. Based on the suggested approach, global contractors are expected to make a better decision rather than a typically static approach in pursuing, postponing, or abandoning a prospective market to their capacity with a concurrent consideration of uncertainties as well as its option value.

• Journal of Fashion Business
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.176-203
• /
• 2011

In today's intensifying global competition, Korean fashion industry is relying on only qualitative data for feasibility study of future projects and developmental plan. This study was conducted in order to support establishment of a scientific and rational management system that reflects market demand. First, fashion market size was limited to the total amount of expenditure for fashion clothing products directly purchased by Koreans for wear during 6 months in spring and summer and 6 months in autumn and winter. Fashion market forecasting model was developed using statistical forecasting method proposed by previous research. Specifically, time series model was selected, which is a verified statistical forecasting method that can predict future demand when data from the past is available. The time series for empirical analysis was fashion market sizes for 8 segmented markets at 22 time points, obtained twice each year by the author from 1998 to 2008. Targets of the demand forecasting model were 21 research models: total of 7 markets (excluding outerwear market which is sensitive to seasonal index), including 6 segmented markets (men's formal wear, women's formal wear, casual wear, sportswear, underwear, and children's wear) and the total market, and these markets were divided in time into the first half, the second half, and the whole year. To develop demand forecasting model, time series of the 21 research targets were used to develop univariate time series models using 9 types of exponential smoothing methods. The forecasting models predicted the demands in most fashion markets to grow, but demand for women's formal wear market was forecasted to decrease. Decrease in demand for women's formal wear market has been pronounced since 2002 when casualization of fashion market intensified, and this trend was analyzed to continue affecting the demand in the future.

• Journal of Korea Trade
• /
• v.24 no.8
• /
• pp.81-100
• /
• 2020

Purpose - Based on complexity theory, this study develops a configurational model to predict the profitability of Halal cosmetics firms in the Indonesian and Malaysian markets. The proposed research model involves two level configurations-industry context and selling strategies-to predict high and low scores of a firm's profitability. The industry context configuration model comprises industry stability, product homogeneity, price sensitivity, and switching cost. Selling strategies include customer-focused, competitor-focused, and margin-focused approaches. Design/methodology - This is the first empirical study that calculates causal models using a combination of industry context and selling strategy factors to predict profitability. Data obtained from the marketing managers of cosmetics firms are used to test the proposed configurational model using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). It contributes to the current knowledge of business marketing by identifying the factors necessary to achieve profitability using analysis of condition (ANC). Findings - The results revealed that unique and distinct models explain the conditions for high and low profitability in the Indonesian and Malaysian halal cosmetic markets. While customer-focused selling strategy is necessary to attain a higher profit in both the markets, margin-focused selling strategy appears to be an essential factor only in Malaysia. Complexity of the interactions of selling strategies with industry factors and differences between across two study markets confirmed that complexity theory can support the research configurational model. The theoretical and practical implications are also illustrated. Originality/value - Despite the rapid growth of the global halal industry, there is little knowledge about the halal cosmetic market. This study contributes to the current literature of the halal market by performing a set of asymmetric analytical approaches using a complex theoretical model. It also deepens our understating of how the Korean firms can approach the Muslim consumer's needs to generate more beneficial turnover/revenue.

• Journal of Korea Trade
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.1-18
• /
• 2020

Purpose - This study investigates whether a listing effect exists in cross-border M&As and whether the effect can be attributed to the uncertainty of the GDP growth rate in the target firm's home country. We apply a joint variable analysis using M&A announcement data from the Korea Exchange (KRX), Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), and the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) from 2004 to 2013. We also conduct an event study using the measure of the uncertainty of the GDP growth rate (based on IMF statistics) in 55 target countries. Design/methodology - We measure the abnormal return (AR) using the market-adjusted model. We test the significance of the AR and the cumulative abnormal return (CAR) using a one-sample t-test. We examine the characteristics of the CARs depending on whether the target company is listed by applying a difference analysis using CAR as a test variable. In addition, we set CAR (-5, +5) as a dependent variable to identify the cause of the listing effect, and test both the financial characteristic variables of the acquirer and the collective characteristic variables of the merger as independent variables in the multiple regression analysis. Findings - First, we find the listing effect of cross-border M&As in the KRX, SSE, and TWSE, which represent the capital markets in Korea, China, and Taiwan, respectively. This listing effect persists during the global financial crisis and has a negative effect on the wealth of acquiring shareholders, especially when the target countries are emerging markets. Second, greater uncertainty regarding the target countries' economic growth in cross-border M&As has a negative effect on the wealth of acquiring firms' shareholders. Third, our empirical analysis demonstrates that the listing effect is attributable to the fact that firms listed in a target country with greater uncertainty of economic growth are more directly and greatly exposed to uncertain capital markets through stock markets, than are unlisted firms. Originality/value - This study is significant in that it presents a new strategic perspective in the study of cross-border M&As by demonstrating empirically that the listing effect is attributable to the uncertainty regarding the economic development of the target firms' home countries.

• Journal of Korea Trade
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2019

Purpose - This paper empirically investigates the competition effect of exports between Korea and China in their common-export markets considering market sophistication. Modern market sophistication includes an importing country's aggregate demand for products of high quality, design, novelty, eco-friendliness, and even IPR protection. Using an empirical analysis to identify the demand for product quality across countries, this paper estimates the effects of market sophistication on the competition between Korean exports and Chinese products. Design/Methodology - Our empirical model considers the relationship between an importing country's consumer sophistication and the export competition between Korea and China. This study employs the existing theoretical framework to identify the aggregate demand for product quality across countries. Using a quite direct measurement (the consumer sophistication index, our analysis investigates the differential effects of Korea's export market sophistication, particularly in markets where Korean exports are in competition with similar Chinese products. Findings - Our main findings can be summarized as follows: the negative effects of the export competition between Korea and China on Korea's exports are stronger in third markets where consumers are less sophisticated while the effects are not as pronounced in markets where consumers are more sophisticated. This result, however, best applies to differentiated goods which significantly vary in product quality. Originality/value - Existing studies focus on the supply side of production and make the assumption that the market preference for export quality is identical across countries. This paper attempts to evaluate the export competition between Korea and China from the demand-side perspective. This area of trade studies is underexplored both empirically and in theory, although the issue has long been important to Korean and world trade.