Tandamrong, Duangrat (2014) Characteristics to Complement Requisite Managerial and Leadership Attributes to Effectively Manage a Multinational Corporation: a Study based in the Thai Automotive Industry. Other Degree thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

By virtue of the increasing global competition, many Asian countries have become the favourite target of large enterprises and multinational corporations (MNCs) desiring to invest in them. Thailand in particular, due to its location as a natural gateway for efficient distribution channels through various markets and customers, has attracted foreign direct investments across the world to relocate their manufacturing operations to the country since the mid-1950s. Further, following the low-wage labour market and social stability, Thailand has grown to be one of the top five countries targeted for Japanese investment. More importantly, with the support of both governments establishing the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement in 2007, strong economic ties have continued to develop, leading Japan to be a major investor in Thai industry. However, despite the obvious economic advantages for both countries, the unfamiliar socio-cultural environment in Thailand has presented many challenges for Japanese expatriate managers. Moreover, the relocation of operations not only has led to a rethinking of business strategies, but also the allocation of appropriate personnel to complete critical assignments in different business climates is crucial. More specifically, although the Japanese management style suits firms in their home country of Japan (as do Western management styles in Western countries), difficulties arise when they are applied verbatim in the Thai environment. Thus, the selection, training and dispatch of capable and well-suited expatriate managers to succeed when working in overseas posts are requiring careful consideration. Therefore, this research aims to identify the defining necessary attributes and influencing factors for Japanese expatriate managers’ success in Thailand. More specifically, it investigates the characteristics required for Japanese managers who collaborating with a predominately local workforce within the Thai automotive industry.

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