Preview

FULLTEXT01

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
16822 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
FULLTEXT01
SCHOOL OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY AND TECHNOLOGY
MASTER THESIS - EFO705
MIMA Program - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

“CORPORATE CULTURE IN AN INTERNATIONALJOINT VENTURE”
A case study of Sony Ericsson

Group Members: Arslan Ahmed (1983-11-07)
Zhaohua Pang (1983-11-16)

Tutor: Leif Linnskog

Seminar Date: 28th May, 2009

Master Thesis – EFO705
CORPORATE CULTURE IN AN INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE

Abstract
Seminar Date: 28th May, 2009
Level: Master Thesis – EFO705
Authors: Arslan Ahmed (1983-11-07) & Zhaohua Pang (1983-11-16)
Title: Corporate Culture in an International Joint Venture – A Case Study of Sony Ericsson
Tutor: Leif Linnskog
Research Problem: To what extent the corporate culture of an international joint venture resembles the organizational and national culture of its parent firms?
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to study and explain the organizational and national culture of the partner companies that are involved in the international joint venture and finds out the extent to which the corporate culture that is embedded in the joint venture possess a resemblance with its parent’s culture.
Method: Our research is qualitative in nature and is based upon the case study and the secondary information gathered during the research. We have also taken into account some primary information through conducting three semi-structured interviews from each of the company involved in the joint venture. All the information collected during the course of our research has been analyzed in such a manner that has eventually led us to a formidable conclusion. Conclusion: After the analysis of results, both from the interviews and the secondary information, we came to a conclusion that the corporate culture at the joint venture possess some similarities with the national and organizational cultures of its parent firms and this likeness depends upon the location of origin of the joint venture and the employees working in it. Keywords:



References: Almeida, P., Grant, R. & Phene, A. (2002). Knowledge Acquisition Through Alliances: Opportunities and Challenges Annual Report. (2008). Company Structure and Organization – Ericsson Annual Report 2008. Retrieved April 27th, 2009, from http:/ / www.ericsson.com/ ericsson/ investors/ financial_reports/ 2008/ annual08/ companystructure-and-organization.html Anuual Report. (2008). Sony Global – Annual Report. Retrieved April 29th, 2009, from http:/ / www.sony.net/ SonyInfo/ IR/ financial/ ar/ 2008/ qfhh7c00000htn6x-att/ SonyAR08-E.pdf Anuual Report. (2008). Transition Report. Retrieved May 15th, 2009, from http:/ / www.sony.net/ SonyInfo/ IR/ library/ qfhh7c00000gucvw-att/ FY07_20F_PDF.pdf Applegate, D. B. (2001). Controlling joint venture risk. The Internal Auditor 3(58), 44-49. Barger, B. B. (2007). Culture an Overused Term and International Joint Ventures: A Review of the Literature and a Case Study Berrell, M., Gloet, M. & Wright, P. (2002). Organizational Learning in International Joint Ventures: Implication for Management Development Careers. (2008). Careers – The Sony Ericsson Story. Retrieved April 5th, 2009, from http:/ / www.sonyericsson.com/ cws/ corporate/ company/ jobsandcareers/ thesonyericssonstory Compliance. (2009). Sony Global – Compliance. Retrieved May 15th, 2009, from http:/ / www.sony.net/ SonyInfo/ Environment/ management/ compliance/ Cooper, R. & Ross, T. (2007). Sustaining Cooperation with Joint Ventures. Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization Advance Access, 1-24. Corporate Information. (n.d.). Corporate Information. Retrieved April 27th, 2009, from http:/ / www.ericsson.com/ ericsson/ corpinfo/ index.shtml Corporate Governance. (n.d.). Corporate Governance. Retrieved April 27th, 2009, from http:/ / www.ericsson.com/ ericsson/ corpinfo/ corp_governance/ index.shtml Corporate Information. (2009). Sony Global - Corporate Information. Retrieved April 29th, 2009, from Culpan, R. (2002). Global Business Alliances: Theory and Practice. Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. Culture. (2009). Sony Global – 05 Culture. Retrieved April 29th, 2009, from http:/ / www.sony.net/ SonyInfo/ Careers/ culture/ index.html Das, T. K. & Teng, B. (1997). Sustaining Strategic Alliances: Options and Guidelines. Journal of General Management 22(4), 49-64 Engadget. (2007). Ericsson reaffirms commitment to Sony Ericsson Joint venture. Retrieved April 25th, 2009, from Geringer, J. M. & Hebert, L. (1991). Measuring Performance of International Joint Ventures. Gyenes, L. A. (1991). Build the Foundation for a Successful Joint Venture. Journal of Business Strategy 12(6), 27-32. Hennart, J. & Zeng, M. (2002). Cross-Cultural Differences and Joint Venture Longevity. Journal of International Business Studies 33(4), 699-716. Hill, W. (2005). International Business – Competing in the Global Marketplace. 5th ed. Prentice Hall. Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s Consequences. 2nd ed. USA: Sage Publications, Inc. Meschi, P. & Roger, A. (1994). Cultural context and social effectiveness in international joint ventures Mission. (2008). Sony Ericsson – Mission. Retrieved April 5th, http:/ / www.sonyericsson.com/ cws/ corporate/ company/ aboutus/ mission Morisini, P. (1998). Managing Cultural Differences: Effective Strategy and Execution Across Cultures in Global Corporate Alliances Pothukuchi, V., Damanpour, F., Choi, J., Chen, C. & Park, S. (2002). National and Organizational Culture Differences and International Joint Venture Performance Profile. (2008). Sony Ericsson – Profile. Retrieved April 5th, 2009, from http:/ / www.sonyericsson.com/ cws/ corporate/ company/ aboutus/ profile Reuer, J. & Tong, T. (2005). Real Options in International Joint Ventures. Journal of Management 31(3), 403-423. Scherling, S. & Wang, O. (1997). Cooperative Relations in International Joint Ventures. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics 9(3), 53-72. Schillaci, C. E. (1987). Designing Successful Joint Ventures. The Journal of Business Strategy 8(2), 59-63. Smith, E. (2008). Using Secondary Data in Educational and Social Research: Conducting Educational Research Stiles, J. (2001). Partner Selection: Motivation and Objectives. In Tayeb, M H (2001).

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    In the Case Study of LaJolla Software, Inc.; overseas expansion was laid out in their companies plans for months. Their intent? To deliver a new product launch that could potentially prove to be very profitable. But to achieve such aspirations they needed a business partner that knew the market in which they wished to serve. When the opportunity presented itself to make such a merger they knew it would take more than their companies most brilliant programers to take on the challenge. And after constant visits to Japan, correspondence via fax, and many meetings with the interested shareholders and business partners of Ichi Ban Heavy Industries, the alliance was formed. Now all that was needed for the deal to be complete was for LaJolla to meet with Ichi Ban’s organizational management team where they were to learn more about their new partnership on the foreign territories of the United States. The problem, nevertheless, was communication; getting the Japanese to understand American culture and more importantly how LaJolla Software, Inc. functioned in it. And being that their first partnership was with the Japanese they needed Ichi Ban to understand their purpose so that the two could unite as one solid entity of ingenuity for all of Asia to see.…

    • 1209 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Best Essays

    The purpose of this study is to research the business practices of a modern firm to better understand internal and external strengths and weaknesses managers face in today’s global business culture.…

    • 3563 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Morrison, M. and Mezentseff, L. (1997). “Learning alliances: A new dimension of strategic alliances”. Management Decision, Vol. 35,No. 5, pp. 351-358.…

    • 6668 Words
    • 27 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Health Care Analysis

    • 1284 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Yarbrough, A. K., & Powers, T. L. (2006). A Resource-Based View of Partnership Strategies in…

    • 1284 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    A unique corporate culture is hard to duplicate or imitate and thus helps to sustain a firm’s competitive advantage. Organizational cultures vary widely in the extent to which they are woven into the fabric of the organization’s practices and behavioral norms. The strength of any culture depends on the degree to which these norms and practices are widely shared and strongly held throughout the organization.…

    • 403 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    BUS 201 essay

    • 2210 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Li J, Chu C. W. L, Wang X, Zhu H, Tang G, Chen Y, 2012, ‘Symbiotic ownership, cultural alignment, and firm performance: a test among international strategic alliances’, International Business Review, Vol. 21, No. 6, pp. 987-997.…

    • 2210 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Hbr Case Pepsico

    • 6992 Words
    • 28 Pages

    is likely to depend on the resources each partner contributes into the joint venture and the…

    • 6992 Words
    • 28 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    International Joint Ventures (IJVs) are becoming increasingly popular in the business world as they aid companies to form strategic alliances. These strategic alliances allow companies to gain competitive advantage through access to a partner’s resources, including markets, technologies, capital and people. International Joint Ventures are viewed as a practical vehicle for knowledge transfer, such as technology transfer, from multinational expertise to local companies, and such knowledge transfer can contribute to the performance improvement of local companies. Within IJV’s one or more of the parties is located where the operations of the IJV take place and also involve a local and foreign company.…

    • 1890 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hall & Trompenaars

    • 99612 Words
    • 399 Pages

    Kavoosi, Manoocher (2005) “Awareness in Intercultural Cooperation: Studies of Culture and Group Dynamics in International Joint Ventures”, BAS Förlag, Göteborg…

    • 99612 Words
    • 399 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Danone and Wahaha Case

    • 264 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The main causes of conflict seem to derive from different attitudes towards key issues in the formation and operation of the joint venture, suggesting major differences in business culture and expectations as to how business should and is being conducted. The first and main problem described in the case study revolves around the ownership structure and the control over the JV. It seems that the Chinese Wahaha expectations were that their 49% of the JV meant full control, as the other 51% were split half-half between Danone and Peregrine through the Singapore registered Jinjia. Danone later took over Peregrne’s part essentially gaining the 51% of the JV and theoretically gaining effective control of the JV. This was not received well by the Chinese partner and later by the Chinese public which interpreted the move as a takeover, resulting in a JV based on distrust and hostility between the partners.…

    • 264 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The case of Corning-Vitro shows some of the difficulties with forming a joint venture with a foreign corporation. Even though it seemed that the venture would be an instant success, cultural differences led to its eventual demise. On the surface the two companies seemed to be compatible, but were unable to adapt a uniform corporate culture. Many problems arose because of the differing managing styles of upper management in the United States and Mexico. By forming this joint venture each company hoped to gain access to markets that it couldn't penetrate quickly enough to create a competitive advantage. The companies also wanted to share their technology with other firms to gain access to markets that they couldn't easily enter.…

    • 657 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In the recent years companies worldwide, including many industry leaders, are becoming increasingly involved in strategic alliances. Furthermore, several surveys have disclosed that such partnerships are distinguishable from traditional foreign investment joint ventures in several important ways.…

    • 3182 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The article “Cooperation and communication between cultures”, points out the key components in this case study. In the scenario each one of the team members had their own preconceived notions of the "right" way they should interact with the team in order for the team to move forward. The viewpoints of the team members, in my opinion, were influenced in part by their own cultures in addition to their own corporate backgrounds.…

    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Mcdonalds Cross Culture

    • 3175 Words
    • 13 Pages

    As the world’s population increases and we become a Global society due to the increase in technology, more and more companies are doing business on a global scale. As business increases individuals involved in cross border business alliances have had to have a greater understanding of other cultures to aid in the sustainability of business relationships.…

    • 3175 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Collaborative Advantage

    • 605 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Alliances between companies, whether they are from different parts of the world or different ends of the supply chain, are a fact of life in business today. Some alliances are no more than fleeting encounters, lasting only as long as it takes one partner to establish a beachhead in a new market. Others are the prelude to a full merger of two or more companies’ technologies and capabilities. Whatever the duration and objectives of business alliances, being a good partner has become a key corporate asset. I call it a company’s collaborative advantage. In the global economy, a well-developed ability to create and sustain fruitful collaborations gives companies a significant competitive leg up.…

    • 605 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics