The transformation of emerging markets in recent decades has generated a new, growing, and very large middle class market, also known as the middle of the pyramid. This market segment, which is middle by the standards of emerging markets yet low by the standards of advanced economies, is extremely attractive for firms, but still understood and underserved. This volume presents detailed analyses of exemplary firms that have innovated products, services, and business models to fulfil the needs and desires of these new middle classes. It provides useful insights for managers, consultants, researchers, and students interested in emerging economies, and actionable lessons on how to innovate for a new and expanding market segment.
Firms in emerging markets are becoming leading global players despite operating in challenging home country environments, but little is known about how they build their capabilities. By analyzing multiple companies operating across over a dozen emerging markets in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Europe, the authors identify the specific challenges faced by emerging market firms to become internationally competitive. Furthermore, they provide actionable solutions to upgrading capabilities, sustaining competitive advantage, and achieving multinational status, all whilst operating in emerging economies. Featuring contributions from eminent business scholars from across the globe, this timely volume provides a valuable tool for academics and practitioners, managers and consultants, especially those involved with emerging market firms working to grow and succeed globally.
Building Multinationals in Emerging Markets
Over the past two decades, emerging market multinationals have become an important force in international business. This book provides a better understanding of the actions and strategies used by firms from mid-sized emerging markets to upgrade their capabilities and become successful multinationals. It is the first book to provide an in-depth look at Mexican multinationals, or 'Multimexicans'. These include some of the leading firms in the world, such as the construction materials producer Cemex and the tortilla maker Grumasa, as well as smaller but innovative firms such as the theme park Kidzania and the cinema multicomplex Cinepolis. This comprehensive analysis contains case studies written by local industry experts on these and other firms, across twenty-two industries. The lessons drawn will be of interest to researchers, students, and consultants, as well as managers and executives of firms in other emerging markets looking to upgrade capabilities and expand abroad.
Managing Operational Challenges for Sustained International Growth
Emerging market multinationals are becoming leaders in their industries, able to compete on equal terms with firms from advanced economies, but their paths toward global leadership are not always smooth. This book examines the specific challenges faced by emerging market multinationals as they seek to develop their international operations and proposes actionable solutions for them. The authors seamlessly combine academic analyses with a rich selection of real-world cases to provide a clear framework for understanding some of the barriers that prevent firms from emerging economies from succeeding abroad and show readers what actions can be taken to achieve sustained international growth. With clear, concise arguments and examples that bring the discussion to life, this insightful book will appeal to managers and students alike.
Why have relatively poor and underdeveloped countries been able to spawn so many global firms in the last two decades? Are emerging market multinationals (EMNCs) really different from successful multinationals from developed economies? This book tackles these and other fundamental theoretical questions about EMNCs. A distinguished group of researchers assesses the unique strategies and behavior of successful EMNCs, from the Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei to the Indian conglomerate Tata, to the South African beverages firm SABMiller. They address a range of topics, such as the drivers of internationalization by EMNCs; their distinctive process capabilities; how they catch up with established rivals on technology; how state ownership or business-group affiliation affects their behavior; and why they sometimes relocate their headquarters to advanced economies. This book will appeal to scholars and graduate students in global strategy and international business, as well as consultants of multinational companies, looking for state-of-the-art analysis of EMNCs.