As the economies of Greater China continued the process of rapid transformation and industrialization, newly industrialized countries (NICs), such as Taiwan and mainland China, experienced dramatic changes in their business settings. Accompanying the industrialization of east Asian economies, business ethics were in a state of flux, as traditional values were often swept aside to justify profit maximization. In this ever-changing business environment, .....more

The case describes the unique business model of Rehabilitation Alliance Hong Kong (RAHK) beginning with its strategic alliance with Dairy Farm to run 7-Eleven convenience stores, with an aim to create job opportunities for its disabled members. The two managers then try out other forms of business, but they are not commercially effective. The case intends to explore the challenges of managing a cooperative relationship with a social conscience and .....more

The Acer Group is one of the world's largest PC and computer component manufacturers. The vice-president of Global Operations is pondering whether the timing and environment is conducive for Acer, based in Taiwan, to commence full-scale manufacturing operations in the Chinese mainland. Students are asked to examine the criteria on which Acer should base their decision to manufacture overseas, and in so doing, create the framework for a corporation's .....more

The emphasis of this case is on the deliberate governmental policy to foster industrial structure transformation, by examining the transition of the Taiwanese economy from a manufacturing-based economy to that of a successful high-tech-oriented economy. The case affords discussion on political and societal issues pertaining to the conflicts between China and Taiwan and risk confronting businesses in this peculiar environment. It also serves as a platform .....more

The emphasis of this case is on the deliberate governmental policy to foster industrial structure transformation, by examining the transition of the Taiwanese economy from a manufacturing-based economy to that of a successful high-tech-oriented economy. The case affords discussion on political and societal issues pertaining to the conflicts between China and Taiwan and risk confronting businesses in this peculiar environment. It also serves as a platform .....more

Taiwan's United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), one of the world's leading semiconductor foundries, has grown dramatically in 16 years. UMC pursued a strategy of vertical disintegration as part of the chairman's vision of turning UMC into a "pure-play" foundry. This case discusses the major technological and competitive forces affecting the industry and looks at UMC's restructuring through the eyes of the chairman. The .....more

The Acer Group is one of the world's largest PC and computer component manufacturers. The vice-president of Global Operations is pondering whether the timing and environment is conducive for Acer, based in Taiwan, to commence full-scale manufacturing operations in the Chinese mainland. Students are asked to examine the criteria on which Acer should base their decision to manufacture overseas, and in so doing, create the framework for a corporation's .....more

Over the course of many decades, Manulife had created a thriving business in Hong Kong, and it had established a series of small operations in six other Asian countries. In the fall of 1998, the Asian financial crisis was creating new expansion opportunities. Many companies that had never been for sale suddenly confronted substantial losses and were seeking investors. Asian governments, facing balance-of-payments problems, were relaxing foreign ownership .....more

The Acer Group was one of the world's largest PC and computer component manufacturers. Members of Acer's R&D management team were considering the location of a new R&D lab with a view to maximizing the effectiveness of their global R&D strategy. They must examine the strategic role the lab should take, based on country strengths in China, as well as how logistical, communication, and cross-cultural issues should be managed, taking .....more