1. Should Lincoln Electric (LE) expand into the Indian market by investing in a major production facility there? The decision to expand into the Indian market by investing in production facilities must be supported by the desired market entry strategy, in conjunction with market requirements, expected demand profile and the regional manufacturing footprint (ref Figure 3). Key manufacturing options to support market entry include in leveraging LE’s regional manufacturing capability in Indonesia & China, OEM/outsourced manufacturing, new facilities, or other JV/partnership manufacturing arrangements (ref Figure 4). ‘In market’ manufacturing would provide greater flexibility with shorter lead times and lower distribution costs, but would require upfront capital outlay and therefore be a higher risk and more inflexible entry strategy. The key challenge to ‘in market’ manufacturing is balancing capacity with demand as the speed and effectiveness of the market entry over time, which is somewhat uncertain. The risk of overcapacity is considered an opportunity cost of capital, while the risk of under capacity is lost sales and market share. Co-investment and joint venture manufacturing arrangements can help lower capital costs and leverage existing local capability, however, this approach also needs to consider the risk of IP loss and lower management control. In contrast, leveraging LE existing Indonesia & China manufacturing capability via an import model would lower upfront
The founders of the Lincoln Electric Company left a legacy of an organization culture that promotes high productivity through sound management policies which have stood the test of time. The exponential growth of the company after the death of James F. Lincoln was a direct result of the establishment of a rich culture mix based on values that were widely shared and accepted by the members of the organization. Management empowered employees to become part of the decision making process through the contribution of ideas through the Advisory Board which was elected by the employees from amongst themselves. Reward management systems and all the other artifacts of the Lincoln Electric’s distinguished strong organizational culture will be analyzed in greater detail in this essay.
Lincoln Electric (LE) has been a producer of electrical and welding technology products since the late 1800's. The company remained primarily a family and employee held company until 1995, then approximately 40% of its equity went to the public. James Lincoln, one of the founders, developed unique management techniques that effectively motivated the employees. These management techniques were implemented as an unusual (for the era) structure of compensation and benefits called "incentive management". The incentive management system consisted of four key areas: factory jobs based solely on piecework output; a year-end bonus that could equal or exceeded an individual's regular pay; guaranteed employment; and limited benefits. Management
What do you think of Lincoln’s emerging international strategy by the mid-1990s? Does this company have a competitive advantage that can be transferred to the global environment? How is Massaro’s recent overseas initiative different from Lincoln’s earlier failed approach?Lincoln Electric: Venturing Abroad
The need for a solid market entry decision is an integral part of a global market entry strategy. Entry decisions heavily influence the firm’s other marketing-mix decisions. Company can enter International Market with many ways, some of them are as follows:
With the years going by, Lincoln Electric Company, despite its excellent performance in production, has been growing in a very steady speed, and never really grew to a large scale company.
Irrespective of your answer to the first question, suppose Lincoln Electric does expand into the Indian market by investing in a production facility: Should they enter through acquisition, Greenfield, or joint venture? What factors inform your decision among these entry modes?
Market entry strategy involves the essential requirement for a company to get into international level. The need of involving other companies whereby two companies join together is referred to as joint venture entry. They get into a similar market and make the same production with the aim of sharing risk and at the same time they share the profit according to their terms of agreement (Kretzberg, 2007). Therefore, Lincoln Electric Company has a chance to join with other company to venture in the Indian market.
Michael Gillespie, The Lincoln Electric Company’s new president for the Asia Region, was “encouraged to develop plans to open welding consumables factories in several Asian countries” by the new CEO, Anthony Massaro, and Gillespie had specifically “turned his attention to plans for Indonesia [O’Connell,[1] main reference, p 1].” We worked with Gillespie to prepare for the September 1996 meeting with Massaro and the presidents of the other worldwide regions. We analyzed Lincoln’s current capabilities and its past experiences and prepared a transformative plan based on business concept innovation [Hamel[2], ch 3], documented by this report, with a three pronged approach for the Asia Region. The first
Lincoln's competitive advantage lies mainly in its effective compensation and benefits system which put forth three main elements to spearhead the company's efforts. The trinity of elements comprised of piecework, bonus system and guaranteed employment. Piecework provided workers with a sense of autonomy in that now, workers can earn as much as they are willing to work for. The bonus levels in Lincoln far exceeded those of industry peers and were based on their contributions in the form of output, ideas, cooperation, dependability and quality. Consequently, the benefits provided by Lincoln were not extensive as they saw higher wages as substitutes for things such as insurance,
In order to make future international plants more successful than previous acquisitions, Lincoln Electric’s managers may consider re-evaluating their management control approach; carefully evaluating the international labor laws and regulations of the plant prior to deciding whether or not to invest in it; and providing increased training and development to managers and workers of both the parent company and host company to ensure understanding of both sides’ cultural values and beliefs.
Ans. An Indian expansion through an investment in the major production facility is the most logical step for Lincoln Electric in pursuance of its long term strategic goals. The company needs to be free from its dependence on North American sales; the sales in the North American markets are stagnant whereas other markets especially the Asian markets are growing significantly faster. Its long term financial targets which include sales growth double the rate of growth in worldwide industrial production, operating margins over 15%, earnings
The discussion between promoters of best practice and best fit approaches has sparked widespread controversy in the human resource management (HRM) area. The topic has gained much scholarly attention because it not only addresses a theoretical controversy but also possesses a high degree of practical managerial significance. The essay has the aim to analyse best practice and best fit approaches in HRM of a multinational enterprise. The reader receives insight into Lincoln Electric's organization through a case-study analysis of practical HR approaches serving as a basis for developing practical managerial implications in the last part of the paper.
Contract manufacturing- where manufacturing is contracted to an external foreign partner provides a low risk and potentially low cost mode of entry. Benetton and Ikea are a good example of companies who successfully rely on a contractual network of small overseas manufacturers. Benetton has over 80% of its production outsourced to 450 contractors (located in low cost production countries such as India and China). As a result of the money saved on labour, Benetton can sell products 20% cheaper, helping it to maintain a low cost position in comparison to competitors. Of course, this method may not be appropriate for every company as there is a loss of knowledge and intellectual property rights, and the transaction costs involved must also be considered.
2017). New entry market should address issues of sales channels, distribution and marketing practises with an Indian partner or agent. Since India is strong in culture, relationships and personal meeting with the agents are very important. Also should ensure that partners are credible and reliable due to diligence. Second corporate strategy is market entry options, (Export, Gov. 2017). Many foreign companies looking for opportunities in India. For entry into Indian market, identify the target market and find good partners. Moreover, foreign business should explore various market options in India include subsidiary relationship and joint ventures with local company. Third corporate strategy is geographic diversity, (Export, Gov. 2017). U.S. companies which is small or medium sized enterprises should consider India’s market on regional level. Additionally, the U.S. Commercial Services offices are in New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Kolkata provide valuable information and well connected with local business, (Export, Gov. 2017). Agents are to serve various geographic markets in the
(II) An Analysis of Existing Gaps in the Industry Supply Chain, Investment Niches, and Prospective Foreign Investors................7 (III) Major