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Legendary Chinese firms have employed e‐business strategies to strengthen their competitive positions in China for market expansion since the late 1990s. E‐business practices have resulted from the convergence of digital technology, intellectual property and customer supremacy. Such convergence is transforming the “old” industrial economy, which was built primarily on tangible assets, standardization, and stand‐alone players, into a “new and virtual” economy, which is being based primarily on intangible assets, customization, and connected players. E‐business requires an integrated alignment of technology, operation, strategy, structure, and human interaction in a continuously expanding network. Consequently, e‐business facilitates a new system—the Paradigm of Network Capitalism, which removes the boundaries of space, time, organization and individuals, and creates virtual communities of stakeholders with new demands for product/service and shared interest and cooperation.

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/02651339610151908. When citing the article, please cite: Tung-lung Chang, (1996), “Cultivating global experience curve advantage on technology and marketing capabilities”, International Marketing Review, Vol. 13 Iss: 6, pp. 22 - 42.

Multinationals usually face challenges of new business practices, dynamic consumer preferences, location choices for different value chain activities, and effective co‐ordination of global operations. Suggests that multinationals cultivate global experience curve advantage by improving technology and marketing capabilities for coping with rapid changes in the global marketplace. Uses the PIMS database to examine the impact of such capabilities on a firm’s performance. Indicates that companies with higher technology and marketing capabilities tend to expand into international markets earlier and to enjoy better performance. In addition, a synergy effect between technology and marketing capabilities suggests that multinationals improve both simultaneously in raising market share to a desired level. Discusses a framework for developing global experience curve advantage and presents cases illustrating how multinationals utilize their technology and marketing capabilities successfully to create competitive edge for reaching higher overall performance.

The Western scholars have always been puzzled by Asia's unique economic system and management practice, particularly by the dramatic swings of Asia's economic performance. To shed some light on this issue, this chapter focuses on two important questions: (1) what have been the causes of success and failure of the Asian firms in the recent past; and (2) what may be the solutions to enhance the competitive advantage of the Asian firms. As a longitudinal case study, this chapter argues that any narrow or static views are problematic; the best approach is to adopt a holistic, dynamic and paradoxical perspective. The case evidence suggests that Asia's economic systems and management practices have both weaknesses and strengths; paradoxically, its major strengths could also be its major weaknesses, contingent upon the transition of different stages of economic and social development in Asia. The real challenge for Asia is to find a way to correct its weaknesses while preserving its strengths.

Marketing adaptation has been considered a factor critical to a firm′s success in international markets. In order to know how companies can effectively adapt their marketing activities to international markets, one has to go beyond marketing function to understand the development of a firm′s experience curve advantage. Presents a framework for a firm to improve its adaptive abilities in developing appropriate marketing strategies for global expansion. Strategic managers should manage the process of investing organizational slacks in order to enhance adaptive ability. Globally‐oriented Taiwanese PC firms were studied to examine the relationship between a firm′s adaptive ability and its performance. Indicates that companies can improve performance by enhancing their adaptive abilities in the areas of technology, marketing mix and finance. Suggests further research.

This paper aims to collect and compile the historical data of Guanfu Salt Farm, officially built by the Song Dynasty (960–1279) within modern Hong Kong territories, to reconstruct its history for the reflection of Hong Kong society of the time.

This paper is largely based on identification and analysis of historical documents, including keyword search on electronic databases and verification with the original sources, with reference to archaeological findings when necessary.

This paper reconstructs the history of Guanfu Salt Farm based on documentary sources with reference to archaeological findings. English translation of Chinese sources is also provided when necessary.

There has been an absence of systematic compilation of historical data of Hong Kong during the Song Dynasty, which are limited in quantity and scattered across different sources. This paper seeks to fill the vacuum of knowledge about pre-colonial Hong Kong, with a more comprehensive reconstruction of the history of Guanfu Salt Farm.

The ‘managed stock’ market in Taiwan is neglected by the authorities and general investors. In this paper, we explore the link between financial trait and stock price changes in this special market.

Overall, we analyze and discuss managerial implications for institutional investors, general investors and the authorities as well.