A comprehensive look at understanding India with a strategic framework that can be readily used for doing business in this market is needed. Doing Business in India discusses the cultural and consumer profile of the people of India and how these fit into the macroeconomic context. The analytical framework provided and illustrated with real case examples spans domains such as the institutional context of the country (full of voids and amazing peculiarities) and the interesting federalist political framework in a country with many states. Based on this foundation, the book introduces the business strategies appropriate for both rural and urban markets in India. The following chapters cover the successful implementation of these strategies in India. The remaining chapters focus on successful cross-cultural management of Indian managers and employees, the appropriate types of leadership required for managing the Indian workforce, the types of managerial control systems likely to be successful in this country, and the HRM practices that can help companies to win in this market.
List of figures List of tables Preface About the author Endorsements 1: Why India? Abstract Doing business in India: a strategic framework 2: The institutional context Abstract Challenges provided by the institutional context: case example The role of government in institutions Implications for MNCs 3: The macroeconomic context Abstract Path from mixed economy to liberalized capitalism Towards a free market economy Inflation Fiscal deficit in India Main sectors of the economy The informal economy 4: Political particularities in India Abstract Parliamentary democracy in India Federalism in India Business implications of federalism 5: Profile of consumers and markets in India Abstract Contrasting consumer values in India 6: Strategies adapted to Indian needs Abstract Industry life cycle and stages Case example: Reliance Retail5 Discussion questions Financial highlights 7: Rural India and bottom-of-the-pyramid markets Abstract India’s cultural roots BoP markets in rural India Special challenges in rural markets Case example: ITC and India’s BoP markets Conclusion Appendix ITC’s triple bottom line achievement 8: Competitive advantage of India Abstract Opportunities for MNCs in this sector 9: Leadership of Indian intellectual capital Abstract Leadership for technological progress in India Leadership for the rights of self-determination Leadership for total revolution Leadership for business and economic development Desirable leadership qualities in India Knowledge leadership for MNC managers in India 10: Organization and control systems for India Abstract Organizational structure to match India strategy Control systems 11: Successful HRM for India Abstract Flexibility for businesses v. problems of contract labor Wages, workers’ rights, and union recognition Key HRM challenges in India Best HRM practices in India Compensation and reward systems Integrating an Indian JV partner post acquisition Cultural knowledge-sharing mechanisms References Further reading Index
C. Lakshman is currently Professor of International Management at Tongji University, Shanghai, China. Lakshman’s work has appeared in various journals such as Journal of International Business Studies and Journal of Management Studies. His main areas of research interest are leadership, knowledge management, decision making in organizations, Strategic HRM, and Organizational theory.
