Doing Business in India [Hardcover]

Rajesh Kumar (Author), Anand Sethi (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1403967520 | ISBN-13: 978-1403967527 | Publication Date: September 22, 2005 | Edition: First Edition

This book analyzes the evolution of India as a major global economic player and what it takes to succeed in the Indian business environment. Kumar and Sethi describe the Indian political, socio-cultural, and economic environment, exposing the constraints and opportunities that the environment poses for the foreign investor. They also reveal the strategies of success for the foreign investor in India. Examples of both successful as well as unsuccessful attempts to penetrate the Indian market are provided.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Managers of multinational companies easily recognize the paradox of doing business in India: it is both an enormous opportunity and a formidable challenge. Doing Business in India first demystifies the country for Western managers. By describing the underpinnings that animate the behavior of Indian businessmen, bureaucrats, politicians, and managers, it imparts much needed understanding of the country. The book then lays out sensible ways by which Western managers could build their business efforts on such solid understanding. This book completely fulfills its promise of helping managers do business in India."
--Srinivasa Rangan, Professor of Strategy and International Business, Babson College, Massachusetts and Co-author of the best selling book Strategic Alliances: An Entrepreneurial Approach to Globalization

"Doing Business in India. A Guide for Western Managers is a timely and welcome door-opener to India which is rapidly evolving as a major global actor. I find the focus on software industry well motivated, and I am proud to see Wartsila´s success as a case study."
--Paula Lehtomäki, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development of Finland
"Having been working with Indians and Indian companies and Government agencies for some years it was with great expectations I started reading this book. I found the book very interesting, to the point and of great value. In my mind it is more than a guide as it gives some of the fundamental historical and cultural background necessary for a westerner to understand how and what makes Indian businessmen tick. I am convinced the book will be a must for Western Managers wanting to explore business opportunities in India"
--Theis S. Ulriksen, Commercial Counsellor, Royal Norwegian Embassy (ret.), Director Innovation Norway (ret.)

“Very insightful, a real insider's account of how to manage people, government, institutions, and risk in India, with sensitivity to the cultural context in which Indian business works. The introductory chapters that provide a historical context as well are unique. The case studies, which contain up-to-date material, provide frameworks for multinational businessmen to create their own reference points.”
--Rafiq Dossani, Senior Research Scholar, Stanford University

About the Author

Rajesh Kumar is an associate professor of International Business at the Aarhus School of Business in Denmark.

 

Anand Sethi is an independent consultant who works in New Delhi, India.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; First Edition edition (September 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403967520
• ISBN-13: 978-1403967527
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #530,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile, though not breezy, insight into India, June 1, 2006

By 

Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Doing Business in India (Hardcover)

This short book first explores India's history and cultural background, and then provides guidelines for doing business in India. The historical background may seem remote from day-to-day business considerations, but, in fact, it is essential to understanding the apparent anomalies of Indian negotiating styles, management behavior, government policies and so forth. getAbstract urges readers to be patient with the book's small type and sometimes convoluted sentence structure, for if you are, you will discover much to reward you. The authors examine business challenges in India, including strategic planning, personnel management, government relations, negotiations and conflict resolution. Any manager investing in, working in or outsourcing to India will find this book very useful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overall analysis with history and case examples, November 22, 2007

By 

Rana Sinha (Finland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Doing Business in India (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book with lots of real life examples of failures and successes from the corporate world.

The small print demands patience as does the academic styles of writing with long sentences and references. If the reader can put up with these hurdles, there is a wealth of information. Many readers looking for quick-fixes might get put off with the history sections, but understanding the background and history is very important. In general Indians are very eager to discuss history and appreciate managers who are able to do so.

The authors also tackle the impact of religion and fundamentalism on Indian managerial behaviour. Most similar books don't do this.

The chapter on 'Communicating with Indians' has many suggestions. There are no bullet-point lists to help memorize the insights and tips, so the reader has to use pen and paper and make own notes. The chapter 'Managing Relationships with the Indian Government:The Critical Challenges for Multinational Firms' is a politically correct version of the tips and skills managers in multinationals would need.

The chapter on Negotiating and Resolving Conflicts in India would have been of more value if there would have been case examples and scenarios.

This book is not an easy to read "How-to-do-list" book for the impatient 5-minute manager. One thing missing in this book is personal behaviour aspects, which would help foreign managers manage better in India. Maybe we shall see these in the next edition.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Getting ready to do business in India, September 21, 2007

By 

World Traveler - See all my reviews

This review is from: Doing Business in India (Hardcover)

Well written, interesting and easy to read. Of particular interest to me was the section on working with the government. Also the book was consistent with what I learned at a business course at Cal Tech on the same topic. Good choice for anyone interested in both the business and cultural aspects of doing business in India.