Beyond Sun and Sea: International Strategy and Entrepreneurship in Caribbean Firms

Caribbean firms cope with international competition both in their small domestic economies, and as they extend their operations outside their home countries. This volume explores their struggles and successes in fifteen case studies developed from interviews with Caribbean firms at key decision points in their internationalizing processes. The cases ask the reader to offer direction; to evaluate choices made or to opine on paths not taken. The cases feature over thirty countries in Americas, Europe and the Caribbean. These appear as markets, domiciles or hosts of subsidiaries of the internationalizing Caribbean firm. For example, one of the Barbadian cases describes a food caterer operating in ten countries in South, Central and North America. The cases cover multiple industries including cement manufacturing; supermarkets; shipping; remittances; banking; tourism; rum production; shrimp harvesting; food manufacturing; airline catering. For example, a case features a Jamaican firm facing exit from its eighty year old shipping this business. The managerial challenges described are diverse. In the cases, decision-makers from Grace Kennedy, GoddardAEs Enterprises or TCL share practical experiences including decisions on marketing (e.g., pricing and retail locations); financing and accounting (e.g., alternative financing options); international strategy (e.g., alliances and take-overs); corporate governance; operations and personnel. The cases reflect the conversations with practising managers who raised questions such as: oHow does one define the Caribbean manager?o oHow do we exploit our diaspora markets?o oHow can small firms scale up?o oWhere should we locate headquarters?o oWhat should be the role of regional governments?o oHow do we pick allies and manage alliances?o All fifteen cases add to understanding emerging market multinationals particularly those domiciled in small island developing states characterized by tiny internal markets, limited international influence and environmental fragility. They add insight to work on Caribbean entrepreneurship, business and economics and to studies of international business in developing countries. Version 2 (250): Beyond Sea and Sun: Internationalization by Caribbean Firms Caribbean firms cope with international competition both in their small domestic economies, and as they extend their operations outside their home countries and region. This volume explores their struggles and successes in fifteen case studies developed from interviews with Caribbean firms at a key decision point of their internationalizing processes. The cases ask the reader to offer direction; to evaluate choices made or to opine on paths not taken. All fifteen cases add to understanding emerging market multinationals particularly those domiciled in small island developing states characterized by tiny internal markets, limited international influence and environmental fragility. They add to work on Caribbean entrepreneurship, business and economics and to studies of international business in developing countries. The volume features over thirty countries in the Americas, Europe and the Caribbean. These appear as markets, domiciles or hosts of subsidiaries of the internationalizing Caribbean firm. For example, a Barbadian case describes a food catering firm operating in ten countries in South, Central and North America. The cases cover multiple industries including cement manufacturing; supermarket operations; shipping; remittances; banking; tourism; rum production; shrimp harvesting; food manufacturing; airline catering. For example, one case features a Jamaican firm facing exit from its port operations after eighty years in the business. The managerial challenges described are diverse. They include decisions on marketing; financing and accounting; international strategy; corporate governance; operations and personnel. Each case posits an international entrepreneurial challenge and asks the reader to analyse, opine, learn and perhaps even empathize with the decision-makers. Version 3 (250): Beyond Sea and Sun: Internationalization by Caribbean Firms Caribbean firms cope with international competition both in their small domestic economies, and as they extend their operations outside of their home countries and region. This volume explores their struggles and successes in fifteen case studies developed from interviews with Caribbean firms at key decision points in their internationalizing processes. The cases ask the reader to offer direction; to evaluate choices made or to opine on paths not taken. All fifteen cases add to understanding emerging market multinationals particularly those domiciled in small island developing states characterized by tiny internal markets, limited international influence and environmental fragility. They add to work on Caribbean entrepreneurship, business and economics and to studies of international business in developing countries. The cases reflect the conversations with the practising managers who raised questions such as: oHow does one define the Caribbean manager?o oHow do we exploit our diaspora markets?o oWhat are the benefits of internationalizing?o oHow do Caribbean firms succeed at post-merger integration outside of the region?o How can our small firms scale up?o oHow do we create legitimacy in overseas markets?o Should we keep our headquarters in the region?o oHow do we finance international expansion?o oWhat should be the role of the regional governments? o oHow do we pick allies and manage alliances?o The cases help the reader to explore these practical topics. Each case posits an international entrepreneurial challenge and asks the reader to analyse, opine, learn and perhaps even empathize with the decision makers.