Success in corporate and entrepreneurial organizations in Singapore

A study identifies some of the characteristics which describe success in a non-Western context and therefore challenge some of the Western concepts regarding the origins of superior organizational and entrepreneurial performance. The study focuses only on a small number of cases. The general methodology for these cases is to independently define and develop a set of concepts from each case, then try to find common elements among these concepts. The Singaporean style of a successful organization is very much integrated with a managerial culture described by concepts such as kiasu (the fear of being left behind), saving face, patience, guanxi (heavy use of a network of trusted relatives and associates), and Confucian values. Among the common characteristics of these Singaporean firms which are not typical of excellent Western firms are: 1. vertical organizational structure, 2. hands-on, value driven managers, 3. productivity through close supervision, and 4. lack of loyalty to the company.