Asian Eclipse: Exposing the Dark Side of Business in Asia - Softcover

Backman, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0471835536 ISBN 13: 9780471835530

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 1999

Synopsis

"Backman really understands why business evolved the way it did in Asia."--Economist
"Backman's brisk analysis . . . should be required reading. The real strength of Asian Eclipse is its accessibility to nonspecialists through its startling insights into the business interests, machinations, and relationships."--Independent (London)
"The research and reporting is impressive and up-to-date . . . it's a pleasure to read, rich in anecdotes and never boring or academic."--Far Eastern Economic Review
Named one of the finest general nonfiction books of 1999 by the Economist, Asian Eclipse was the first book to comprehensively assess the corporate and business practices in Asia. This revised and updated edition features a new chapter on the Internet and e-commerce in Asia and updates on current markets and events.
Michael Backman (Australia) is a leading researcher specializing in Asian corporate practice and a regular contributor to numerous leading newspapers and magazines.

About this title

Review

"Asia can be a crazy place" and conducting business in this region often means "grappling with cronies, corruption and conglomerates" according to author Michael Backman. In his book Asian Eclipse, he takes us over the proverbial Chinese wall to reveal the bribery and corruption rife in the Eastern corporate world.

Delving into what constitutes "Asianness," he exposes a highly complex corporate landscape--one where Confucian thinking pervades all aspects of business culture; bankruptcy is considered an affront to one's ancestors; the media are threatened with closure for reporting on "sensitive" issues; patriarchal management and nepotism are the norm, often ending in costly family disputes; and auditing and corporate governance are new concepts! With a thorough analysis of the different Asian markets, he lays bare the structurally inherent flaws that led to widespread economic crises from 1997 to 1998. In his view, "the real Asian 'miracle' is that the economic collapse didn't happen earlier".

Packed with detail, this book should be the bible for anyone considering doing business in Asia, but is also accessible to the lay reader. The chapters end with excellent case-studies that provide rare and fascinating insights into some of the more shady corporate practices in the region, including President Soeharto's ventures, and also the contributors to Clinton's 1996 campaign funds. Backman recounts many incidents from firsthand experience, reflecting the wealth of knowledge he has accumulated from his extensive time in Asia. --Neelam Dongha

From the Back Cover

"One of the finest general non-fiction books of the year."--The Economist

"A goldmine of facts...it should be required reading for every foreign banker and fund manager arriving in Southeast Asia."--Philip Bowring, Columnist, International Herald Tribune

"Timely and highly readable, a must for anyone in Asia daring to get into a business deal, make a deposit in teh bank, or even buy a share."--Anthony Paul, Editor-at-Large (Asia), Fortune

"Backman is a keen observer of the Asian scene...This is a hard hitting book. It doesn't hesitate to name Asian names and companies."--Frank Ching, Far Eastern Economic Review

"Asian Eclipse is one of the most enjoyable I have read of the genre...highly readable... any foreign banker or investment manager on the way to a posting in the region would do well to get a copy."--Malcolm Surrey, South China Morning Post

"...a treasure trove of detail...The research and reporting is impressive and up-to-date...a pleasure to read, rich in anecdotes and never boring or academic."--Ricardo Saludo, Asiaweek

"...as a chronicler of Asian corporate practices, Backman has done an admirable job...this is arguably the most entertaining and eye-opening book so far written on corporate cronyims in Asia."--Vikram Khanna, The Business Times (Singapore)

"Backman's brisk analysis...should be required reading. The real strength of Asian Eclipse is its accessbility to non-specialists through its startling insights into the business interests, machinations and relationships...Backman's excellent and extensive case studies are aimed at pointing out the pitfalls of foreign investors."--Gavin Greenwood, The Independent

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0471835536
• ISBN 13: 9780471835530
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 280