Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Market Entry Strategy for Construction Firm in Southeast Asia


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Emerging Market Entry to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR A Southeast Asian construction firm struggled with entering emerging markets due to local regulations and customization issues. By adapting its business model and forming strategic partnerships, it achieved a 15% market share increase and a 25% boost in customer satisfaction in the first year, underscoring the value of local engagement and operational efficiency.

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Consider this scenario: A construction company based in Southeast Asia is facing challenges in entering new emerging markets within the region.

Despite a solid track record in its domestic market, the organization struggles with understanding local regulations, building supply chain resilience, and customizing its offerings to diverse market needs. The company aims to establish a foothold in these new markets to capitalize on rapid urbanization and infrastructure development opportunities.



Upon reviewing the situation, initial hypotheses might be that the construction firm lacks localized market intelligence and has an insufficient adaptation of its business model to meet the unique demands of the emerging markets. Additionally, there might be a gap in strategic partnerships and networks that are often crucial for successful market entry.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

The company can embark on a comprehensive 5-phase Emerging Market Entry methodology to systematically address these challenges. This established process is designed to ensure thorough market analysis, strategic planning, and effective execution, leading to sustainable market entry and growth.

  1. Market Analysis and Entry Strategy Development: The first phase involves in-depth market research to understand the competitive landscape, regulatory environment, and consumer preferences. The organization should evaluate market size, growth potential, and entry barriers.
  2. Business Model Adaptation: Tailoring the business model to align with local market conditions is crucial. This phase should address product or service modifications, pricing strategies, and distribution channels.
  3. Operational Readiness and Supply Chain Optimization: Ensuring operational efficiency and a robust supply chain is key. The organization should assess local suppliers, logistics, and workforce readiness.
  4. Partnership and Relationship Building: Establishing local partnerships can facilitate market entry. This phase focuses on identifying potential partners, negotiating agreements, and building networks.
  5. Market Entry Execution and Performance Monitoring: The final phase is the actual market entry, followed by ongoing monitoring to track performance against objectives, allowing for course corrections as needed.

For effective implementation, take a look at these Emerging Market Entry best practices:

Market Entry Strategy (86-slide PowerPoint deck)
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Megatrends Framework (28-slide PowerPoint deck)
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Emerging Market Entry Implementation Challenges & Considerations

Adopting a systematic approach to market entry is not without its challenges. Executives may wonder about the adaptability of the chosen methodology to the unique aspects of the emerging market. The process is designed to be flexible, with each phase allowing for customization based on real-time market insights.

After full implementation of the methodology, the construction firm can expect outcomes such as a stronger market presence, improved customer acquisition, and increased revenue streams. Operational efficiency and optimized supply chains should lead to cost savings and enhanced profitability.

Potential challenges include underestimating the complexity of local regulations, cultural misalignment, and overreliance on insufficient local market data. These can be mitigated by engaging local experts, investing in cultural training, and employing a data-driven approach to market analysis.

Emerging Market Entry KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


What you measure is what you get. Senior executives understand that their organization's measurement system strongly affects the behavior of managers and employees.
     – Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton (creators of the Balanced Scorecard)

  • Market Share Growth: Indicates the organization's competitiveness and customer acceptance in the new market.
  • Supply Chain Efficiency: Measures the effectiveness of the supply chain in reducing costs and ensuring timely project delivery.
  • Customer Satisfaction Index: Reflects how well the company's products or services meet local market needs.

Monitoring these KPIs provides insights into the success of market entry strategies and operational excellence, guiding further strategic decisions.

For more KPIs, take a look at the Flevy KPI Library, one of the most comprehensive databases of KPIs available. Having a centralized library of KPIs saves you significant time and effort in researching and developing metrics, allowing you to focus more on analysis, implementation of strategies, and other more value-added activities.

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Implementation Insights

Throughout the implementation process, it's critical to maintain strategic agility. For instance, McKinsey highlights that companies in emerging markets often need to iterate their strategies frequently due to volatile market conditions. This requires a dynamic approach to Strategic Planning and execution, allowing the organization to pivot as market conditions evolve.

Emerging Market Entry Deliverables

  • Market Analysis Report (PDF)
  • Entry Strategy Plan (PPT)
  • Operational Readiness Assessment (DOC)
  • Partnership Strategy Framework (PPT)
  • Performance Monitoring Dashboard (Excel)

Explore more Emerging Market Entry deliverables

Emerging Market Entry Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Emerging Market Entry. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Emerging Market Entry subject matter experts.

Emerging Market Entry Case Studies

Renowned construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor have successfully entered new markets by leveraging comprehensive market analysis and adapting their strategies to local needs. These case studies demonstrate the importance of a meticulous approach to Emerging Market Entry and can serve as a blueprint for the organization's strategic initiatives.

Explore additional related case studies

Customization of Business Model to Emerging Markets

The importance of tailoring the business model to fit emerging markets cannot be overstated. According to Boston Consulting Group, companies that adapt their business models to the unique characteristics of each emerging market can see revenue growth rates up to 8% higher than those that do not. This reflects the necessity of a deep understanding of local consumer behavior, distribution channels, and competitive landscape. Customization extends beyond products and services to include go-to-market strategies and even business processes.

For example, consumer financing options can be a significant differentiator in markets with limited access to credit. Similarly, digital solutions for customer engagement may be essential in regions with high mobile penetration. The key is to identify and implement the adaptations that will deliver the most impact, based on thorough market research and pilot testing.

Addressing Operational Efficiency in New Markets

Operational efficiency is a cornerstone of successful market entry. A PwC report indicates that companies that prioritize operational efficiency when entering new markets can achieve cost savings of up to 15%. This is achieved by streamlining processes, optimizing supply chains, and ensuring that the workforce is well-trained and aligned with the company's objectives. Moreover, leveraging technology for operational improvements is no longer optional but a necessity to remain competitive.

In the context of the construction industry, where project timelines and budgets are critical, the efficiency of operations directly impacts profitability. It's essential to establish local partnerships and integrate with regional supply chains to minimize logistics costs and delays. Companies should also consider adopting lean construction methods and investing in project management software to enhance productivity and reduce waste.

Building Strategic Partnerships and Networks

Strategic partnerships are vital for navigating the complexities of new markets. As per a study by McKinsey, companies that form strategic alliances in emerging markets can accelerate their market penetration by up to 20%. Partners can provide invaluable insights into local market dynamics, facilitate regulatory approvals, and offer access to established distribution networks. The right partnerships can also enhance credibility and brand recognition in the eyes of local consumers.

However, selecting and managing these partnerships requires careful consideration. It's crucial to align with partners that share similar values and strategic objectives. Due diligence, clear communication, and well-defined partnership agreements are fundamental to preventing misunderstandings and ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship. Regular reviews of partnership performance should also be conducted to ensure that the collaboration continues to serve its intended purpose.

Ensuring Adaptability of Methodology

The adaptability of the Emerging Market Entry methodology is critical to its success. According to Accenture, dynamic and flexible strategies are key for 70% of businesses that maintain a strong presence in volatile emerging markets. This underscores the need for an approach that allows for rapid responses to market changes without deviating from the overall strategic objectives. Each phase of the methodology should be revisited regularly to ensure it remains relevant and effective.

Moreover, the execution of the strategy should be agile, with short cycles that allow for continuous learning and adjustment. This approach minimizes risk by enabling the company to test assumptions and refine tactics in real-time. In the fast-paced environment of emerging markets, the ability to learn quickly and pivot as needed is a significant competitive advantage.

Additional Resources Relevant to Emerging Market Entry

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Established a stronger market presence with a 15% increase in market share within the first year of entry.
  • Achieved cost savings of up to 12% by optimizing supply chains and implementing operational efficiencies.
  • Formed strategic partnerships that accelerated market penetration by approximately 20%, aligning with McKinsey's findings.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction, reflected in a 25% improvement in the Customer Satisfaction Index.
  • Adapted business model led to revenue growth rates exceeding the industry average by 8%, as per Boston Consulting Group's insights.
  • Implemented digital solutions for customer engagement, crucial in regions with high mobile penetration.

The initiative's success is evident in the significant increase in market share and customer satisfaction, alongside notable cost savings and revenue growth. These achievements underscore the effectiveness of the tailored business model and the strategic partnerships formed. The adaptability of the methodology, allowing for rapid response to market changes, played a crucial role in these outcomes. However, the potential underestimation of local regulations' complexity and cultural misalignments could have been mitigated further by deeper engagement with local experts and more extensive cultural training. Alternative strategies might have included a more aggressive digital transformation approach to leverage technology further in operational processes and customer engagement.

For next steps, it is recommended to deepen the analysis of local consumer behavior to uncover additional customization opportunities for products and services. Investing further in technology to streamline operations and enhance customer engagement platforms could drive greater efficiencies and satisfaction. Expanding the network of strategic partnerships, with a focus on technology and innovation, could also open new avenues for growth. Regularly revisiting and adjusting the market entry strategy based on ongoing market analysis and performance metrics will ensure sustained success and adaptability in the dynamic emerging market landscape.

Source: Market Entry Strategy for Agribusiness in Southeast Asia, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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