From its beginnings in Zambia in 1977 to its current base of operations in South Africa, the narrative of India's Tata Africa Holdings "incorporates the textbook ingredients of how overseas businesses should be seeded," India's Frontline magazine says.
Aside from a successful business strategy (revenues estimated at $200 million in 2005-2006), the main ingredients of the Tata Group's success in Africa, the article says, are the company's attention to integrating into the local community and initiating programs that reinforce its image as a responsible corporate citizen. The article goes on to describe some of the company's initiatives in Africa:
"[It] has sponsored young South Africans to train in jewelry design at Tata Titan Industries, the watch and jewelry making company from the Tata stable. Then, there will be an extension of the adult literacy program that Tata Consultancy Services first pioneered in India to Africa and its local languages in collaboration with World Development Bank Trust which is involved in empowering women in South Africa. It has also come out with a scheme for recognising outstanding college students with the award of Tata scholarships. "
Tata was always ahead of others in Indian Business environment, except phase 1980-1997.
In the world business environment, corporate ethics is not the buzzword for Human Resource-development, but more importanlt, the vanguard in board of directors' meeting.
Now, everyone has to accept, it is people that manages process and system, not vice versa.
Tata is building competency, based on this notion. No doubt, it is building a great castle. But, makes everyone in proximity- happy
Posted by: nitish | March 20, 2007 at 08:13 AM
The rise of India and China in Africa is profound. I am watching the summit in Beijing closely. Will this be a boon for Africa or a not such a hot deal. I was hoping to have a decent discussion about it on my forum at www.internationalstrategy.org. Please stop by if you are interested.
Posted by: Busk | November 03, 2006 at 02:27 PM