India is a promising market in which the middle-income bracket is expanding rapidly, and yet many Japanese firms are not necessarily doing well in India. Firms such as Toyota Motor Corporation and Panasonic have been lagging behind Hyundai Motors and LG Electronics, Korean firms, in terms of market share and business performance. This paper investigates and compares market entry approaches as well as expansion strategies taken by Japanese and Korean firms in India. In conducting the study, we also explore the validity of operationalizing the concept of dynamic capabilities in marketing function, namely marketing dynamic capabilities (MDCs). Three key components of MDCs' framework, product development management, customer relationship management, and supply chain management are examined with the focus on their applicability regarding an emerging market. Academic literatures, industry journals and periodicals are reviewed to identify the areas of investigation, and hearings with the business practitioners are conducted to verify and complement the facts. The comparative study found the most significant difference in the process of product development management between Japanese and Korean firms: Korean firms conducted detailed market research upon entering the market, and developed products based on the research results. On the other hand, Japanese firms did not place importance on understanding local needs. They shifted their market approach in the late 2000's, yet a 10 year lag resulted in a significant difference in an area such as market share. With reference to customer relationship management, similarities are observed in media advertisement with TV commercials. They both strengthen sales and service organizations in preparing to tap the provincial areas. With regard to supply chain management, it is also similar that they all try optimizing costs through local procurement and production. The research findings imply the importance of order of practicing three key processes of MDCs, specifically in an emerging market; product development management being the most significant. Future research areas such as communications among a firm's head office and overseas subsidiaries, which falls outside of the MDCs' framework, are also discussed.
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