The message of this book is simple: national culture, through its influence on corporate culture, has a powerful but often-invisible impact on the success of global companies. What's more, the very same national traits that accelerate growth at one stage of the corporate life cycle may derail that growth at a different stage or when an inevitable crisis hits.

How did Samsung Electronics become the world's largest consumer electronics company in less than 20 years, unseating dominant Sony Corporation in the process? What pivotal role did the national heritage of both companies play in this? How did Toyota create a sustainable competitive advantage for almost 25 years, by adapting a global business philosophy deeply rooted in Japanese culture? How did the Finnish roots of Nokia and the American roots of GM first help both companies, only later to derail their success?

In a global world where most processes and products can and will be copied, culture matters more than ever, and as this book shows, can be a source of sustainable competitive advantage! As they say: 'Culture eats Strategy for lunch!' Through case examples that include: Toyota, Austin Motor Company (later British Leyland), Samsung, Sony, Nokia, and P&G, Hammerich and Lewis provide a new conceptual framework and 10 vital tools for analyzing corporate culture and diagnosing the dynamics that drive the success of global companies.

"Finally a book that addresses the unique competitive edge of all entities, culture. While culture can work in negative and positive ways, understanding its impact on an organization's goals and doing something about it is the job of all leaders. Thanks to Richard Lewis and Kai Hammerich, we now have the tools to do just that. This book is a must read for any global leader who works across national, economic and cultural boundaries."
--Steven J. DeKrey, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Asian Institute of Management; former Graduate Dean at The HKUST Business School, Asia's leading MBA school

"This great book is an invaluable resource and a superb toolkit for all Executives and HR professionals leading or supervising international businesses and teams. Culture matters more than ever and is a unique source of sustainable competitive differentiation. A maverick piece of work from Kai Hammerich and Richard Lewis with absolute word-class insights!"
--Wilbert J. M. Buiter, former Chief HR Officer at Philips Communications, NCR and ING Group

"As a global and yet distinctly Finnish company, Nokia's strength is derived from its roots, as well as its willingness to draw upon the unique elements of the many cultures of its people around the world. Having met and worked with both Richard Lewis and Kai Hammerich, I have come to value their unique insight into the interplay of national and corporate cultures."
--Stephen Elop, President and CEO of Nokia Corporation