Daewoo Group companies run a distant third or fourth in their respective industries in Korea, but they are rapidly expanding their presence, mainly through acquisitions, in foreign markets. In this context, Daewoo Electronics makes a bid in 1996 for the heavily indebted French electronics manufacturer Thomson Multimedia, which is being privatised.

The purpose of this case is to convey an understanding of the cross-border economic, political and financial risks faced by companies doing business in emerging markets under high-stress conditions.

Daewoo Group companies run a distant third or fourth in their respective industries in Korea, but they are rapidly expanding their presence, mainly through acquisitions, in foreign markets. In this context, Daewoo Electronics makes a bid in 1996 for the heavily indebted French electronics manufacturer Thomson Multimedia, which is being privatised.