In or Out for Chemco

Chemical Corp. of America (Chemco), a US-based petrochemical corporation, has been building up its Asia-Pacific presence since 1994, culminating in the establishment of a regional headquarters in Singapore. The onset of the Asian economic crisis puts this strategy in jeopardy and at a Board meeting held in Houston, members argue very different views about what can be done in view of the current crisis.

Participants in the session have to organize the information given in the case, ponder the positions proposed, and advise the Board on what to do while assessing the trade-offs involved. Useful in executive courses dealing with crisis management, with the management of change, and with decision making in a difficult situation in a non-western environment.