Knowledge Management in Multinational Subsidiary in Indonesia: A lesson learned

Last year, among the students I was supervising, was a brilliant student from Indonesia who finally got her MSc with distinction: Mirta Amalia. Her dissertation explored and investigated the ways in which a multinational company susbsidiary devised and implemented the knowledge management strategy. It was a very interesting dissertation. She found fascinating empirical data on the importance of “enabling session” which was arguably vital in the process of tacit knowledge transfer within the company. However, she noted that this scheme was at large at risk as there had been no clear prioritisation.

I can keep on and on and on talking about her dissertation, but I’d better stop here. Contact her directly if you want to read her intriguing dissertation. What I want to say is that the way she formulated and wrote the dissertation was quite sophisticated and I thought the dissertation should not stop there. So I encouraged her to build on that work and write papers.

Corporate governance: Towards bonum commune?

Perspective is about bringing together things that seem to have no relation to each other so that they could be more easily understood in a context. It sounds simple. But it helps scrutinising the relationship between noble idea of good governance and hullabaloo of corporate responsibility. Why these two? Firstly, because discourse about good governance today cannot but touch upon the issue of corporate governance. And secondly, because corporate responsibility has become the issue of corporate governance.

It has been admitted that corporations are playing vital role in developments as they create employment, produce goods and services, bring investments and thus economic growth. As no one would disagree that good governance is necessary for development, neither do they contradict the idea that good governance should be applied to corporate world. Even, it flowers a thought that business should be allowed to regulate themselves.

Martabat buruh, kinerja modal dan penyelenggaraan publik

Oleh Yanuar Nugroho
CSR Review 13 Januari 2008

“Globalisasi produksi kini tengah membentuk kembali lansekap ekonomi internasional. Dengan itu, pengetahuan lama yang mengatakan bahwa negara maju adalah eksportir modal dan teknologi dan negara berkembang sebagai importirnya pelan-pelan harus minggir dan memberikan tempat bagi relasi keduanya yang lebih kompleks… Tren saat ini mempunyai implikasi yang penting bagi pembagian kerja di dunia. Pandangan tradisional bahwa aktivitas produksi yang lebih kompleks dilakukan di Utara dan yang sederhana di Selatan makin tidak mencerminkan realitas. Perusahaan kini melihat bahwa negara berkembang menjadi penting bukan hanya karena buruh murah, tetapi terutama pertumbuhan, ketrampilan dan teknologi.”

Setelah demo masif para buruh menolak revisi UU No. 13/2003 yang sarat dengan pengabaian hak-hak pekerja, pemerintah akhirnya mengambil sikap untuk mengevaluasi pelaksanaan UU tersebut sebelum merevisinya.  Tentu sikap ini disambut baik oleh buruh. Namun, pengusaha menunjukkan gelagat lain: mereka ngotot minta revisi segera dilakukan dengan tetap menggunakan draft yang sudah ditolak tersebut. Alasannya, revisi itu perlu untuk memikat investasi.  Jika saja kita mau sedikit lebih jeli melihat problematika ketenagakerjaan itu, disana ada tegangan mendasar: martabat manusia dan kuasa modal.

FSPI: Stand by your people, G33 Ministers!

Earlier today, 20 March 2007, the G33 Meeting was kicked-off in Jakarta. Various Indonesian civil society groups worry that the meeting will be intervened by other interests, especially WTO — indicated by the (unnecessary) presence of Pascal Lamy –and some other developed countries’ representatives– at the meeting. FSPI, one of the civil society coalitions organised a rally to ‘welcome’ the meeting today. Mohammed Ikhwan of FSPI reported below.

Commodum toti populo – The benefit is for the whole society

An Indonesian business magazine, Investor, just interviewed me via email. The interview was about CSR/corporate social responsibility. From the long question list that I reviewed, the magazine seems to be genuinely seeking for more comprehensive understanding about the topic. So, albeit my tight schedule and deadlines for my PhD writing up and preparing a talk among Indonesian students in the UK on ‘privatisation’ this weekend, I spent nearly 90 minutes completing the interview.

On regulating business

I almost could not believe what I have just heard today from CORE Coalition, UK: EU Parliament demands environmental and social regulation for business by passing a resolution earlier today (13/3/06) (Here is the news). This is truly a good news for me, and I believe, also for many people who want to see the corporate world acts more justly, responsibly and accountably.

Tanggung jawab dan Keberlanjutan

CSR Review, Edisi 1, Business Watch Indonesia, Oktober 2005

Yanuar Nugroho*
Direktur Eksekutif – The Business Watch Indonesia

Dengan nilai penjualan tekstil berbahan katun mencapai 2,1 trilyun dollar AS tahun 2000 dan diperkirakan omzetnya akan melejit ke 10 trilyun dollar AS tahun 2010 nanti, pantas jika para pelaku industri tekstil Indonesia waswas menanti diakhirinya kuota global tekstil akhir tahun ini. Mengapa? Karena jika tidak menjadi ‘pelaku yang baik’ di dalam global supply chain industri tekstil dunia, mereka akan ditinggalkan pasar[1]. Dan apa itu pelaku bisnis yang baik? Washington menjawab dengan tegas: produsen tekstil di Indonesia harus memperhatikan soal tanggung jawab sosial korporasi (Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR) seperti kesejahteraan pekerja dan perlindungan lingkungan jika ingin mengakses pasar tekstil AS[2].

Tatakelola bisnis: Menuju bonum commune?

Media Indonesia, 25 September 2005
Yanuar Nugroho
Direktur Eksekutif, The Business Watch Indonesia

Perspektif membantu kita memahami hal-hal yang nampaknya tak berkaitan, atau sebaliknya mempertanyakan hubungan sesuatu yang nampaknya jelas dan sudah diterima luas. Misalnya, gagasan mulia good governance (tatakelola yang baik) dan corporate social responsibility (CSR, tanggung jawab sosial korporasi).

Mengapa dua hal ini? Pertama, karena menggagas tatakelola tidak bisa tidak menyentuh tatakelola korporasi dan bisnis. Dan kedua, karena CSR nampaknya sedang menjadi pusat perhatian dalam tatakelola korporasi dan bisnis.

Bisnis Pun Ada di Simpang Jalan

Opini Kompas, 22 September 2005, h.38

http://www.kompas.com/kompas-cetak/0509/22/opini/2068215.htm

Mungkin hanya kebetulan bahwa Forum Asia untuk Tanggung Jawab Sosial Perusahaan (Asian Forum for Corporate Social Responsibility/AFCSR) dan Forum Resistensi Lokal (Local Resistance Forum/LRF) diadakan di tempat dan waktu yang sama, Jakarta, 8-9 September 2005.

Forum tersebut menghadirkan jaringan lokal, regional, dan internasional. Keduanya membicarakan tantangan zaman ini: implikasi globalisasi dan ekonomi neoliberal. Pertemuan tersebut juga menempatkan keprihatinan atas nasib Bumi dan penghuninya.

Dilema Tanggung Jawab Korporasi

Media Indonesia – OPINI – 23 Agustus 2005

Yanuar Nugroho

SESUDAH berbagai gebrakan melawan korupsi, kabinet SBY-JK tampaknya kini mencecar tanggung jawab korporasi. Menindaklanjuti hasil Program Penilaian Peringkat Perusahaan (Proper) 2005 yang dilansir awal bulan ini, KLH sudah mengeluarkan ancaman dini. Ia akan menggugat perusahaan berperingkat hitam dengan dakwaan pencemaran lingkungan (Media Indonesia, 9/8).

Social accountability more than just being responsible

Opinion and Editorial – THE JAKARTA POST, November 09, 2004

Yanuar Nugroho

The world-famous business strategy consultant, Peter F. Drucker, in a recent interview in Joel Bakan’s new book, The Corporation (2004), says “If you find an executive who wants to take on social responsibilities, fire him. Fast.”

Those who believe, or are in favor of, corporate social responsibility (CSR) may be shocked. But, bravery is indeed needed to scrutinize the very heart of business practice, without which we may be misled when addressing the role of business and corporations in our lives today.

Akuntabilitas

TEROPONG – Mingguan Hidup, November 2004

Yanuar Nugroho

Sampai hari ini, masih ramai soal Teluk Buyat. Konon kabarnya, dari tambang emas yang dikelola oleh PT. Newmont Minahasa Raya itu, dibuang ke laut lebih dari 2.000 ton tailing atau limbah tambang yang mengandung logam berat setiap harinya. Akibatnya, lebih dari 100 warga Buyat, Ratatotok, Kabupaten Minahasa Selatan, Provinsi Sulawesi Utara, menderita penyakit Minamata, yaitu kerusakan saraf. Mereka menderita gatal-gatal dan kejang pada tubuh, kemudian muncul benjolan. Benjolan yang muncul dalam banyak varian pada sejumlah penderita, yakni di tangan, kaki, tengkuk, pantat, kepala atau payudara ini diduga sebagai akibat kontaminasi logam berat arsen dan merkuri yang mencemari Teluk Buyat dari PT NMR .

Hight time to reform IMF and World Bank

Opinion and Editorial, The Jakarta Post, Thursday, 22 April 2004
by Yanuar Nugroho

Ten years ago, many international NGOs launched the legendary “50 Years is Enough!” campaign to highlight the negative roles of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Now, ten years later, they have decided to launch the International Days of Action Against the IMF and the WB on from April 16 to April 25 to expose — this time more extensively — the WB and IMF’s failures.

Rethinking Globalization: Nirvana or Armageddon?

Opinion & Editorial, The Jakarta Post, Monday, January 05, 2004
by Yanuar Nugroho,

Globalization remains a paradox up to today in our world. It brings about dramatic economic growth and advancement of technology, but at the same time also causes unprecedented human and ecological problems. Anthony Giddens (1999) describes this situation as being like a runaway “juggernaut” with all of us being trapped in it — neither able to control the course nor to stop it. We may become wealthier and have a better life, but we also suffer from the “manufactured risks” like new diseases, computer viruses, etc.

Fear and loathing of agrarian modernization

The Jakarta Post, 27 October 2003 : opinion & editorial

Yanuar Nugroho

During the international trade talks last month in Cancun, Mexico, South Korean leader of its farmers’ and fishers’ union, Lee Kyung-hae, 54, stabbed himself at a violent protest. The former lawmaker, who later died, had earlier climbed a high security fence and waved a banner that read “WTO kills farmers”.

With regard to the controversy upon his death, he may have been correct in addressing that concern.

Freeing up services: Delayed, not canceled

OPINION & EDITORIAL – The Jakarta Post, 24 September 2003

Yanuar Nugroho

Rejoicing and lamentation greeted the collapse of the world trade talks in Cancun last week. Those who lamented represented the developed countries, which have had their pursuit of profit slowed down. Those celebrating included representatives of developing countries, which prematurely thought that it was a victory of the poor world against large corporations.

Political economics behind efforts to eliminate piracy

The Jakarta Post, OPINION & EDITORIAL – Tuesday, August 12, 2003
Yanuar Nugroho,

Recently my old laptop was seriously attacked by a worm virus called W.32Yaha@mm. The computer became slow and the virus started sending unauthorized emails, spreading the virus to all the people in my address book.

Almost instantly, I activated the “update” of my Anti-Virus software to prevent further damage and to destroy the virus. My attempt failed. An error-message was displayed on my screen stating, “Your Anti-Virus has expired”.

Trade: A market fundamentalism (Part 2 of 2)

The Jakarta Post – OPINION & EDITORIAL – Friday, July 25, 2003
by Yanuar Nugroho,

There is series of issues called the “Singapore Issues” or “New Issues” to be launched at Cancun, that consist of the issues of investment policy, competition policy, transparency in government procurement and trade facilitation.

Actually, investment policy will be the only new issue at Cancun. How important is this issue?

Trade between nations needs to be regulated (Part 1 of 2)

The Jakarta Post – OPINION & EDITORIAL – Thursday, July 24, 2003

Yanuar Nugroho,

This is a true story, cited from a good book, The Little Earth Book (2002). Tatu Museyni grows coffee in Tanzania. The price she gets for her coffee has halved from 1980 to 2000. It halved again in the last two years. Her income is down to US$30 for the whole year. Her children no longer go to school and the family faces starvation.

Indonesia’s education system faces disaster

The Jakarta Post – OPINION & EDITORIAL, Friday, July 04, 2003

by Yanuar Nugroho

For those genuinely concerned about what is going on in the education system in this country, the present might be the right time to reflect on and rethink what we believe and value about education as the basis of development. Let us examine these two issues.