2011 State of the Industry (In-House) Report: Global
Corporations "Must Rethink" Asian Engagement Strategies
HONG KONG, March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Western
corporations must do more to localise their operating plans,
government relations strategies and senior staffing profiles if
they are to achieve their goals in Asia Pacific. These are the
central findings of the PublicAffairsAsia In-House "State of the
Industry Report" which was conducted among senior-level corporate
public affairs practitioners representing global and Asian
multinational corporations operating in Asia Pacific.
The survey, conducted in partnership between PublicAffairsAsia
and The Research Pacific Group, highlights how an emerging public
affairs and lobbying industry is developing in Asia. But it also
sounds a series of alarm bells about future strategies, talent
shortages and the impact of nationalism and corruption in the Asian
governmental and business environment.
The report, published today by PublicAffairsAsia magazine and
network, finds that three quarters of PA industry leaders in Asia
Pacific believe that global operating plans, public affairs and
government relations practices will have to change to accommodate
the shift in geopolitical and economic power to the East.
The report, conducted among 43 leading corporations, also
suggests that many business structures in Asia Pacific may not be
fit for purpose. Despite the fact that many business units are
built around the Asian map, senior practitioners are unanimous in
stressing that Asia cannot be viewed as a market in the same way as
Europe or North America. Significant moves towards the localisation
of strategies and practices are essential if MNCs are to achieve
their business goals, the report suggests.
Commenting on the findings of the survey, Craig Hoy, Executive
Director of PublicAffairsAsia, said: "This report proves that
global companies need to rewrite their operating plans, localise
their government relations teams and develop more strategic
engagement techniques if they are to influence the political and
regulatory environments in which they are operating. Nationalism
and corruption remain concerns for PA directors, and staffing
constraints appear to be holding back the development of
corporations in Asia Pacific."
The State of the Industry (In-House) survey also finds that 70
per cent of practitioners believe that an identifiable PA and
lobbying industry is emerging in Asia. However three in four
believe that the term "public affairs" is not fully understood,
although 68 per cent concede it is better understood than it was
previously. The study also identifies significant staffing and
capacity concerns, with a large number of PA industry leaders
warning that staff shortages in the corporate affairs and
government relations arenas is impeding international firms'
development plans.
The report received strong support from senior corporate public
affairs and communications professionals engaged in Asia's
increasingly complex governmental, communications and regulatory
markets.
Welcoming the report, Stephen Forshaw, Microsoft's Director of
Corporate Communications in Asia Pacific, said: "This report
reminds business just how important it is to invest in the public
affairs practice, build skills, retain talent and stay ahead of the
new challenges that will come with growth and a globalised
economy."
Stephen Thomas, Head of Corporate Affairs, Citigroup China,
added: "The public affairs profession in Asia faces rising
complexity, heightened responsibility and a challenging external
and internal landscape. The 2011 State of the Industry report
highlights these factors, among others, and the drivers behind
them, making insightful reading for anyone interested in the
evolving nature of public affairs in the region."
The PublicAffairsAsia State of the Industry (In-House) report
forms part of a two-volume annual series published by
PublicAffairsAsia, the magazine and network for senior corporate
public affairs professionals. A second volume of the report, which
covers in the consultancy sector, will be released in June.
To download the full report click here: http://www.publicaffairsasiaevents.com/SOI_2011_INHouse.pdf
To download the press release click here: http://www.publicaffairsasiaevents.com/pressrelease_SOI.pdf
For more information on the State of the Industry Report
contact:
Craig Hoy, PublicAffairsAsia, at [email protected]
Irwin Hankins, The Research Pacific Group, at [email protected]
About PublicAffairsAsia
PublicAffairsAsia is the network for senior government
relations, public affairs and corporate communications
professionals operating across the Asia Pacific region. It offers
news, features, analysis and intelligence on practice and policy
through PublicAffairsAsia magazine, online channels, intelligence
and events. It also operates the flagship Gold Standard Awards for
government relations, public policy and corporate communications.
For more information, to REGISTER, or SUBSCRIBE: visit www.publicaffairsasia.com
About The Research Pacific Group
The Research Pacific Group is a full service marketing research
provider, which has conducted research throughout Asia for over
seventeen years. Our core competency is providing "Best In Class"
customised Marketing Research solutions throughout Asia. We are
independent and owner managed.
Through our Singapore based headquarters and Hong Kong Regional
client service office, we offer clients real regional project
management consistency and control, as well as a "one-stop" point
of communications for clients conducting research anywhere in Asia.
Our real network of subsidiaries and partners throughout Asia,
provide us with local field coverage and insights unique to each
market.
For more information visit: http://www.respac.com
Media Contact:
Mark O'Brien
Tel: +66-801-458697
SOURCE PublicAffairsAsia