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International Management in a Free-Standing Company: The Penang Sugar Estates, Ltd., and the Malayan Sugar Industry, 1851–1914

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  • Lees, Lynn Hollen

Abstract

Although free-standing companies helped facilitate international capital flows in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, their ability to operate effectively over the long run in a global economy has been questioned. This essay looks at one free-standing company, the Penang Sugar Estates, Ltd., in British Malaya to assess its managerial performance and strategies for transferring information. Through diversification, subcontracting, reorganization, and increased tolerance for local knowledge, the firm surmounted the information asymmetries that gave trouble during its early decades and increased profits. The Malayan sugar industry benefited from its imperial location, which brought significant advantages.

Suggested Citation

  • Lees, Lynn Hollen, 2007. "International Management in a Free-Standing Company: The Penang Sugar Estates, Ltd., and the Malayan Sugar Industry, 1851–1914," Business History Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 81(1), pages 27-57, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:buhirw:v:81:y:2007:i:01:p:27-57_03
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    Cited by:

    1. Klas Rönnbäck & Oskar Broberg & Stefania Galli, 2022. "A colonial cash cow: the return on investments in British Malaya, 1889–1969," Cliometrica, Journal of Historical Economics and Econometric History, Association Française de Cliométrie (AFC), vol. 16(1), pages 149-173, January.
    2. Shakila Yacob, 2009. "Hidden Disciplines In Malaysia: The Role Of Business History In A Multi‐Disciplinary Framework," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 49(3), pages 302-324, November.

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