Case Study

Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (C): A recipe for shared values

12 pages
July 2014
Reference: IMD-3-1623

The case provides an overview of Lee Kum Kee’s development as a family business in the past ten years, i.e. since the 2002 inauguration of a Family Council and other structures that constitute its “enterprising family” model. These include the Family Office, which has a non-investing role; the Learning and Development Unit which creates soft linkages across family institutions and generations; and the charitable foundations linked to the family as well as the business. The case examines these structures’ contribution to the company’s continued growth and success. It also maps out the fourth-generation owners’ long-term mission to promulgate and disseminate a robust set of core values. In interactions with the outside world, this dissemination has taken the form of public speaking, publishing and philanthropic activities, often synthesizing the tenets of Chinese tradition with modern-day life and business.

Learning Objective

In regions such as Asia, family-controlled companies have not only played an important business role but have also acted as agents of broader social, economic and nation-building change. This case belongs to a series of company cases that exemplify best practices in family, ownership, succession and business governance. It illustrates the unique perspectives that leading family-owned and family-controlled businesses in emerging markets in Asia bring to global learning on family business. It invites to learn about local family firms and understand their view on shaping positive and sustainable visions for the future, anchored in an increasingly global environment.

Keywords
Family Business, Family Office, Next Generation, Generational Transition, Family Continuity, Succession, Family Values, Governance, Philanthropy, Leadership, Ownership, Learning, Development, Entrepreneurial Culture, Strategy, Value-based Management
Settings
Asia
Lee Kum Kee, Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Food Seasoning, Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage
2013
Type
Field Research
Copyright
© 2014
Available Languages
English
Case clearing houses
IMD case studies are distributed through case clearing houses. In order to browse the collection and purchase copies please visit the links below.

The Case Centre

Cranfield University

Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]

Harvard Business School Publishing

60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]

Asia Pacific Case Center

NUCB Business School

1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

This case study is part of a series
  • Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (A): The family recipe
  • Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (B): Passing down the recipe
  • Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (C): A recipe for shared values
  • Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (D): Governance reforms start to show rewards as the fifth generation matures
  • Lee Kum Kee’s five generations of growth (Abridged)
This case study is part of a series
  • Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (A): The family recipe
  • Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (B): Passing down the recipe
  • Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (C): A recipe for shared values
  • Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (D): Governance reforms start to show rewards as the fifth generation matures
  • Lee Kum Kee’s five generations of growth (Abridged)
Discover our latest research
IMD's faculty and research teams publish articles, case studies, books and reports on a wide range of topics
Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (A): The family recipe
By John L. Ward and Colleen Lief
Case reference: IMD-3-1617 ©2005
Summary
This two-part case series starts with the accidental discovery of an important condiment in Chinese cuisine in 1888. The company, Lee Kum Kee Ltd.,...
Reference IMD-3-1617
Copyright ©2005
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Lee Kum Kee
Industry Consumer Goods, Food Seasoning;Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (B): Passing down the recipe
By John L. Ward and Colleen Lief
Case reference: IMD-3-1618 ©2005
Summary
The B-case of this two-part series examines the 5th generation’s interest in and engagement with the company and prospects for the future of family...
Reference IMD-3-1618
Copyright ©2005
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Lee Kum Kee
Industry Consumer Goods, Food Seasoning;Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (C): A recipe for shared values
By Joachim Schwass Anne-Catrin Glemser and Martin Králik
Case reference: IMD-3-1623 ©2014
Summary
The case provides an overview of Lee Kum Kee’s development as a family business in the past ten years, i.e. since the 2002 inauguration of a Family...
Reference IMD-3-1623
Copyright ©2014
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Lee Kum Kee
Industry Healthcare;Consumer Goods, Food Seasoning;Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (D): Governance reforms start to show rewards as the fifth generation matures
By Denise H. Kenyon-Rouvinez and Philip Whiteley
Case reference: IMD-7-2044 ©2019
Summary
Lee Kum Kee Co Ltd, producer of LKK oyster sauce and a range of food and health products, reached its 130th year in 2018. The fifth generation comp...
Reference IMD-7-2044
Copyright ©2019
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Lee Kum Kee
Industry Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage;Consumer Goods, Food Seasoning;Healthcare
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Lee Kum Kee’s five generations of growth (Abridged)
By Denise H. Kenyon-Rouvinez and Philip Whiteley
Case reference: IMD-7-2045 ©2019
Summary
This Overview case summarizes the story and development of the LKK food and health products company, from its origins as a small provider of oyster...
Reference IMD-7-2045
Copyright ©2019
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Lee Kum Kee
Industry Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage;Consumer Goods, Food Seasoning;Healthcare
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications