ICAS Publications Series Monographs

Rhythm of Strategy: A Corporate Biography of the Salim Group of Indonesia

Marleen Dieleman

This book provides a well-documented analysis of the strategy of the Salim Group, one of the largest family conglomerates in Southeast Asia. Using a multitude of sources, including interviews with the Salim family and Salim Group managers, the author provides a comprehensive corporate biography of this fascinating family firm.

The Rhythm of Strategy: A Corporate Biography of the Salim Group of Indonesia criticizes existing theories on ethnic Chinese firms and instead provides a more nuanced view of the evolution of a small migrant trading business into the largest family business group in Southeast Asia. It argues that the strategy of this group oscillated irregularly between a business model adapted to markets. Due to its size and closeness to the Suharto regime, the Salim Group has played an important role in shaping Indonesia's economy.

Marleen Dieleman is a visiting fellow at NUS Business School in Singapore. She holds a Ph.D. degree from Leiden University and a Master Degree from the Rotterdam School of Management, both in the Netherlands. Marleen has worked as a consultant, trainer, manager and academic. Her research interests include corporate strategy, family business groups, and in private sector development in emerging markets, with a passion for Asia.