Case Study

Lee Kum Kee Co. Ltd (A): The family recipe

12 pages
December 2005
Reference: IMD-3-1617

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., was born as a result and over the intervening years grew into a large global enterprise. Case A describes the development of the firm and family from the 1st through 4th generations. Development of a values-based corporate culture, facilitation of entrepreneurship and the ramifications of family/business crises are highlighted.

Keywords
Succession, Generational Transition, Adaptation, Value-based Management
Settings
Asia
Lee Kum Kee, Consumer Goods, Food Seasoning, Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage
1888-2005
Type
Field Research
Copyright
© 2005
Available Languages
English
Related material
Video
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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 (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 (D): Governance reforms start to show rewards as the fifth generation matures
  • Lee Kum Kee’s five generations of growth (Abridged)
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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 (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