Most Thais express that automobile manufacturers have more power than suppliers, particularly smaller sized and Thai-owned suppliers. As a high power-distance culture country, Thais accept this difference.
Thais have to follow their automobile customer’ requests to win orders, the smaller the supplier, the greater the acceptance of the power distance. This is because if they work with a leading automobile manufacturer, it raises their company image.
When working together, Thais feel comfortable following Japanese expatriates’ comments.
Not only because they
accept the power distance but also the technical knowledge gap. Thai engineers recognize that in certain fields, Japanese expatriates have greater technical knowledge and relevant experience so they follow suggestions.
This confirms what indicated in literature review [45].
Although in certain cases where suppliers have greater tacit knowledge and expertise than the manufacturer, Thai engineers expressed that they still feel the Japanese expatriates hold more power.