According to conventional wisdom, Malaysian company Ta Ann Holdings

Berhad should never have succeeded in its expansion to Tasmania, where

it established two veneer mills.

Existing models of "internationalising success"– when companies

establish profitable overseas ventures – say internal resources and

capabilities are vital to offshore success. When Ta Ann expanded to

Tasmania, it had neither: it was the company's first offshore move so it

lacked international experience, and it didn't have massive resources.

So why did a company like Ta Ann make it in Tasmania against the odds,

and against conventional business thinking?