Title: Success strategies of SMEs in the creative sector in Malaysia: a case study of Les Copaque

Authors: Hezlin Harris; Kamarulzaman Ab Aziz; Mariati Norhashim

Addresses: Faculty of Management, Multimedia University, 63100 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Management, Multimedia University, 63100 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Management, Multimedia University, 63100 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract: The creative sector has been acknowledged by the Malaysian government as a major driver in the transformation of economies. Although the Malaysian government recognises the importance of nurturing the creative sector and has provided a range of facilities, the onus is on the firms to take advantage of these facilities. Hence, in this paper, a case study of a pioneer animation production company Les Copaque is presented drawing insights on their approach for sustaining performance in a challenging sector by leveraging on government facilities and through effective Intellectual Property (IP) management strategies. This paper looks at how the process Malaysian pioneering animation production company, Les Copaque overcame the technological and market challenges in the creative industries. Specifically, Les Copaque's strategies for managing its IP and resources by (a) leveraging on government provided facilities specifically for financial assistance and distribution of its products and (b) selective IP protection strategies.

Keywords: intellectual property management; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; Malaysia; Les Copaque Production; success strategies; creative industries; animation production; film production; economy transformation; government facilities; sustained performance; leverage; television series; animated films; technological challenges; market challenges; resource management; financial assistance; protection strategies; product distribution; management practice.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMP.2012.048077

International Journal of Management Practice, 2012 Vol.5 No.3, pp.287 - 299

Published online: 19 Jul 2012 *

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