Chinese Private Manufacturing Firms
Since the beginning of Chinas economic reform in 1978, private manufacturing firms have played an indispensable role in, and have made a remarkable contribution to, the countrys economic development. This book, based on extensive original research, explores the current development challenges for Chinese private manufacturing firms as Chinas integration with the global economy deepens. At the heart of the book are rich, nuanced empirical case studies of private manufacturing firms in the footwear and electrical equipment industries based in the city of Wenzhou, which was where private enterprise in China was pioneered in the 1980s. Particular subjects considered include the competition situation, the interaction of foreign and indigenous firms in both domestic and international markets, and the facilitating role of industrial development areas.
Xiao Chen achieved her PhD degree in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge. She currently works as a researcher in the China Center for International Knowledge on Development. Her research interests include globalisation and firm competition, industrial policy and Chinese economy.
Routledge Studies on the Chinese Economy
Series Editor:
Peter Nolan
Director, Centre of Development Studies
Chong Hua
Professor in Chinese Development; and Director of the Chinese Executive Leadership Programme (CELP), University of Cambridge
Founding Series Editors:
Peter Nolan
University of Cambridge
Dong Fureng
Beijing University
The aim of this series is to publish original, high-quality, research-level work by both new and established scholars in the West and the East, on all aspects of the Chinese economy, including studies of business and economic history.
59 US-China Relations in the Twenty-First Century
A Question of Trust
Michael Tai
60 Understanding China
The Silk Road and the Communist Manifesto
Peter Nolan
61 Being Middle Class in China
Identity, Attitudes and Behaviour
Ying Miao
62 Governing the Commons in China
Yan Zhang
63 The Economic Cycle and the Growth of the Chinese Economy
Li Jianwei
64 Chinas Rural Areas
Building a Moderately Prosperous Society
China Development Research Foundation
65 The Political Economy of Banking Governance in China
Xuming Yang
66 Reforming Chinas Healthcare System
China Development Research Foundation
67 Chinese Private Manufacturing Firms
The Challenges of Global Competition
Xiao Chen
First published 2018
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
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Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
2018 Xiao Chen
The right of Xiao Chen to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Chen, Xiao, 1989 author.
Title: Chinese private manufacturing firms : the challenges of global
competition / Xiao Chen.
Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2018. | Series:
Routledge studies on the Chinese economy ; 67
Identifiers: LCCN 2017056410 | ISBN 9780815353911 (hardback) |
ISBN 9781351134712 (ebook) | ISBN 9781351134682 (mobipocket)
Subjects: LCSH: Manufacturing industriesChina. | Private companies
China. | ChinaCommerce.
Classification: LCC HD9736.C62 C445 2018 | DDC 338.4/7670951dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017056410
ISBN: 978-0-8153-5391-1 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-351-13471-2 (ebk)
Typeset in Times New Roman
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
The book would not be possible without the support and help from many people and institutions. I am extremely grateful to my PhD supervisor, Professor Peter Nolan, for his intellectual guidance and comprehensive support during the research. His extensive knowledge, professional advice and hardworking spirit always enlighten my thoughts, sharpen my insights and encourage my work. I also thank Dr Ha-Joon Chang, Dr Shailaja Fennell, Dr Jin Zhang, Dr Maha Abdelrahman and Michael Kuczynski at the University of Cambridge for their advice on my research.
I highly appreciate my funding bodies for their generous financial support to my study at Cambridge and my fieldwork within and outside China. They include China Scholarship Council, Cambridge Overseas Trust, Kings College, the Centre of Development Studies and the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Cambridge.
I wish to give my gratitude to all the people and organisations involved in my fieldwork. Special thanks to Qi Yinong, Wang Zhibin, Zheng Guohong and Zhu Xinmin, for their knowledge and kindness to support my fieldwork. Many thanks to Juyi Group, Zhejiang Aokang Shoes Limited Company, Menglani Shoes Limited Company and Chint Group for their willingness to be the study cases of my research.
I am greatly indebted to Peter Sowden, Becky McPhee and Leela Vathenen at Taylor & Francis and Lisa Salonen at Apex CoVantage for their help and patience for the delivery of the book.
I want to express my appreciation to my friends for their company and help during my study and research at the University of Cambridge. Particularly, I am grateful to my good friends in the Centre of Development Studies, Sidney Sussex College, Kings College and Peking University Alumni Association.
I would like to give my deepest acknowledgements to my parents for their selfless love and unstinting support to me.