1st Edition

Innovation and Internationalisation Successful SMEs’ Ventures into China

    224 Pages 12 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    234 Pages 12 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This book provides a comprehensive examination of the many factors that influence the internationalisation of SMEs into China. SMEs represent more than 50 percent of the economic activity and employment in China. This book explores the experiences of SMEs that have internationalised to China from Australia. Australian SMEs are at the forefront of foreign SMEs in China with over 5000 Australian SMEs currently operating in China and a long history of association. The book is unique in that it presents a multidisciplinary perspective of the subject, considering seven different discipline perspectives (internationalisation, innovation, entrepreneurship, networks, resources, human resource management and barriers and liabilities). This makes the book one of the most comprehensive treatments of internationalisation to China so far. Each chapter in the book deals with a different perspective and includes own separate analysis. The chapters commence with a consideration of the current knowledge on internationalising to China for each perspective, analyse the interviews of representatives of 35 SMEs operating in China and then draw conclusions which are relevant to students, scholars and professionals. Each chapter includes extensive examples from the interviews. This integrated book is particularly useful for small business owners, international business management consultants, instructors and students.

    1. Introduction 2. Internationalisation of innovative SMEs to China 3. Making innovation work in China for foreign SMEs 4. Building networks in a foreign environment 5. Being a foreign entrepreneur in China 6. How resources and capabilities can assist foreign SMEs in China 7. The barriers, liabilities and costs of operating in China 8. How HRM contributes to innovation in China 9. Conclusion

    Biography

    Stuart Orr is Professor of Strategic Management at Deakin University, Australia and has published over 100 articles and books on strategic and international management.

    Jane Menzies is Senior Lecturer of International Business at Deakin University, Australia. Her research interests are the internationalisation of Australian businesses to China, and innovative SME internationalisation.

    Connie Zheng is Senior Lecturer of Human Resource Management (HRM) at Deakin University, Australia. She has published her work in various international journals such as Asia-Pacific Journal of Management, Personnel Review and International Journal of Manpower.

    Sajeewa ‘Pat’ Maddumage is a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) student in the Department of Management at Deakin University, Australia, and is studying SME internationalisation to China.