´Chineseness´ as a Competitive Disadvantage: Singapore Chinese Business Strategies after Failing in China

Heidi Dahles

Research output: Working paperResearch

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Abstract

The focus of this paper is on the strategies applied by Singapore-Chinese businesses upon failing in their China business ventures. It has been argued that both the increase of Singapore ventures into China and the failures are due to either cultural issues (misinterpretation of ‘shared ethnicity’) or economic factors (differences in economic practices). Singapore businessmen apply inclusive strategies combining Western management styles with Chinese ways of doing business in order to reduce the risk involved with investments across national borders into China. Though largely successful, this strategy entails its own risks. Based on 10 case studies, this paper discusses the ways in which Singapore Chinese entrepreneurs respond upon failing in China and the strategies they develop to re-find their comfort zone for transnational business ventures.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationFrederiksberg
PublisherAsia Research Centre. Copenhagen Business School
Number of pages30
Publication statusPublished - May 2006
Externally publishedYes
SeriesCopenhagen Discussion Papers
Number11
ISSN0904-8626

Bibliographical note

Paper presented at the inaugural international workshop ‘ChinaWorld’ on 10-11 March 2006 at Asia Research Centre, Copenhagen Business School.

Keywords

  • Chineseness
  • Ethinicity
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Singapore
  • China
  • Business strategies

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