Customer Reviews

Harvard Business Review on Doing Business in China (Harvard Business Review Paperback Series)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Like other HBR articles, the articles in this collection on Doing Business in China are well written and presented, with each examining a particular issue in a fairly coherent way.

However, as they are written by different authors, there is an inevitable lack of cohesion among the articles. For example, in article "Entering China: An Unconventional Approach" (pages 105-121), author Vanhonacker argues that since "Chinese companies...typically have a more immediate interest in profits than foreign investors do," "joint ventures do not offer foreign companies what they need to succeed in China." Yet, in article "Trouble in Paradise" (pages 141-161), authors Xin and Pucik present a case study, where the dilemma faced by the American general manager is such that while his US-based boss wants him to improve the joint venture's profitability from a 4% ROI to a 20% ROI, the Chinese deputy general manager wants to grow the joint venture by acquiring another local Chinese enterprise!

In my experience, the scenarios presented in the two articles are pretty academic because the reality is much more messy than that and hardly rests on such a simple black/white trade-off. Indeed, we now know that the China challenge is multifaceted. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an integrated framework that distills what it takes to succeed in China (how to think as well as what to do) by running a central, balanced theme across all these perspectives.

It is fair to say that although eight useful articles are put together in one volume, this book lacks the above mentioned central theme.

To find such a central theme, you will have to read Dr Wei Wang's The China Executive: Marrying Western and Chinese Strengths to Generate Profitability from Your Investment in China. In it, you will find a road map to business success in 21st-century China.

Dont be fooled by the 2004 publising date most of the articles inluded here are from the late 90's early 00's. Otherwise a good read and well worth the $14 price tag.

The articles are, in sum, quite dated and general. Nothing leading edge here as the content is published through the HBS grist mill that greatly enhances the publishing record of their faculty but adds little of current value.

Nevertheless, for the beginner in China, there is some knowledge here, but, again, keep in mind that the business environment in China moves fast and the information here was several years outdated when published.

The collection seems dated; while several of the articles are helpful, the remaining bulk are consequently more misleading.

This Harvard Business Review is a collection of articles on doing Business in China. The articles are all very well written and facts are supported by figures, tables and references. It is important to note, however, that this review deals with Business and is intended for Business orientated people - focusing on the Business Language and only when understood by the reader, it offers deep insight to the Chinese Business World and its pitfalls.

As China is a rapidly evolving Nation these articles may be a bit outdated as they refer to events and facts of the 1990s. These facts are not all relevant anymore. Additionally, the articles are not related to each other by one central theme, but they are eight separate articles. This is disturbing at some points, as the book as a whole does not "flow", but the articles no less give fundamental information to managers and professionals who have the need to stay competitive in this fast-moving world. Recommended to anyone who wants to gain an overall perspective of doing Business in China.

I generally love Harvard Business Review publications. I have taught a weekly class in Taiwan, where I live these days, using HBR articles. I began researching China business practices in 1986, helping a professor during my MBA program. I was fluent in Chinese. Back then the articles in this HBR compilation would have been a godsend. By much research we eventually found most of the principles and tips that were (somewhat) later written in the articles contained in this compilation.

But say, hasn't China business changed radically since those days? Can the HBR editors somehow not be aware of that? And yet they offer 10-15 year-old obsolete articles in this compilation. It shames their otherwise well-earned superlative reputation. This publication was one of my most wasteful book purchases ever, sad to say. At least I had enough background to know what 50-60% of the outdated advice in its articles would lead one to act foolishly. Fortunately, there are numerous current books by wise and experienced China business practitioners available.

"Above all do no harm" is a dictum this compilation fails to meet. On the other hand if you are a China history buff I could recommend it to you. The compilation wonderfully illustrates a former time.

A collection of published papers by a range of authors, from management consultants to business school professors. 5 of the 8 papers were published in 2003, using data mostly from early to mid 90s. Unfortunately, much of the analysis no longer make sense. As an example, one of the papers referring China chasing a growth rate of 9 %. In 2008, this growth rate feels like a mild recession. Much of the marketing strategies doesn't translate well to today's China either. In one paper the author advocate using the "official channels" of States sponsored paper, TV and radio programs. Arguing the fancier approach (posters, glitzy commercials, prime space placement, ...etc) and brands marketing has no effect on Chinese consumers. Not sure how much of this was true even when the book was first published in 2004.

I have been in china for business trips over 7 times and I always use this reading during the air trip(many hours from Puerto Rico to China (22 hours).
And always find something new to apply to my visits for negotiations from this book.

Humberto Torres
Puerto Rico

As others have mentioned, parts of the books are indeed dated (well beyond the 2004 publication date) but others offer a very nice introduction to doing business in China and understanding how China's development and history leads many of your counterparts to have a vastly different perspective on doing business (and life in general). While I'd advise ignoring entirely many of the chapters (selling consumer goods in China is pretty different today than ten years ago) the more fundamental and timeless stuff could be a huge help to anyone new to doing business in China and for those handful of essays the book is very worthwhile.

This is a great complitation of HBR articles on China. A must do reading for anyone seriously interested in doing business in China