ENGAGING CHINA: THE REALITIES FOR AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSES

China at the beginning of the 21st century represents a perfect storm of the speed of economic growth and development, internationalisation of Chinese businesses and dramatic societal transformation. This set of circumstances presents unique challenges and opportunities for those who engage with China.

China does not change the fundamental rules of the game of doing business, but it requires more deft and imaginative responses by those international enterprises seeking to expand and deepen their China engagement.

The Foundation commissioned international relations specialist, Dr Keith Suter to coordinate this study, with a background analysis by senior journalist and former Beijing correspondent, Catherine Armitage. At the heart of this study lies 25 business case studies done by Australian Business International Trade Services, covering different industries, firm sizes, ownership structures and business models.

The findings from these case studies are a great source of knowledge on the realities of doing business on the ground in China. We don’t claim that these case studies are role models for success in China, but they highlight critical issues to which businesses must pay attention if they want to succeed in building their business and presence in China.

For more information about this study Engaging China: the realities for Australian businesses, please contact Clint McGilvray clint.mcgilvray@abfoundation.com.au or on 0413 285 186

INVITATION TO COLLABORATE ON RESEARCH

Beyond mainstream thinking and easy answers, the Australian Business Foundation is  looking at the issues that set a new agenda for the future competitiveness of Australian businesses. We are inviting partners with exceptional vision and research capability to collaborate with us on research projects that provide fresh intelligence to shape debate and incite practical action.

RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS

The Australian Business Foundation is collaborating with other prestigious sponsoring partners to offer a program of Research Fellowships, to be awarded to outstanding researchers and practitioners who are pioneering well-substantiated ideas to advance Australia’s economic and social development.

The Australian Business Foundation Research Fellowships are to support scholarship and investigation into the key emerging issues likely to impact most on Australia’s business capabilities and global competitiveness. The Fellowships also aim to encourage greater exposure, dissemination and application of these ideas, particularly in capturing new opportunities, business models and problem-solving for Australia’s long-term advantage.

The Fellowships are the latest initiative by the Foundation to fulfil its mission as an advocate of well-researched, leading edge ideas that span traditional boundaries and disciplines, ahead of mainstream thinking.  By supporting an Australian Business Foundation Research Fellow, sponsoring partner organisations are distinguished as forward-thinking on issues underpinning the future prosperity and wellbeing of the Australian community.

Those who are awarded an Australian Business Foundation Research Fellowship benefit from financial support and a public outlet for their areas of expertise.

MEMBERS-ONLY WEBSITE

To inform the debate and help probe beyond the obvious on a topic, our website now provides more ways in which our members can connect to leading-edge intelligence and exchange ideas with forward thinking people through the ‘Spotlight’ section on the home page www.abfoundation.com.au

Spotlights capture and share more of these farsighted ideas and are always on tap for Foundation members. Spotlights are articles of about 1000 words, bringing forward crucial issues, novel insights, maverick opinions or cross‐disciplinary perspectives likely to excite interest and debate among our community of interest. A few will be available to the public to read, but most will be exclusive to the members of the Foundation. 

Only Foundation members will be able to comment on Spotlights and engage in the debate about the ideas advanced in the Spotlight.

CLUSTERING IN SYDNEY’s GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY CORRIDOR?

The Foundation is soon to release a study exploring whether businesses in two prominent high technology sectors of the ‘Global Technology Corridor’ of northern Sydney are operating as industry clusters or are only an ‘agglomeration’ of businesses in the same industry in a single geographical location.  

The Global Technology Corridor is a growth region of national significance that comprises the northern side of Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River starting at North Sydney, proceeding north to Chatswood, west through Macquarie Park to Pennant Hills and south through Ermington to the Parramatta River. This region has seen the emergence of two knowledge-driven industry sectors – information and communications technologies (ICT) and bio-medical technologies. 

The Macquarie Graduate School of Management, NSW Department of State and Regional Development and the Australian Business Foundation have collaborated to undertake this research on nascent industry cluster development, with the University of Technology Sydney and Bugseye. The research explores the locational drivers, activities and linkages of businesses and research and educational institutions in the information and communications technologies (ICT) and bio-medical sectors in this region.

Our Sponsors

The Australian Business Foundation is principally sponsored by its founder, the NSW Business Chamber, and supported by corporate members Deloitte Australia; IBM Australia; Standards Australia; the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research; the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations; the Department of State and Regional Development (NSW); and the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (Victoria).

The Last Word

If you or your organisation is working on a product, service, research project or event that furthers new thinking on Australia's business competitiveness, innovative capacity and opportunities from a knowledge-based economy, please contact us and we will spread the word! If you have comments, questions, suggestions, please contact us:

Australian Business Foundation
Locked Bag 938
North Sydney NSW 2060
Ph: (02) 9458 7016
Fax: (02) 9929 0193
clint.mcgilvray@abfoundation.com.au
www.abfoundation.com.au

Opt me out
In The Loop is an e-newsletter for the information and benefit of members and stakeholders of the Australian Business Foundation. If you no longer wish to receive In The Loop, go to the opt out from In The Loop form, or send us an email at the above address.

Disclaimer
This publication is intended to provide general information for the benefit of members of Australian Business Foundation Limited (ABN 56 067 381 999) and should not be relied upon in place of specific legal or professional advice. While all care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this publication is true and accurate no responsibility or liability is accepted by Australian Business Foundation Limited or its staff for any claim which may arise from any person acting in reliance on the information set out in this publication.