Challenges for Chinese State- Owned Enterprises Operating in South Africa JIAO LI
Date
2018
Authors
LI, Jiao
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
ABSTRACT
China has been the fastest growing nation for the past 10 years. It’s ‘going out
strategy has led to a wave of Chinese companies investing and entering into
foreign markets. Chinese State-owned enterprises (SOE) are at the forefront of
such activities. Africa is one of the strategic partners for China and South Africa,
being the star of Africa, attracts more attention than others. In the past 10 years,
the researcher has seen a dramatic increase in the number of Chinese SOEs that
have invested in South Africa or entered the South Africa market. Yet, Chinese
SOEs continue to face challenges in operating abroad.
This research report aimed to analyse companies in South Africa that are majority
owned and run by Chinese SOEs and to identify the principle challenges and
issues they face during day-to-day operations.
Unstructured interviews were conducted with 11 top individuals in management
positions in Chinese SOEs currently operating in South Africa. A themed content
analysis was conducted on the feedback and information collected. The study of
the themes and similarities of issues led to an in-depth understanding of
challenges confronted by Chinese SOEs in operating in South Africa and a list of
primary challenges was created.
The research findings indicated that all the aspects indicated in the literature
review are undeniably the challenges for Chinese SOEs operating in South
Africa. Furthermore, the researcher has uncovered three more challenges.
The key message from this research study is that Chinese SOEs operating in
South Africa need to focus on challenges that might affect their company
performance to make the investment more successful.
Description
MBA Thesis
Keywords
Government business enterprises, China -- Management. Investments, Chinese -- South Africa. China -- Relations -- South Africa.