Chinese Multinationals in Historical Perspective: Organizational Capability, Entrepreneurship and Environment

The internationalization of Chinese enterprises is notable since the late 1990s. However, Chinese multinationals are not new in Chinese history. This book examines Chinese multinationals in historical perspective, particularly between 1912 and 1949. A preliminary database created by the author identifies forty-nine Chinese multinationals established before 1949. The combination of organizational capability, entrepreneurship, and environment accounted for the rise and performances of Chinese multinationals between 1912 and 1949. Chinese multinationals refined their organizational capabilities between 1912 and 1937. They carried out Schumpeterian ?new combinations? in the international market through introducing new products abroad, investigating unexplored overseas markets, seeking new sources of raw materials, and even initiating international cartels. Chinese multinationals were most active in the late 1930s and the late 1940s. Their overseas branches were found chiefly in Southeast Asia and to a lesser extent in the United States, Japan, and Europe. The key constraining factors were bad timing and environmental adversities.

Shijin Wu is a senior marketing analyst in Boston. He double majored in history and economics in Peking University, China. He also earned Masters degrees in business history and applied statistics from The Ohio State University.