MBA & MM Theses

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/9084

For information on accessing MBA & MM Theses content please contact Khomotso Chipu via email : Khomotso Chipu or Tel(W) : 011 717 3638
Alternatively contact Patience Mpitsa via email : Patience Mpitsa or Tel (W) : 011 717 3635

Browse

Filters

20112

Settings

Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.China

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The impact of China’s future demand for raw materials on the global manganese industry
    (2011-06-08) Pillay, Abiseshen
    The research problem that this research addresses is to investigate the impact of China’s future demand for raw materials on the global manganese industry. The general resources boom that the world is experiencing is largely driven by the role played by China in market dynamics. In recent years (2003 – 2006) the growth in the Chinese economy has been approximately 10% (IMF, World Economic Outlook, 2006). The manganese industry has concomitantly seen an injection in commodity prices through the increased demand for manganese to feed the production of steel in China. Looking towards the future, the question remains for how long will the Chinese demand for raw materials last? Are there factors that could slow down the demand or increase it? Is China insulated from economic downturns in the US and West? The research paradigm adopted in the research was qualitative and quantitative in nature and takes the form of fuzzy cognitive mapping simulation study. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted using a draft fuzzy cognitive map. Using the respondents input the draft fuzzy cognitive map was revised to produce an enhanced validated fuzzy cognitive map on which simulations could be run. The research results show that the economic outlook for China looks positive with GDP growth of between 8-10% continuing for the foreseeable future. Risks to this growth profile have been identified and include the un even distribution of growth across the geography of china, periodic macro economic instability and the environmental impact of China’s rapid industrialisation. Policies have however been put in place to address these issues. A key external risk was China’s exposure to the US which was brought to the forefront with the present financial crisis. The Chinese economy though is expected to recover fairly quickly from this as its economic growth is largely domestic demand driven. The research results did not deviate far from literature on China and its raw material requirements. The respondents did however impart key insights on the more recent thinking regarding the Chinese economy and how it has overcome its previous impediments. The implications for this research are key to allowing ii manganese producers to position themselves to take advantage of the demand for manganese stemming from China and also to be aware of the potential risk issues that may manifest.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Successful strategies for multinational companies in China
    (2011-03-23) Chen, Ting
    As one of the largest emerging markets, China's enormous population and economic boom have recently attracted many multinational companies (MNCs). In the past two decades, the Chinese government has reformed the economy, installed market forces, and opened various industries to foreign investors. With the admission of China to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001, it signalled the growing maturity of the Chinese market and its expectation for further increase of investment opportunities. Successful MNCs have regarded investing in China as a long-term strategic approach in which they have tried to reach a balance between global orientation and local conditions so that they could maximise market coverage, minimise risk exposure, and optimise their overall performance for sustainable prosperity. The research was qualitative in nature, conducted in the interpretive paradigm, using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with three successful MNCs presently operating in China. In this paper, the author discusses the conceptual background for China's business environment, problems faced by the executives of MNCs and classical strategy theories. as well as the country specific strategies related to China. The results of this study are presented through a discussion of the research findings from the interviews in relation to the propositions, and provide useful guidelines for MNCs investing or intending to invest in the Chinese economy. The research identified the following successful strategies for MNCs investing in China: the appropriate market entry mode, adaptation to local environment, developing guanxi to build trust and credibility, cross-cultural management in HR, creating good Chinese brand names, efficient brand communication and emotional marketing, chief executive's long-term commitment to the Chinese market, and establishing a "China Centre" as well as diversified corporate approaches to the indigenous market.