Category: research

How Managers of Foreign Firms in China Perceive China’s Business Environment and Support: A Case Study of Pfizer China

L.Zhen

 

Abstract

Doing business globally represents an attractive business opportunity for many firms for many reasons, but this can be difficult due to various cultural, language, and policy differences. This study examines how managers of foreign firms in China perceive China’s business environment, how they perceive the Chinese government’s business support for foreign firms, what factors they emphasize in terms of China’s business environment, whether there is any difference in factors emphasized in terms of China’s business environment between managers with favorable and unfavorable attitudes toward this environment, what factors they emphasize in terms of the Chinese government’s business support for foreign firms, and whether there is any difference in factors emphasized in terms of the Chinese government’s business support between managers with favorable and unfavorable attitudes toward this support. According to the results, the respondents generally had neutral attitudes toward China’s business environment and favorable attitudes toward the Chinese government’s business support. In terms of the business environment, the respondents emphasized a business environment conducive to business and a transparent business environment. In terms of business support, the respondents emphasized efforts to provide foreign firms with business support as the most important factor. The results have some important practical implications for policymakers and practitioners.

 

Keywords: Managers, Foreign Firms, Business Environment and Support, Pfizer, China

The Durability Perception of Glass and Plastic Containers

by

Y. Bao

Keywords: Perception, Durability, Glass, Plastic, Container, China

Abstract

Consumers typically use plastic and glass containers for various purposes. Consumers consider various factors, including their durability and cost, among others. Such decision factors should offer important insights for container manufacturers. In this regard, this study examines consumers’ attitudes toward plastic and glass contains and investigates the factors they consider to be the most important ones in their selection of containers. According to the results, the respondents generally had less favorable durability attitudes toward plastic containers. Male respondents were slightly more likely to prefer glass containers than female respondents, but there was no significant difference in their durability perceptions. The respondents emphasized durability as the most important factor in terms of durability perceptions, followed by cost. Weight and appearance were least likely to be identified. Both male and female respondents were most likely to report durability, followed by cost. These results have some important practical implications.

International Buyers’ Perception of Fashion Brands Designed and Manufactured by Chinese Firms

J. Wu

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed the emergence of China as a “global factory.” This emergence has been driven mainly by the country’s production of various products. In particular, wholesalers’ and retailers’ perception of Chinese products play an important role in the marketing of these products because their purchase decisions determine which products, including fashion items, are presented to consumers. This study examines retailers’ attitudes toward fashion brands designed and manufactured by Chinese companies. According to the results, the respondents generally had favorable attitudes toward Chinese fashion brands. The respondents with some prior experience importing fashion brands from China were significantly more likely to be interested in importing Chinese fashion brands than those without such experience. The respondents emphasized price as the most important factor in terms of importing Chinese fashion brands, followed by brand awareness. The results have important practical implications.

Keywords: International Buyers, Fashion, Brand, Design, Manufacturing, Chinese Firms

无声的幸福

除夕近了，街上也变得热闹起来，我走在冬日的市中心，看着身旁提着大包年货的人群，心中却觉不到一丝暖意。

大连的冬天，还是一样的的干燥寒冷，虽然是晴天，但阳光的一丝余温早已消散在凛冽的北风中，寒风打在人脸上，只觉如刀割般的痛，也正因如此吧，街上的人都一副行色匆匆的神色，低着头躲避着迎面的寒风。

这时，三个与众不同的面孔闯入了我的眼帘，眼前的这几张脸上少了其他人的几分匆忙，多的是幸福的笑容。走在中间的是一个年龄与我相仿的女孩，那张白皙的脸上洋溢着带着青春气息的喜悦微笑，如同出水芙蓉般让人只敢隔着一段距离细细欣赏，生怕玷污了这份纯洁无瑕的美丽。

这自然吸引了我的注意，我放慢了脚步，看着迎面走来的这被幸福包围着的三个人，不觉被眼前的一幕吃了一惊，走在女孩左边的中年妇女向女孩右边的男人打了几下手势，嘴动了动，却没有发出声，似乎是想接过男人手里沉甸甸的购物袋，那男人用同样的方式回答了中年妇女，把手中的购物袋由左手换到了右手上，还故作轻松的抖了几下，女孩的头从左转向右，然后用两只胳膊一左一右把那妇女和男人揽到自己身边，脸上又一次露出灿烂的笑，两边的妇女和男人相互对视了一下，也露出了会心的笑容。

我顿时明白过来这是生活在无声世界的一家人，女人想帮丈夫提购物袋，但被拒绝了，男人把购物袋换到了离妻子较远的右手上，抖两下是为了给妻子看袋子并不沉，想不让妻子担心，女孩自然从这最简单的爱的流露中感受到了幸福，把爸爸妈妈挽到一起，那对夫妇在看到孩子，自然倍感幸福甜蜜，相视而笑。

这是多么平常的生活，而这又是多么难得的幸福！一家人虽不能用声音进行交流，但他们能够用他们自己的方式沟通，他们一家人的心在一起，互相理解，为对方着想，其实，这就铸就了世间最伟大的感情——-爱，和世间最简单却又最难获取的东西——–幸福。

我的脚步不觉停了下来，看着这幸福的一家从我身旁经过，我的目光久久不能从那三个背影上移开，只是在寒冷的冬日里感受到了发自心底的温暖，那是棉衣、空调所不能带来的，这是幸福的传递，是无声幸福的传递！

站在寒风中，我似乎感受到了来自阳光的温暖，目送着三个背影远去，我知道，对于那三个背影的任何一个来说，身边的两个人加在一起，就是他们的整个世界。

 

张颖慧

Chinese Students’ Perception of Foreign Direct investment into China

by

C.Yu
Abstract

Foreign direct investment (FDI) has played a key role in the emergence of globalization and in the rapid rise of China as a major economy. Given the important role played by FDI in the Chinese economy, this study examines Chinese high school students’ attitudes toward FDI in China. The study examines how Chinese high school students perceive the value of foreign investment in China, what factors do Chinese high school students emphasize in terms of attracting foreign investment in China, what risks do Chinese high school students emphasize in terms of foreign investment in China, and whether there are any gender differences in these views. The respondents generally had favorable attitudes toward foreign direct investment and emphasized attractive business environments as the most important factor in terms of attracting foreign investment into China. In addition, the respondents generally emphasized better pay and work environments of foreign firms and more favorable policies for foreign companies as the most important risk factors. The results suggest that, because FDI is a necessary element of economic growth, the Chinese government should carefully consider the FDI environment to attract FDI while minimizing potential risks to its industries and society.

 

Keywords: Foreign Direct Investment, Perception, High School Students, China