Catch-Up and Competitiveness in China: The Case of Large Firms in the Oil Industry (Routledge-Curzon Studies on the Chinese Economy, 8)

This book examines the role of corporate structure, including the role of corporate headquarters, in the success of large firms. It considers these issues in relation to large global corporations, thereby providing a 'benchmark', which is then used as a contrast in a discussion of corporate structure and the role of corporate headquarters within large Chinese firms, many of which have evolved from former government ministries. It includes a detailed case-study of firms in the crucially important oil and petro-chemical sector. Overall, the book shows what a hugely competitive battle China's emerging 'national champions' face with their global competitors, and puts forward policy implications both for large Chinese firms and for the Chinese government concerning how business systems should be reformed further still in order to construct globally competitive large industrial corporations. This Book Examines The Role Of Corporate Structure, Including The Role Of Corporate Headquarters, In The Success Of Large Firms. It Considers These Issues In Relation To Large Global Corporations, Thereby Providing A 'benchmark', Which Is Then Used As A Contrast In A Discussion Of Corporate Structure And The Role Of Corporate Headquarters Within Large Chinese Firms, Many Of Which Have Evolved From Former Government Ministries.--book Jacket. 1. Introduction -- 2. Function Of Corporate Headquarters -- 3. Corporate Structure And Headquarters' Function: Bp And Shell -- 4. Government Centralisation And Corporatisation: Cnpc And Sinopec From The 1950s To 1997 -- 5. Restructuring For Vertical Integration And Flotation: Cnpc And Sinopec In 1998 And 1999 -- 6. Corporate Structure And Headquarter's Function: Petrochina And Sinopec -- 7. From Production Unit To Autonomous Enterprise And Back To Production Unit: Daqing And Zhenhai -- 8. Challenges For Large Chinese Firms -- 9. Conclusion. Jin Zhang. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [214]-219) And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 List of figures......Page 10 List of tables......Page 12 Foreword......Page 14 Acknowledgements......Page 18 List of abbreviations......Page 20 Introduction......Page 22 The function of corporate headquarters......Page 29 Corporate structure and headquarters' function: BP and Shell......Page 46 Government centralisation and corporatisation: CNPC and Sinopec from the 1950s to 1997......Page 92 Restructuring for vertical integration and flotation: CNPC and Sinopec in 1998 and 1999......Page 122 Corporate structure and headquarters' function: PetroChina and Sinopec......Page 136 From production unit to autonomous enterprise and back to production unit: Daqing and Zhenhai......Page 159 Challenges for large Chinese firms......Page 184 Conclusion......Page 221 Epilogue......Page 229 Notes......Page 232 Bibliography......Page 235 Index......Page 241 This book examines the role of corporate structure, including the role of corporate headquarters, in the success of large firms. It considers these issues in relation to large global corporations, thereby providing a 'benchmark', which is then used as a contrast in a discussion of corporate structure and the role of corporate headquarters within large Chinese firms, many of which have evolved from former government ministries. It includes a detailed case study of firms in the crucially important oil and petro-chemical sector. Overall, the book shows what a hugely competitive battle China's emerging 'national champions' face with their global competitors, and puts forward policy implications both for large Chinese firms and for the Chinese government concerning how business systems should be reformed further still in order to construct globally competitive large industrial corporations