The newest chapter in China's long history (HR Manager's Bookshelf)

A look at recent books designed to help organizations trade and do business with the world's most populous nation

There’s a lot of money to be made in China. And one thing’s for sure, there are a lot of books on the topic. Here are some recent releases to help prepare for trade and business with the world’s most populous nation.

Myths About Doing Business in China
by Harold Chee and Chris West
Palgrave Macmillan (2005)
ISBN 140394458X


This book confronts myths about China and Chinese business practices and gives the reader a clear understanding of the culture and how to engage with it successfully to avoid costly financial and strategic errors. Chapters cover the Chinese market, the rules and practices for conducting negotiations, business etiquette, business executives, the workers and more.



Harvard Business Review on Doing Business in China
Harvard Business School Press (2004)
ISBN 1591396387


This book, a collection of eight articles, each written by experts on Chinese business and culture, offers timely and insightful analysis on what it will take to successfully do business in China now and in the future. Topics include issues faced by multinational corporations in the newly opened Chinese domestic market, unique cultural and social factors that influence Chinese consumers and cultural traditions westerners must understand to negotiate successfully with the Chinese.



Made in China

by Donald N. Sull and Yong Harry Wang
Harvard Business School Press (2005)
ISBN 1591397154


Subtitled, What Western Managers Can Learn from Trailblazing Chinese Entrepreneurs, this book profiles eight businesses that have managed to thrive amidst the turbulence and uncertainty in China over the last decade, and uncovers the secrets of their success. It explores their business strategies, from how they anticipate and manoeuvre through emerging threats to how they manage risks and how they consistently come out on top. These profiles provide a model for managing in unpredictable environments worldwide.



China in the World Economy
edited by Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
Kogan Page Business Books (2003)
ISBN 0749439181


“This landmark study provides a comprehensive guide to all aspects of China’s economy today, and also from a historical perspective. It also gives an authoritative view of the domestic policy challenges ahead as China adapts to WTO membership.” The book provides detailed information and statistics, giving valuable information into past, present and future economic patterns and trends in a number of business sectors.



Mastering Business in Asia: Human Resource Management
by Hugh Bucknall and Reiji Ohtaki
John Wiley and Sons Canada (2004)
ISBN 0470821132


This book explores HR management from an Asian perspective. Written by experts with in-depth experience in Asia, it gives managers examples, lessons learned and case studies to help understand and manage the diverse HR needs. Issues covered include compensation and performance management, leadership models, the evolution of expatriate pay patterns and much more.



Asian Eclipse: Exposing the Dark Side of Business in Asia
by Michael Backman
John Wiley & Sons Canada (2001)
ISBN 0471479128


This revised book is an in-depth assessment of business practices in Asia. This recent edition features a chapter on the Internet and e-commerce in Asia, as well as interesting anecdotes and observations of major business and political players.



China Inc.
by Ted C. Fishman
Scribner (2005)
ISBN 0743257529


Subtitled, How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World, this book provides answers to a number of questions, including: What makes China’s emerging corporations so competitive? What will happen when China is able to manufacture everything the West does, at half the cost? And what does the corporate move into China mean for all the workers left behind in North America, Europe and the rest of the world? The author draws on interviews with Chinese, American and European workers, managers and executives to show how China will force big changes in how North Americans think about themselves as consumers, workers, citizens and even as parents.

Shannon Martin is Canadian HR Reporter’s resource editor.

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