Drawing upon extensive field research in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, this book focuses on networks of business and personal relationships as a key means of transnational operations. The book highlights the role of Chinese business networks in facilitating the emergence of transnational corporations from an Asian newly industrialised economy - Hong Kong.
Beginning with the observation that today's global economy is increasingly made up of co-operative networks and alliances among transnational corporations, the book examines the emerging characteristics and competitive advantage of transnational corporations from Asian NIEs. A business network perspective is used to examine the organisation of transnational business activities through intra-firm, inter-firm and extra-firm networks. Based upon qualitative case studies, the book explains how Hong Kong firms organise their Southeast Asian operations through the overseas Chinese business and personal guanxi networks.
This book is a timely theoretical and empirical contribution to the recent debate on the nature and operations of 'bamboo networks' with the global economy and their role in the rapid economic growth and regional integration among Asia-Pacific economies.