Greater China at the Crossroads? Convergence, Culture and Competitiveness

Abstract

All those interested in international business and geopolitics are now conscious of globalization, regionalism and convergence. Despite the diplomatic tensions in the Asia Pacific region, links of trade and investment are seemingly drawing nations closer. Trade with mainland China has been central to economic growth in Hong Kong and Taiwan which, in turn, has led to the investment in China and its consequent economic development. However, economic factors, as well as political uncertainty, ultimately place limits on the development of closer regional integration. It is thus fair to ask whether business practices and objectives among the established and newly emerging enterprises of Greater China are as homogeneous or as predestined towards convergence as certain commentators contend. On the one hand, some recent studies argue for the validity of cross-national comparisons and similarities between ethnic Chinese, and emphasize that such similarities can only be reinforced by foreign direct investment and j...