The Chinese Century : The Rising Chinese Economy and Its Impact on the Global Economy, the Balance of Power, and Your Job

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Summary: Assessing China from a balanced view
Review: A very timely and informative book that pictures Chinese economy and its implact on the rest of the world from a very balanced lens.

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Summary: Trite, star-struck
Review: As a manager of Chinese operations, I was disappointed with this book. It is fairly academic (i.e. poorly written and pompous), and stocked with punchy statistics (most garnered from Business Week, etc.). However, it communicates little new -- except to get back on the gung-ho and tired band wagon of how China is dominating the world. It would have been good if Mr. Shenkar had talked more about the downsides of operating in China, and what managers can do to turn their predicaments around. Instead, he spouts like a star-struck teenager of China's enormous promise and presence. The rationalizations Mr. Shenkar provides seem contrived and convoluted. For example, even the violations of copyrights are deucedly clever strategies on the part of the Chinese to maintain dominance. WOW! But, what does one do as a manager operating there? Is China doing this with mirrors? I doubt Mr. Shenkar has ever spoken to a manager in China. I would recommend "The Chinese Tao of Business" for a more realistic and timely appraisal of the realities in China

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Summary: The most insightful book about the chinese economy today.
Review: As an international business scholar and consultant, I was impressed with how this book conveys the realities of the China impact in a readable and straightforward manner. Business in a world where China is a major player will be fundamentally different from what we have been accustomed for, and this book gives you a compass of sort with which to understand the unfolding events and, more importantly, know how to react to them. If you have time to read only one of the many books on China you can find in the store today, this is the one you want to buy.



Rating:
Summary: A timely, expert assessment
Review: Shenkar hits the nail on the head by alerting us to the opportunities and threats of the Chinese revival that we ignore at our peril. The book is brilliantly argued, informative, analytical, and useful.

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Summary: Rote analysis
Review: This book provides a fair analysis of several problems facing China and businesses operating there. However, I was disappointed that the author had few insights other than those gleaned from popular business publications. The conclusions also seemed not based on any first-hand knowledge of China. I did not find this book particularly helpful in changing or contributing new knowledge about China, but a good compendium of current popular thought.

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Summary: Must read book for 21st century!
Review: This long-awaited insider's view of doing business in China informs you of the pitfalls and tells you what you need to know to succeed in the twenty-first century's great new business frontier. Oded Shenkar provides comprehensive but well-written review of the current political and economic system of China. Particularly interesting is a portrayal of the recent trends in US-China relationship. As the title of the book suggests, China will shape the world in the next century. The book is written primarily from an academic perspective, focusing on China's economic and market potentials and the impact of political developments on the business environment. It is must read for every business person.