Looking for Edumacation.

July 20, 2009 2:45 AM

ChinaFilter: I'm interested in learning more about the corporate structure and environment inside China's state-owned energy enterprises. What should I look at/for?

I'm currently writing a work of fiction which will, ideally, involve a look into Chinese state-owned energy corporations and their corporate culture and structure. Where should I turn, both on- and off-line, to learn more about these generally secretive entities? Both book and website recommendations would be appreciated -- my Google and Amazon pimphands have failed.

Thanks.

posted by the NATURAL to Law & Government (3 answers total)

Not sure about Energy specific companies, but in general when looking at corporate structure the Dummy series of books are your friend; Doing Business in China for Dummies has a few pages that will help you get some background material.

Chapter 3, page 49, Figuring out the Chinese Business Scene would be a good place to start, and they've got several case studies showing how businesses changed structures over time as they grew.

A good online FAQ is offered by this law firm; again, some of entries may help you with necessary jargon.

A little more rigorous treatment of the subject can be found in Brown's Chinese Business Enterprise (although I'm gasping at the price - don't even think of purchasing and get yourself to a University library!!), in particular Chapter 12, The Organizational Structure of the traditional Chinese firm and its modern reform.

Hope this helps!
posted by Mutant at 4:05 AM on July 20, 2009 [1 favorite]

I don't think the corporate culture of Chinese state owned enterprises is that secretive. One place to start would be academic sources about organizational behaviour/business ethics. I went to a very interesting talk given by Professor Jia Lin Xie where she basically recounted anecdotes about the changes in Chinese corporate culture over the last twenty years. Her papers listed on that website would obviously be a lot drier, but it should give you a good idea about the kinds of key words and books to be looking up.

Good luck.

pimphands. really?
posted by dustyasymptotes at 9:04 PM on July 20, 2009

Try getting in contact with the good people at JUCCCE. This would be right up their alley.
posted by Televangelist at 10:25 AM on November 30, 2009