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Institutional Constraints on Economic Reform: The Case of Investment Decisions in China

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  • John Child

    (Judge Institute of Management Studies, University of Cambridge, Fitzwilliam House, 32 Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1 QY United Kingdom)

  • Lu Yuan

    (Judge Institute of Management Studies, University of Cambridge, Fitzwilliam House, 32 Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1 QY United Kingdom)

Abstract

The paper examines the process of investment decision making in six Chinese state enterprises during the economic reform which combined moves towards a market system with a continuing role for the state in industrial governance. This placed investment at the boundary between bureaucratic control and market forces, the theory being that enterprise managers would advance investment proposals in response to the market while government authorities retained the right of final approval in the light of broader-based priorities.This mixed “market socialism” model has been treated with considerable scepticism by the so-called “reform economists” in Eastern Europe who doubt that enterprises can pursue policies which are rational in terms of market forces so long as they remain subject to significant administrative influence. Resource dependence and institutional perspectives, in drawing attention to higher administrative agencies as providers respectively of critical resources and of legitimacy for the state enterprises under their purview, also predict that institutional constraints will continue to operate on enterprise decision making. North's discussion of informal institutional arrangements and incremental change gives rise to similar expectations.Detailed examination of the investment decision process at the three major stages of initiation, design and detailing, and final authorization does in fact indicate that it remains heavily dependent upon higher authorities. The reasons for this continuing dependence are discussed and comparisons are drawn with the investment decision process in western countries.

Suggested Citation

  • John Child & Lu Yuan, 1996. "Institutional Constraints on Economic Reform: The Case of Investment Decisions in China," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 7(1), pages 60-77, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:7:y:1996:i:1:p:60-77
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.7.1.60
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    3. Elmassri, Moataz Moamen & Harris, Elaine Pamela & Carter, David Bernard, 2016. "Accounting for strategic investment decision-making under extreme uncertainty," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 48(2), pages 151-168.
    4. Jinyang Hua & Paul Miesing & Mingfang Li, 2006. "An Empirical Taxonomy of SOE Governance in Transitional China," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 10(4), pages 401-433, November.
    5. Augustine A. Lado & George S. Vozikis, 1997. "Transfer of Technology to Promote Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries: An Integration and Proposed Framework," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 21(2), pages 55-72, January.
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    20. Dau, Luis Alfonso & Moore, Elizabeth M. & Kostova, Tatiana, 2020. "The impact of market based institutional reforms on firm strategy and performance: Review and extension," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(4).
    21. Gustafsson, Robin & Autio, Erkko, 2011. "A failure trichotomy in knowledge exploration and exploitation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(6), pages 819-831, July.
    22. Chittoor, Raveendra & Ray, Sougata & Aulakh, Preet S. & Sarkar, M.B., 2008. "Strategic responses to institutional changes: 'Indigenous growth' model of the Indian pharmaceutical industry," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 14(3), pages 252-269, September.
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    25. GUAN, Jian Cheng & YAM, Richard C.M. & Tang, Esther P.Y. & Lau, Antonio K.W., 2009. "Innovation strategy and performance during economic transition: Evidences in Beijing, China," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(5), pages 802-812, June.

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