German Knowledge Intensive Business Services (KIBS) in China

An empirical analysis of German KIBS in Beijing as knowledge intermediaries

Context:

China's rapid economic development during the last decades and recent signs of a far reaching structural shift from an industrialized export oriented economy to an economy driven by innovation, domestic consumption and services is reflected by German investment patterns inside mainland China. While the bulk of German investments were traditionally focused on industrial production, a diverse set of market drivers led to an increased investment of German Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBS) as well. As a sector that has been rarely researched before, German KIBS in China are an integral part of the German business community, shaping their environment in various ways.

Content:

This thesis aims to fill a research gap by providing a baseline study and qualitative survey on the presence, business activity and structure of German KIBS in China, as well as the function of German KIBS in Beijing as "knowledge intermediaries".

Theoretical considerations for this work are based on recent KIBS-research, outlining KIBS-functions and knowledge processing mechanisms, interaction patterns with partners and the relevance proximity. Furthermore, legal and economic framework conditions for foreign service companies in China are outlined, introducing Chinese government policies, regulations and current problems which affect the work of foreign companies in China.

The subsequent empirical analysis consists of two parts: A qualitative baseline study with a focus on the overall situation of German KIBS in the context of Chinese service sector development and an empirical micro analysis based on interviews, which aims to provide more detailed insights on German KIBS operations with respect to:

- Market entry
- China specific regulations and challenges
- External network relationships
- Innovation, mediation and interaction patterns within a project

As a conclusion, hypothesis are formulated based on the survey findings and possible areas of further research are outlined.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction
• 1.1 Background and research question
• 1.2 Structure of the thesis
• 2. Conceptual context: Theoretical background of Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBS)
• 2.1 Evolvement of KIBS research
• 2.2 Definition and characteristics of KIBS
• 2.3 Explanations and drivers of KIBS dynamics
• 2.4 KIBS - Spatial features and the role of proximity
• 2.4.1 Dimensions of proximity
• 2.4.2 Spatial distribution - Concentration of KIBS in urban areas
• 2.4.3 Network connections of KIBS
• 2.5 KIBS - Functions in the knowledge-based economy
• 2.5.1 KIBS as innovators - The process of knowledge generation inside KIBS
• 2.5.2 KIBS as intermediaries and innovation carriers
• 2.6 Dimensions of the KIBS knowledge base
• 2.6.1 Knowledge categories
• 2.6.2 Knowledge value chain
• 2.6.3 Knowledge domains
• 3. Conceptual context: Legal and economic framework conditions for foreign service companies in China
• 3.1 Chinese government policies on the service sector
• 3.1.1 The reform and opening period
• 3.1.2 Trade and investment policies
• 3.1.3 The 12th Five Year Plan - Implications regarding the service sector
• 3.2 Legal conditions of foreign operations in China
• 3.2.1 Legal forms of foreign direct investment
• 3.2.2 Implications of China's WTO membership and existing restrictions on the service sector
• 3.2.3 Intellectual property rights
• 3.3 Current problems of foreign invested service companies
• 3.3.1 Intellectual property rights violation
• 3.3.2 Intransparency of administrative measures and discrimination
• 3.3.3 Lack of highly qualified personnel
• 3.3.4 Cultural issues
• 3.3.5 Perspectives
• 3.4 Research questions for the empirical analysis
• 4. Empirical macro analysis - German KIBS in China with focus on Beijing
• 4.1 Methods
• 4.1.1 The tertiary sector in China - Approach
• 4.1.2 The tertiary sector in China – Data quality and availability
• 4.2 National level: the tertiary sector and German KIBS in China
• 4.2.1 German KIBS in China – Approach
• 4.2.2 German KIBS in China – Data quality
• 4.2.2 German KIBS in China - Structural analysis
• 4.3 Beijing: tertiary sector and German KIBS
• 4.3.1 Development and structural transformation of the tertiary sector
• 4.3.1 Structure of the tertiary sector in Beijing
• 4.3.2 German KIBS in Beijing - Structural analysis
• 4.4 Empirical macro analysis - Summary and discussion of results
• 5. Empirical micro analysis – The contribution of German KIBS as knowledge intermediaries in Beijing (interviews with chosen German KIBS in Beijing)
• 5.1 Methods
• 5.1.1 Empirical questions and interview sample
• 5.1.2 Qualitative interview and scriptualization
• 5.1.3 Text extraction and preparation
• 5.1.4 Implementation of the comparative analysis
• 5.2 Comparative Analysis
• 5.2.1 Background of interviewed companies and market entry
• 5.2.2 China specific regulations and challenges
• 5.2.3 Quality of external network relationships
• 5.2.4 Network relationships in the context of one project
• 5.2.5 Discussion of results with respect to conceptual context

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis analyzes the role of German knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) in China, specifically focusing on Beijing, as knowledge intermediaries. It examines the theoretical framework of KIBS, their spatial features, and their functions in the knowledge-based economy. Additionally, it delves into the legal and economic framework conditions for foreign service companies in China, exploring challenges and opportunities. The primary objective is to understand the interaction patterns of German KIBS in China-specific projects and their role in facilitating knowledge transfer and innovation. Key themes include: * **Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBS):** Definition, characteristics, spatial features, functions, and knowledge base. * **Foreign Service Companies in China:** Legal and economic framework conditions, government policies, challenges, and opportunities. * **German KIBS as Knowledge Intermediaries in Beijing:** Empirical analysis of their contribution to knowledge transfer and innovation through network relationships. * **Interaction Patterns of German KIBS in China-specific Projects:** Examining the role of KIBS in facilitating knowledge transfer and innovation. * **China's Tertiary Sector:** Development, structural transformation, and data quality.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The thesis begins with an introduction outlining the background and research question, which explores the role of German KIBS in China as knowledge intermediaries. Chapter 2 provides a theoretical foundation by defining and exploring the characteristics, spatial features, and functions of KIBS within the knowledge-based economy. The legal and economic framework conditions for foreign service companies in China are detailed in Chapter 3, covering government policies, legal conditions, and challenges faced by foreign companies. Chapter 4 delves into the empirical macro analysis, focusing on the tertiary sector in China and the presence of German KIBS, specifically in Beijing. It examines data quality, structural analysis, and the development of the tertiary sector. Chapter 5 presents the empirical micro analysis, which involves interviews with selected German KIBS in Beijing to assess their role as knowledge intermediaries, focusing on their network relationships, market entry strategies, and the challenges they face in the Chinese context.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This thesis centers around the themes of knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS), foreign investment in China, the service sector, knowledge transfer, innovation, and network analysis. It examines the role of German KIBS in China, particularly in Beijing, as knowledge intermediaries, exploring their contribution to the Chinese knowledge-based economy. Key concepts include proximity, knowledge value chain, intellectual property rights, and the challenges of operating in a complex regulatory environment.

Details

• College: University of Marburg
• Grade: 1,1
• Author: Julian Schwabe (Author)
• Publication Year: 2012
• Pages: 158
• Catalog Number: V230749
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656472186
• ISBN (Book): 9783656472377
• Language: English
• Tags: german knowledge-intensive business services kibs china beijing