While much of the Western world focuses on aspects of China that appear to threaten other nations, we should not ignore the lessons that can be found in China’s remarkable evolution as a marketplace innovator. The first key fundamental lesson to take from China’s digital innovators is the benefits of fully embracing user-driven innovation, starting with unmet customer needs, rather than transformational technology embodied in what you are sure will .....more

Most companies find it extremely difficult to achieve high organizational fluidity—even leading firms like Cisco and Microsoft. However, Huawei has made significant strides toward closing the gap between internal flexibility and the rate of external market change. The authors of this article carried out face-to-face interviews in Shenzhen over a period of five weeks, beginning in September 2015, with 15 former senior executives of Huawei, including .....more

Though China’s foreign investment in Africa is still relatively small, it is growing at a phenomenal rate and attracting international attention. Investment is especially pronounced in the mining and energy sectors, as China consumes a quarter of the world’s annual production of minerals and Africa accounts for thirty per cent of the world’s mineral reserves. This article views China’s foreign investment in Africa through the lens of the mining industry .....more

Although innovation investments are the right strategy for the long term, it is rare that CEOs increase their innovation budget while the effects of a recession persist. This article suggests that the solution to this dilemma lies not in changing the level of innovation spending, but in rethinking the type of innovation investment made. Given their potential benefits in a recessionary environment, it is important to understand three non-mainstream .....more

It's a competitor's notion of the perfect storm - low-cost and value-added provider. These authors have valuable advice to help managers weather the storm.