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Why China Matters
China emerged from 50 years of communist rule to become the manufacturer to the world, as well as the planet’s fastest-growing economy. What happens with the development of China’s workforce is likely to influence the West—including the United States. In this multimedia special report, staff writer Ed Frauenheim explores why China matters to workforce management professionals worldwide.
By Ed Frauenheim
"China is a hill worth dying for."
 hat’s how Guo Xin, managing director at Mercer Human Resource Consulting for
mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, describes what’s at stake for companies when
it comes to their Chinese operations.
What he means is that for company after company, China’s potent domestic market
of 1.3 billion consumers represents a chance to reverse past losses and grab the
top spot in global market share.
Already, many multinational firms are competing fiercely in the country and going
great guns. But their very growth, combined with a lack of homegrown management
talent, has led to serious problems surrounding leadership in Chinese operations.
Chief among the difficulties is the dubious practice of prematurely promoting junior
managers—either from within or poached from a competitor. Firms are turning to expatriates
to help shoulder the leadership load. But foreigners can find China a tough assignment
amid major cultural differences. And ethical pitfalls remain, despite efforts to
clean up corruption.
Given all the hurdles, human resource departments in China play a vital role.
They have their own internal challenges. Many are far from operating as strategic
business partners, and turnover is an issue: HR execs themselves are heavily headhunted
in China. Western-based consulting firms are eager to help with leadership issues
and are quickly expanding Chinese operations. But questions arise about how much
value they can provide in the country.
During a three-week reporting trip in China, Workforce Management explored these
issues in depth. The resulting stories can be found in our March 12 print edition
and on this Web site. If China is a hill to die for, then the leaders in the battle
are vital. Capable, consistent, culturally attuned executives in China matter not
only to companies, but to the country overall and, ultimately, the broader world.
Workforce Management Online, March 2007 -- Register Now!
Ed Frauenheim is a Workforce Management staff writer based in San Francisco. E-mail editors@workforce.com to comment.
Next Article: 1. HR on the Hot Seat in China
Not only do HR departments at multinationals face intense challenges when it comes to leadership talent matters, but HR executives themselves are among the most sought-after professionals.
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Feature Contents
1. HR on the Hot Seat in China
Not only do HR departments at multinationals face intense challenges when it comes to leadership talent matters, but HR executives themselves are among the most sought-after professionals.
2. Vendors’ Fast Boat to China
Just as California in the mid-1800s was known as “gold mountain” to the Chinese, vendors of HR services with roots in the West see vast potential riches in today’s China and its tough leadership talent problems.
3. Blog: China Matters
Staff writer Ed Frauenheim’s blog about his experiences reporting on leadership and talent management issues in China.
4. China Matters Podcasts
Staff writer Ed Frauenheim recently interviewed several leading workforce management professionals in China, a nation undergoing rapid economic transformation. This series of podcasts brings you informative interviews with executives who are grappling with talent acquisition, management and leadership issues in the world's fastest growing economy.
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