China's Ownership Transformation

Book excerpt: China's emergence as a global economic player has been accompanied by a major internal transformation. Over the past decade, the economy has made the transition from complete reliance on state-owned and collective enterprise to a mixed economy where private enterprise also plays a strong role. Gaizhi, a Chinese term meaning 'transforming the system', has become a major phenomenon in most parts of the country; in many cases it has involved full privatization. 'China's Ownership Transformation' applies descriptive and econometric analysis to survey, and official statistical data to examine, the progress of gaizhi over the years and across regions. It discusses the main players in the process, their motivation and incentives, and looks at the forms, scope, and timing of gaizhi. The authors also provide an assessment of the outcomes of gaizhi, focusing on employee issues, corporate governance issues and firm performance. The book concludes with discussion of the issues related to the fairness and efficiency of the gaizhi process, particularly concerning the role of management buy-outs and outside investors. These issues are at the center of a lively public debate in China, which is likely to influence future Chinese policies toward gaizhi. This title provides researchers, students, policymakers, and those interested in the emergence of China as a global manufacturing and economic powerhouse with in-depth information on the transformation of its state-owned sector.