Despite the increasing significance of Chinese family businesses (CFBs) as an important sector in China??s fast-growing economy, family businesses in China have received little research attention in the literature. The aims of this study are two-fold. First, the study examines the current human resource management (HRM) practices of selected family businesses in the country in areas of recruitment and selection, training and development, performance appraisal, and rewards. Second, it investigates differences in HRM practices of CFBs between the eastern-coastal and inland regions of the country. From a questionnaire survey of 205 CFBs operating in seven cities in two regions, this study has found that CFBs combine their traditional informal, relationship-based HR practices with western-style HR practices. Furthermore, both univariate and multivariate analyses have demonstrated significant regional differences in HRM, thus supporting the argument that a firm??s HR practices are shaped by institutions in which the firm operates. The findings of this study make important contributions to both research and practice. First, the findings have provided further evidence to the applicability of institutional theory to the explanation of HRM practices. Second, the study has also provided some practical implications for HR managers of firms, both domestic and foreign, in China. However, results of this study need to be interpreted with caution because external validity is sacrificed to an extent given its focus on family businesses, a non-probability sampling method and relatively small sample size. In addition, the cross-sectional approach adopted in the study fails to identify changes in HRM over time. Despite the limitations, however, this study has contributed to the body of knowledge by enhancing our understanding of CFBs in China and their HRM that have been under-researched empirically.

Despite the increasing significance of Chinese family businesses (CFBs) as an important sector in China??s fast-growing economy, family businesses in China have received little research attention in the literature. The aims of this study are two-fold. First, the study examines the current human resource management (HRM) practices of selected family businesses in the country in areas of recruitment and selection, training and development, performance appraisal, and rewards. Second, it investigates differences in HRM practices of CFBs between the eastern-coastal and inland regions of the country. From a questionnaire survey of 205 CFBs operating in seven cities in two regions, this study has found that CFBs combine their traditional informal, relationship-based HR practices with western-style HR practices. Furthermore, both univariate and multivariate analyses have demonstrated significant regional differences in HRM, thus supporting the argument that a firm??s HR practices are shaped by institutions in which the firm operates. The findings of this study make important contributions to both research and practice. First, the findings have provided further evidence to the applicability of institutional theory to the explanation of HRM practices. Second, the study has also provided some practical implications for HR managers of firms, both domestic and foreign, in China. However, results of this study need to be interpreted with caution because external validity is sacrificed to an extent given its focus on family businesses, a non-probability sampling method and relatively small sample size. In addition, the cross-sectional approach adopted in the study fails to identify changes in HRM over time. Despite the limitations, however, this study has contributed to the body of knowledge by enhancing our understanding of CFBs in China and their HRM that have been under-researched empirically.

by Hsu Wen-pin Benjamin. / Bibliography: leaves 58-60 / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1986

Prior literature focuses on the causes and effects of ownership concentration between significant blockholders and minority shareholders. Anecdotal evidence shows that it is also important to look at the causes and effects of ownership concentration within controlling families as family ownership can become diffused after generations. Family trust is a popular vehicle for holding family ownership. It allows a founder to concentrate firm ownership on a long-term basis, preventing control loss after he/she steps down. Family members can enjoy control benefits such as preservation of their family intangible assets. However, there is tradeoff. Family members cannot resolve their conflicts by acquiring and selling off shares among them, since they are no longer the legal owners of the shares. / Using a sample of 216 family firms listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with time series data spanning 1990--2008, I investigate the causes and effects of ownership concentration by means of family trust. I fmd that when family control is important (when there exists a large amount of family intangibles), there is a higher propensity that family trust is used to concentrate ownership and secure control, provided that the cost of using it is low (small family size hence low family conflict). However, when there are more and more family members after generations, the benefit of preserving the intangibles may not be high enough to cover the cost of potential family conflict, leading to firm value loss. Moreover, the cost of using trust magnifies during difficult periods such as financial distress, economic downturn and leadership succession. Hence, firms with high potential family conflict have poorer performance during difficult time if family trust is used for holding the firm's controlling stake. Family trust also induces common pool problem. Family members tend to extract resources from the family firm as much and as early as possible, leading to higher payout and slower firm growth. / Leung, Siu Ching. / Adviser: Joseph P. H. Fan. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-03, Section: A, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 58). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

by Tsui Hok Kan, Brian. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 53). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.v / Chapter / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Background --- p.1 / Cable & Wireless : A Strategic Perspective --- p.2 / Research Objective --- p.4 / Methodology --- p.8 / Chapter II. --- CABLE & WIRELESS HISTORY --- p.11 / Chapter III. --- RELATIONS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND INDIVIDUAL SUBSIDIARIES --- p.14 / Matrix Classification of Cable & Wireless Group's Subsidiaries --- p.14 / Case Studies : Cross-national Related Strategy --- p.15 / Cable & Wireless Business Networks --- p.16 / Cable & Wireless Mobile --- p.16 / Case Studies : Cross-national Unrelated Strategy --- p.17 / Omnes --- p.18 / Cable & Wireless (Marine) Ltd --- p.19 / PHS International Ltd --- p.20 / Case Studies : National Related Strategy --- p.21 / Hongkong Telecom ´ب --- p.21 / OPTUS --- p.23 / Case Studies : National Unrelated Strategy --- p.24 / Sembawang Cable Depot Pte Ltd --- p.24 / S.B. Submarine Systems Co. Ltd --- p.25 / Chapter IV. --- DISCUSSION --- p.27 / General Organization of Cable & Wireless Activities --- p.27 / General Observations on Relations Between Organizational Characteristics and Strategies --- p.29 / Business Diversification and Geographic Diversification --- p.30 / Concluding Remarks --- p.31 / Chapter APPENDIX 1 - --- QUESTIONNAIRE FOR HONGKONG TELECOM --- p.34 / Chapter APPENDIX 2 - --- SUMMARY OF SURVEY RESULTS --- p.40 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.53 / Books / Periodicals / Annual Reports / Interviews

Throughout the world, weather-related and other natural phenomena claim thousands of lives and devour billions of dollars annually in recovery efforts. Destruction of life and property in the wake of disasters is devastating, and can have a dramatic impact on families and businesses around the globe. Yet, published works specifically in the field of Family Resource Management (FRM) reveal a limited understanding of how families respond when these critical events strike with little or no warning, particularly for business-owning families. This paper explores family business responses to a particular natural disaster through case study research from the FRM perspective. Essentially, its purpose is to ascertain whether the FRM description of management is useful for family business systems in the wake of a natural disaster. A review of the FRM and family business literature is offered, followed by a broad description of qualitative methods and a justification for the case study methodology for this project. In-depth information about the successful management of a natural disaster was gathered through face-to-face and phone interviews with five leaders of family-owned businesses. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed, followed by member checks and peer reviews to strengthen the trustworthiness of the findings. Based on the experiences of the five CEOs that participated in this study, it appears that the FRM conceptualization of management generally captured their experience and can perhaps be a useful tool in conceptualizing the preparation for, and recovery from, critical events. It was also found, as anticipated, that access to tangible resources (money, materials, equipment) and intangible resources (communication processes, family unity, adaptability, relationships) was a key to successful management. What was somewhat surprising, however, was the emphasis placed on the power of relationships in the management process. A discussion on how this study relates to previous work on family stress and coping models is offered, and implications for researchers, practitioners, and government agencies that interface with families in business are provided. / Graduation date: 2003

by Ann Shu-ju Chiu. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-157). / Acknowledgement --- p.i / Chapter 1. --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Statement of the Problem --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Literature Reviews --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- Fieldwork --- p.12 / Chapter 2. --- China Policy towards Foreign Investment and the Entry Mode of Taiwanese Investors / Chapter 2.1 --- China Policy in SEZs and Foreign Investment --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2 --- The Entry Mode of Taiwanese Investors --- p.26 / Chapter 3. --- Cultural Identity and the Business Behavior of the Taiwanese Business people in Mainland China --- p.32 / Chapter 3.1 --- Special Economic Zones and Dialect Group Identity --- p.36 / Chapter 3.2 --- Religious Connections --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3 --- Trends of Popular Culture --- p.50 / Chapter 3.4 --- Business of Food Culture --- p.55 / Chapter 4. --- Taiwanese Business Behavior Pattern in the China Market --- p.66 / Chapter 4.1 --- Guanxi as a Socio-cultura 1 Value Shared by Ethnic Chinese --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2 --- The Political Culture of Guanxi --- p.73 / Chapter 4.3 --- Taiwanese Ethnic Edge in the China Market --- p.78 / Chapter 4.4 --- The Practice of Guanxi of the Taiwanese Businessmen --- p.84 / Chapter 4.5 --- The Changing Patterns of Guanxi Practice --- p.89 / Chapter 4.6 --- Discussions on the Rationality of the Guanxi Value Systems --- p.93 / Chapter 4.7 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.102 / Chapter 5. --- "Investment, Management and Cultural Affinity" / Chapter 5.1 --- Cultural Affinity and Investment Behavior: From Donation to Investment --- p.103 / Chapter 5.2 --- Taiwanese Investment and Management --- p.114 / Chapter 5.3 --- Kinship and Management --- p.121 / Chapter 5.4 --- Taiwanese Employees in Multinational Corporations --- p.128 / Chapter 5.5 --- Patterns of Investments --- p.133 / Chapter 6. --- Concluding Remarks --- p.138 / Notes --- p.146 / Bibliography --- p.147