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M. Tech. Entrepreneurship / This study explored the extent of co-operation between South African and Chinese small and medium-sized businesses. The researcher investigated the existing strategies and co-operation models of successful and unsuccessful Chinese small and medium-sized businesses that engage in business with South African businesses, identified the co-operation approaches followed by both successful and unsuccessful Chinese small and medium-sized businesses and explained the advantages and shortcomings of both successful and unsuccessful Chinese businesses in South Africa.

This thesis studies some of the major factors affecting relationship development between Vietnamese and North American business people, including: the different status of foreigners, the economic needs of the Vietnamese, the unsettled environment, the different conception of working relationships and the importance of face. The focus of the empirical research is the relationship development between Vietnamese and North American negotiators. A review of the Vietnamese culture and the pertinent literature led to the formulation and thesis of three hypotheses with respect to: the most important issue for the Vietnamese negotiator, the type of relationship wanted by the Vietnamese negotiator, and the impact of status differential on the relationship. Two principal research methods were used to test these hypotheses. First, a questionnaire was distributed to business people attending business classes at the University of Economics of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Second, a series of interviews was conducted with Vietnamese and North American business people living and working in Vietnam. The findings confirm that the Vietnamese emphasize the development of good working relationships with their negotiating counterparts. It should be noted, however, that the concept of a good working relationship is conceived differently than in North America. The second hypothesis is partially supported by the data; the Vietnamese negotiators seem to attach more importance to the evaluation of the trust of their partners, rather than to competitive or cooperative objectives. This is because the Vietnamese negotiators want to make sure they will not be in a situation in which they might lose face. This appears to be the main relationship objective of the Vietnamese negotiators. No conclusive evidence has been found to endorse the third hypothesis. Although status differential affects the behavior of Vietnamese negotiators, it does not affect the way they develop relationships with their North American partners. Possibly, the special status of North American business people, and the similar basis of all business interactions, have led the Vietnamese to have specific relationship objectives when negotiating with North Americans, whatever their status might be.

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China’s massive growth has left her in need of new energy and raw materials sources to fuel her fast developing economy. Consequently, China has turned to the African region to meet such critical needs. To this end, China’s emerging economy appears to be associated with an increasing strengthening of its political and economic relations with sub-Saharan African countries, particularly with South Africa. At the same time, South Africa is also enjoying improved relations be it economic, political and social with China. This research has three tasks: first it will examine the impact of the China- South Africa political and economic relations on the socio-economic fabric of South Africa. Secondly, this project will ascertain the opportunities and challenges presented by China’s relations with South Africa. Finally, this study will investigate whether this relationship is mutually beneficial or one-sided. A combination of the realism, Balance of Power, Heckscher-Ohlin theory, and notions from the Liberalist approach to International Political Economy theories will be used in explaining the China – South Africa relationship. The study will mainly take the form of a qualitative study and will mainly entail the examination, analysis and interpretation of documentary secondary data published in a variety of financial journals, non-profit organisations such as the Trade Law Centre for Southern Africa (TRALAC) and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), government departments, reports and articles in the media as well as research conducted by other students. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

This thesis studies some of the major factors affecting relationship development between Vietnamese and North American business people, including: the different status of foreigners, the economic needs of the Vietnamese, the unsettled environment, the different conception of working relationships and the importance of face. The focus of the empirical research is the relationship development between Vietnamese and North American negotiators. A review of the Vietnamese culture and the pertinent literature led to the formulation and thesis of three hypotheses with respect to: the most important issue for the Vietnamese negotiator, the type of relationship wanted by the Vietnamese negotiator, and the impact of status differential on the relationship. Two principal research methods were used to test these hypotheses. First, a questionnaire was distributed to business people attending business classes at the University of Economics of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Second, a series of interviews was conducted with Vietnamese and North American business people living and working in Vietnam. The findings confirm that the Vietnamese emphasize the development of good working relationships with their negotiating counterparts. It should be noted, however, that the concept of a good working relationship is conceived differently than in North America. The second hypothesis is partially supported by the data; the Vietnamese negotiators seem to attach more importance to the evaluation of the trust of their partners, rather than to competitive or cooperative objectives. This is because the Vietnamese negotiators want to make sure they will not be in a situation in which they might lose face. This appears to be the main relationship objective of the Vietnamese negotiators. No conclusive evidence has been found to endorse the third hypothesis. Although status differential affects the behavior of Vietnamese negotiators, it does not affect the way they develop relationships with their North American partners. Possibly, the special status of North American business people, and the similar basis of all business interactions, have led the Vietnamese to have specific relationship objectives when negotiating with North Americans, whatever their status might be. / Business, Sauder School of / Graduate

When implemented within a favourable legislative framework, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) can produce domestic growth-enhancing spillovers in host countries. Other potential positive effects include the provision of investment capital, the creation of local employment and the transfer of sophisticated technology or advanced knowledge. African nations in particular have been historically reliant on externally-provided funds. Prevailing low income levels, marginal savings rates and the absence of functioning financial markets necessary to provide local start-up capital continue to keep Africa reliant on foreign inflows. Considering China’s increasing financial commitments to Sub- Saharan Africa (SSA) over the last decade, this study examines the state of current Sino-African investment relationships. Specific attention is paid to the outcomes of this strategic bilateral alliance in order to determine whether or not a mutually beneficial investment relationship has evolved. The distinct nature and structure of, the motivation behind and the most significant determinants of Chinese FDI to SSA are all analysed in accordance with traditional FDI theories. A case study approach is used to establish whether China’s contemporary interest in SSA differs from historical investments and to also investigate country-specific commonalities and differences. Of particular relevance to SSA are resource-backed Chinese loans that finance major infrastructure projects in host nations. Interestingly, a lot of the Sino-African investment packages resemble similar deals struck between China and Japan in the 1970s. The results of this study indicate that China’s investment motives seem more diverse than initially expected. Resource-seeking, profit-seeking and market access-seeking reasons appear to be the most important motives. After establishing the Top- Ten recipients of Chinese FDI in SSA, these nations are then classified into three major categories: resource-, oil- or agricultural-rich nations. Undiversified resource- or oil-rich economies are found to have secured the largest shares of Chinese FDI. This study suggests that China’s contemporary “African Safari” is an unconventional way of providing financial assistance. Rather than solely supplying FDI, China finances a diverse mix of instruments, the most important being concessional loans, export credits, zero-interest loans and the establishment of Special Economic Zones. A profound difference to traditional Western investment packages is China’s non-interference approach. Accordingly, Beijing not only refrains from intervening in host countries’ domestic affairs but also refuses to attach formal conditionalties to its loans. China’s “financial safari” into Africa has produced many positive as well as negative effects in host countries. Nevertheless, it would seem that the positive effects outweigh the negative and China’s FDI could contribute to sustainable development in SSA