Process Innovation in China's Furniture Industry PDF Download

Author: Na Yu
Publisher:
ISBN: 9783844006681
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 158

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Author: Xiaozhi Cao
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Furniture
Languages : en
Pages : 236

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Book Description
Innovation is considered the ultimate drive for business success. Fast growing furniture imports from China have become a controversial topic within U.S. wood and furniture industries. Low-cost production, which is stereotypically considered as the major competitive advantage of the Chinese-made products, has received considerable attention by a large body of research, while the Chinese furniture industry's innovative side is less studied. This study profiles the industry's recent development and measures its innovativeness via a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Management-level interviews were conducted with 18 Chinese companies recommended as innovative by industry experts. A conceptual innovation model developed using qualitative analysis of interviews was tested by a quantitative survey. Key findings suggest that Chinese furniture companies are pursuing innovation with three equal focuses on product, process and business systems. In the future, the industry will likely become more innovative in all three aspects, with major focuses on product and process. Company innovativeness was significantly correlated with company competitiveness. Improving sales performance and minimizing costs provide motivations for Chinese companies to adopt innovation. No relationship was found between profitability and innovativeness. This suggests that the industry's traditional focus on low-cost-low-profit production still has significant influence on industry innovation activities. Company innovativeness and competitiveness also varied with company size and export orientation. Forming strategic alliances with large Chinese manufacturers with moderate export orientation is suggested for U.S. furniture companies wishing to enter into the Chinese market.

Author: Peter Ping Li
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136696121
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 266

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Book Description
With the rapid development of China and India as new economic powers in global competition, an obvious question is whether these emerging economies are great opportunities or threats. Whilst answers are bound to differ depending on one’s perspective, it is increasingly clear that more local firms, especially local entrepreneurs, from these emerging economies will play a more critical role in global competition by becoming challengers to global incumbents. Indeed, the fact that the majority of their populations are at the bottom of the pyramid, and thus cannot afford products designed for the developed markets, has made these emerging economies fertile ground for developing and applying disruptive innovations. A novel mix of key attributes distinctive from those of established technologies or business models, disruptive innovations are typically inferior, yet affordable and "good-enough" products or services, which originate in lower-end market segments, but later move up to compete with those provided by incumbent firms. This book sheds new light on disruptive innovations both from and for the bottom of the pyramid in China and India, from the point of view of local entrepreneurs and international firms seeking to operate their businesses there. It covers both the theoretical and practical implications of disruptive innovation using conceptual frameworks alongside detailed case studies, whilst also providing a comparison of conditions and strategic options in India and China. Further, unlike existing studies, this book focuses on the neglected perspective of local challengers as the primary players, and in doing so reveals the extent to which the future landscape of global competition may be shaped by disruptive innovation, as well as its capacity to make the world "flatter" and more sustainable. This unique book will be valuable to both scholars and practitioners interested in disruptive innovation and those working in the fields of Asian studies, international business, economics and globalization.

Author: Jussi Ilari Kantola
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319420704
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 1228

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Book Description
This book reports on practical approaches for facilitating the process of achieving excellence in the management and leadership of organizational resources. It shows how the principles of creating shared value can be applied to ensure faster learning, training, business development, and social renewal. In particular, the book presents novel methods and tools for tackling the complexity of management and learning in both business organizations and society. It covers ontologies, intelligent management systems, methods for creating knowledge and value added. It gives novel insights into time management and operations optimization, as well as advanced methods for evaluating customers’ satisfaction and conscious experience. Based on the AHFE 2016 International Conference on Human Factors, Business Management and Society, held on July 27-31, 2016, Walt Disney World®, Florida, USA, the book provides both researchers and professionals with new tools and inspiring ideas for achieving excellence in various business activities.

Author: George S. Yip
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262534754
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 303

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Book Description
A book for everyone who does business with China or in China. The history-making development of the Chinese economy has entered a new phase. China is moving aggressively from a strategy of imitation to one of innovation. Driven both by domestic needs and by global ambition, China is establishing itself at the forefront of technological innovation. Western businesses need to prepare for a tidal wave of innovation from China that is about to hit Western markets, and Chinese businesses need to understand the critical importance of innovation in their future. Experts George Yip and Bruce McKern explain this epic transformation and propose strategies for both Western and Chinese companies. This book is for everyone who does business with China or in China, or is interested in the development of the world's fastest-growing economy. Western CEOs can learn from Chinese companies and can create an effective innovation process in China, for China and the world. Chinese CEOs can benefit from understanding the strategies of their peers as they strive to enter foreign markets. And all Western businesses should prepare for disruption from their new competitors. Yip and McKern provide case studies of successful firms, outline ten ways in which the managerial and innovative capabilities of these firms differ from those of Western firms, and describe how multinationals doing business in China can become part of the Chinese ecosystem of new knowledge and technology. Yip and McKern argue that these innovation capabilities will be the basis for creating world-class products and services to meet the challenges of a new era of global competition.

Author: Eric Hansen
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1439879273
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 480

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Book Description
Changes in production, demand, supply, and trade patterns; the impact of green building and bioenergy on industry practices and policy infrastructure; and new economies with production advantages and large consumption bases all present challenges and opportunities in the forest sector. With contributions from leading experts in academia and professional organizations, The Global Forest Sector: Changes, Practices, and Prospects fills a gap in the literature that is preventing students, scholars, and policy makers from developing a timely, structured, big-picture view of forest sector business. In addition, the book reviews current thinking on a wide variety of business management issues in the forest sector. The book covers managing change in the global forest sector and the impact of globalization on forest users. It discusses markets and market forces, new products and product categories, and the influence of China and Russia. The book then examines the environmental paradigm, including environmental activism, sustainability, and the impact of green building and bioenergy. The book concludes with coverage of the role of information technology, corporate social responsibility, innovation, and next steps. Overall, this book helps readers both develop a bird’s eye view of the changes surrounding the forest sector as well as have a magnified view of numerous managerial issues associated with these changes. The content paints a picture of the current and changing forest sector including the state of forests, the nature of markets, the newly emerged patterns of stakeholder impact, and evolution of key business practices. It provides the foundation needed to develop the conservation-based economy required for future success in the global forest sector.

Author: Yongxiang Lu
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811535035
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 255

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Book Description
With the implementation of the strategic plan “Made in China 2025” as its guideline and “the study of formulation of executive summary of innovative design in the manufacturing industry” as the main theme, this book provides an in-depth interpretation of innovative design from three perspectives – why, what and how. Chapter One, “The Necessity of Developing Innovative Design,” focuses on why innovative design should be developed, and Chapter Two, “Concept And Connotation of Innovative Design,” explains what innovative design is, while Chapters Three to Seven systematically and comprehensively discuss how to develop innovative design and how to improve innovative design skills in various contexts, including key industries, business, personnel training, platform building, and supporting measures. Lastly, Chapter Eight “Cases of Innovative Design” explores the value of innovative design and innovative design-driven industrial transformation. By analyzing several design-driven companies, such as China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation, Haier Group and GAG Trumpchi, and the role of corporate innovative development as well as typical examples of major innovative design projects, it offers readers insights and inspiration.

Author: Xiaobo Wu
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9811224803
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
Innovation studies have long been confined to the theoretical system established by the scholars of developed countries in the West. It is difficult to use these studies to understand the real nature and law of technological innovation in developing countries. This book, in an innovative manner, studies the theoretical system of secondary innovation, and reveals the evolution law and dynamic innovation mode of the activities carried out by technologically backward countries. It does so by laying an important foundation for the development of management science theory on the basis of the standpoint and characteristics of developing countries.

Author: Byoungho Ellie Jin
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1137523522
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 139

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Book Description
Process innovations - an improved way of doing things – help firms achieve higher-level performance by reducing the time and cost to produce a product or perform a service, and increasing productivity and growth. This book provides a comprehensive examination of process innovations occurring in the global fashion industry, with a focus on fashion brands from USA, Italy, and Japan. It offers practical insights for enhancing efficiency in the supply chain as well as management process such as work routines, information flow, and organization structures. Using case analyses, this book will help readers to grasp how successful fashion companies optimize their operations and advance their competitive position by integrating process innovations into their supply chain and management systems.

Author: Charlotte Fiell
Publisher: Laurence King Publishing
ISBN: 9781786274922
Category : Design
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Contemporary Chinese Furniture Design is the first definitive book on contemporary Chinese furniture, introducing the work of leading designers and design studios, including Chen Darui, Jerry Chen, Frank Chou, Hou Zheng–Guang, Hong Wei, Ma Yansong, Neri & Hu, Shao Fan, Shang Xia, Song Tao, Studio MVW, Xiao Tianyu and Zhang Zhoujie. It explains how the 'New Wave' of Chinese furniture designers are looking back to their cultural roots and revitalizing traditional forms, materials and techniques in order to produce interesting and exciting contemporary furniture that is 100% Chinese. The first definitive book on contemporary Chinese furniture design, which includes not only an in–depth analysis of historic Chinese furniture design in its introduction, but importantly relates the past to what is happening now in Chinese furniture design. Includes individual entries, many based on in–depth interviews with leading figures within the Chinese furniture design, that provide insightful personal perspectives on the rapid evolution of Chinese furniture design over the last decade or so. The publication of this book marks the twenty–fifth anniversary of the Furniture China expo. "Featuring over 400 exemplary works representative of the new wave of creativity in modern Chinese furniture design. Channeling the spirit of the Song and Ming dynasties, as well as other Chinese styles and themes, the designs express a 21st Century Sinocentric national romanticism." – China.org.cn An excerpt from the book: "Since the mid–1990s a definable movement in contemporary Chinese furniture design has been growing and evolving, and has now reached such creative critical mass that it is possible to speak of it enjoying a 'moment'. The publication of this book is intended to share this remarkable design story with the wider world, while introducing the work and ideas of its leading protagonists. The exceptional quality and innovation of the furniture associated with what has already become known as 'New Chinese Design' will undoubtedly set in motion a significant reappraisal of contemporary Chinese design in general. But what is more, this extraordinary development may initiate the tipping of the balance of international design influence from West to East, such is its astonishing creative vitality and snowballing momentum."