Contractual Relations, Foreign Direct Investment, and Technology Transfer: The Case of China

Author

Hing-Man LEUNG, Singapore Management UniversityFollow
John T. THOBURN, University of East Anglia
Esther CHAU, Hong Kong Baptist University
S. H. TANG, Hong Kong Baptist University

Publication Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-1991

Abstract

This paper discusses in terms of transactions costs how foreign investors choose contractual forms. It argues that the unusually wide choice of contracts available in China can be shown roughly to correspond to varying degrees of within-firm governance. Other factors, particularly locational choice within China, contribute to reducing the scope for opportunism on the part of the host country where a well-enforced legal framework is lacking. Technology transfer is rendered more complex by the importance of team organization in the technology on offer from firms from Hong Kong, the largest foreign investor.

Discipline

Asian Studies | Economics | International Economics

Research Areas

Applied Microeconomics

Publication

Journal of International Development

Volume

3

Issue

3

First Page

277

Last Page

291

ISSN

0954-1748

Identifier

10.1002/jid.4010030307

Publisher

Wiley

Citation

LEUNG, Hing-Man; THOBURN, John T.; CHAU, Esther; and TANG, S. H.. Contractual Relations, Foreign Direct Investment, and Technology Transfer: The Case of China. (1991). Journal of International Development. 3, (3), 277-291.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soe_research/408

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.4010030307