LAS485 Contemporary Chinese Business and Management

Autumn Semester 2025/26

15 credits

Module Organiser: Dr Zhong Zhang (zhong.zhang@sheffield.ac.uk)

Overview

The objective of this module is to provide students with an understanding of China's business environment and how different types of business operate in China. While module content is academic rather than practical, this unit is designed to acquaint students with the Chinese business environment and practice and to inform them of issues and problems encountered by international businesses operating in China or doing business with the Chinese. Emphasis is on China’s business environment, business culture, firms operating in China, such as state-owned enterprises or private sector firms and their management issues, as well as foreign direct investment, financial markets. An understanding of these topics is highly relevant to companies targeting the China market and essential background for graduates seeking a career in East Asian business. While the course has an academic focus, in each session students are encouraged to develop business-related skills by examining the business environment in a more practical manner. This is done by for instance evaluating company’s annual reports or FDI entry modes as well as via assessing information in video and infographics to understand opportunities and challenges firms in China face today.

Topics Covered

• China's economic transition

• China's Business Environment

• Business organisations and governance

• SOE reform and governance

• Private sector development and management of private firms

• Foreign trade

• Inward FDI and market access by foreign business

• Consumer culture and marketing in China

• Financial market reform and development

Skills Development

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to demonstrate:

• Critical Ability

• Communication skills

• Teamwork

• Independent learning

• Economic literacy

• Knowledge

• Practical skills

Study Hours

The University recommends that you spend 150 hours working on a 15-credit module. This will include:

• Lecture: 20 hours

• Seminar: 10 hours

• Independent study hours: 100 hrs