Emerging Best Practices of Chinese Globalizers

The report analyzes the transition of Chinese 'Globalizers' from basic economic contributions to a more comprehensive model of corporate global citizenship. It identifies a progression from philanthropy and compliance to social responsibility and social entrepreneurship, highlighting specific case studies in green technology, local employment, and infrastructure. The document argues that sustainable citizenship requires an intersection between a company's core strengths and social problems, rather than purely altruistic acts. Key challenges identified include a lack of transparency in reporting, a shortage of dedicated CSR talent, and a tendency to copy Western models rather than innovating. The report recommends that Chinese companies integrate citizenship into daily operations and that the Chinese government provide more flexibility and research support to foster a culture of innovation in overseas operations.

• Chinese companies have made significant economic contributions in foreign markets through job creation and tax payments; in 2010, they employed nearly 1 million people overseas, with 71% being local residents.
• The report defines a continuum of corporate citizenship: starting with baseline economic contributions and corporate governance (legal compliance), moving to corporate philanthropy, then social responsibility, and culminating in social entrepreneurship, where business innovation profitably addresses social needs.
• Environmental protection is the primary social responsibility issue for Chinese companies, with over 90% of the 95 sampled companies documenting energy-efficiency and emissions-reduction practices.
• Several companies have implemented specific 'win-win' initiatives: Sinochem used a full lifecycle Health Safety and Environment (HSE) system in the UAE to prevent pollutants; Chinalco invested over US$ 50 million in a water-treatment plant in Peru; and Trina Solar adopted a vertically integrated model to lower solar power costs.
• Corporate citizenship reporting among Chinese companies is inconsistent; as of 2011, approximately three-quarters of central government-controlled SOEs and listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges were not following reporting guidelines.
• Philanthropy in China is heavily skewed toward disaster relief and is often reactive; in 2009, enterprises contributed 59% of the total domestic donation of RMB 54.2 billion.
• There is a critical shortage of dedicated talent for social responsibility; only 43% of the sampled companies have a full-time team and resources dedicated to these efforts.
• A major obstacle to progress is the tendency of Chinese companies to rigidly copy Western 'best practices' rather than developing innovative solutions adapted to their own capabilities and local contexts.

APA

World Economic Forum (2012). Emerging Best Practices of Chinese Globalizers. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_EmergingBestPracticesChineseGlobalizers_IndustryAgenda_2012.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Emerging Best Practices of Chinese Globalizers. 2012. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_EmergingBestPracticesChineseGlobalizers_IndustryAgenda_2012.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Emerging Best Practices of Chinese Globalizers |date=2012 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_EmergingBestPracticesChineseGlobalizers_IndustryAgenda_2012.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2012emerging, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Emerging Best Practices of Chinese Globalizers}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2012}, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_EmergingBestPracticesChineseGlobalizers_IndustryAgenda_2012.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }