CEIBS develops mainland executives into global leaders

Since it first threw its doors open in 1978, China has seen a growth unparalled in economic history. For more than 30 years, the country achieved an annual average GDP growth of 10 per cent, first becoming the world’s number one manufacturing base and preferred destination for foreign investment, then itself becoming an investor worldwide.

In line with this rapid development, the country’s human resources needs and education requirements were changing fast. The first task was simply to catch up with the number of university graduates needed and then develop a knowledgeable business leadership base and mid-level managers to support them.

China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), which this year is celebrating its 20th year in China, has been closely following the changes in students’ needs.

“For years, students listened to western management practices and carefully took notes,” says Arthur Yeung, Philips chair professor of human resource management at CEIBS. “Lately they challenge [the theories] and wonder if they are workable in China, which is at a different stage of economic development, with a different political culture and a planned economy.”

Today, mainland firms are encouraged to venture abroad and leverage their resources by investing outside of the country, creating the need for yet another type of business leader – one with knowledge of the global economic system.

“China has two M’s: money – low cost capital and low cost loan; and market opportunities – although not top tier, but rather in the middle to low end of the market. Firms are encouraged to go outside to leverage their resources. The talent they need is very different, the game is very different,” Yeung says.