The image that media portrays today is that everyone has to go to China. Swedish companies go on a pilgrimage to China filled with dreams and new ideas (Askman, 2005).
Abstract
The interest in China today is enormous, and media talk about successful firms and entrepreneurs that engage in business with China. This positive image has created a general perception that China offers the moon and the stars for Swedish micro and small sized enterprises (MSEs). We still believe that there are many opportunities to extend or build business upon import from China. The purpose of this thesis is to identify the reasons for Swedish MSEs to engage in import from China, as well as recognizing the problems they experience….
Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Problem discussion
1.3 Purpose
1.4 Definitions
1.5 Delimitations
2 Methodology
2.1 Quantitative and Qualitative research
2.2 Inductive – deductive research
2.3 Data collection
2.3.1 Primary sources
2.3.1.1 Finding companies
2.3.1.2 Interviews
2.3.1.3 Validity and Reliability
2.3.2 Secondary sources
2.3.2.1 Criticism of selected secondary sources
3 Theoretical framework
3.1 Former research
3.2 Reasons to import
3.2.1.1 Push Factors
3.2.1.2 Pull Factors
3.2.1.3 Risk management
3.2.1.4 Imitation behaviour
3.3 Problems
3.3.1 Product quality
3.3.2 Finding appropriate suppliers
3.3.3 Culture
3.3.3.1 Power distance
3.3.3.2 Individualism versus collectivism
3.3.3.3 Long-term and Short-term orientation
3.3.4 Relationship & Guanxi
3.3.5 Language
3.4 Ways to handle problems
3.4.1 Step by step learning
3.4.2 External Assistance
3.4.2.1 Spirit of Gnosjö
3.4.3 Trial and error
3.4.4 Single and double loop learning
4 Empirical findings
4.1 Swede-Wheel
4.1.1 Background to import
4.1.2 Problems
4.1.3 Ways to handle problems
4.1.4 External assistance
4.1.5 Decision making
4.2 Falks Broker AB
4.2.1 Background to import
4.2.2 Problems
4.2.3 Ways to handle problems
4.2.4 External assistance
4.2.5 Decision making
4.3 Liljas Plast
4.3.1 Background to import
4.3.2 Problems
4.3.3 Ways to handle problems
4.3.4 External assistance
4.3.5 Decision making
4.4 Forsheda Stålverktyg AB
4.4.1 Background to import
4.4.2 Problems
4.4.3 Ways to handle problems
4.4.4 External assistance
4.4.5 Decision making
4.5 Uppman och Björkhag AB
4.5.1 Background to import
4.5.2 Problems
4.5.3 Ways to handle problems
4.5.4 External assistance
4.5.5 Decision making
4.6 Quickmatch Trading AB
4.6.1 Background to import
4.6.2 Problems
4.6.3 Ways to avoid problems
4.6.4 External assistance
4.6.5 Decision making
5 Analysis
5.1 Reasons to import
5.1.1 Push and Pull factors
5.1.2 Why China?
5.1.3 Risk management
5.2 Problems
5.2.1 Finding suitable suppliers
5.2.2 Quality
5.2.3 Delivery
5.2.4 Culture and behaviour
5.2.5 Language
5.3 Ways to avoid problems
5.3.1 Finding a suitable supplier
5.3.2 Quality/Delivery
5.3.3 Cultural issues/Language
6 Conclusion
6.1 Suggestions for further studies
References
7 Appendix – Interview model
Author: Davidsson, John,Hjerpe, Martin,Åke, Michael
Source: Jönköping University
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