Strategies for Foreign Construction-Related Consultancy Firms to Improve Performance in China

Abstract

With China being a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), more foreign construction-related consultancy firms (foreign firms) are expected to operate in China. The aim of this research is to identify critical strategies and important practices that would improve a foreign firm’s project performance. The results show foreign firms need to adopt a combination of both Western (differentiation, cost leadership) and Eastern strategies (risk responsiveness, swiftness) in order to achieve a higher level of performance in China. Foreign firms may assess their likely performance using the developed and validated models. Some instruments/practices to improve performance in China are also offered.