Research On The Network Evolution And Building Mechanism In The Internationalization Process Of Chinese Enterprises

With deepening globalization and improving ICT and transport technology global enterprise networks are in shape, and contact between enterprises becomes closer. The networks are dividing, reconstructing, and evolving during closer enterprises’contact and push economic development and globalization forward. No matter motivated by new opportunities or resources, challenged by risk or threat, any enterprise, ready or not, if ambitious, can’t deny the being of global networks, and will involve itself into the networks inevitably. They will have to position themselves well in the international markets and business networks, and benefit from them. Therefore, Enterprise international networks, are the ones that Chinese enterprises have to give enough attention to.This study focuses on the construction and evolution of enterprise networks during Chinese companies’ going global process. Based on sample cases of six globalized Chinese companies, we conduct in-depth analysis from three aspects, the features and patterns of networks in phases of evolution; the driven forces of network evolution, and the construction mechanism of international networks. Case study is a generally accepted research method for "Why" and "How" topics, especially for process study. And in this study, cross-case method is adopted to analyze six sample enterprises with10to30years’internalization experience.The value of this research is to a) figure out the features and patterns of Chinese enterprises’internationalization and network evolution in global practices; b) enrich networking theories by liberating two paths and driven mechanism of Chinese enterprises’network evolution under international scope; c)discuss the network construction mechanism in internalization, for the reference of proactive networking study. On a practical perspective, this study is expected to offer guiding significance for Chinese enterprises’international practices.The innovation of this study lies in1) the evolution model, deeply rooted and tightly in accordance with Chinese enterprises’conditions, is built to present the the behaviors and features in the internationalization process.2) an evolution mechanism of ’Network Development-International Knowledge Acquisition-International Growth" is proposed.3) Network evolution paths are classified in a new way based on the combined research perspective of structural and relational dimension, and the driven forces behind the evolution paths are discussed.4) Based on adaptive selection theory and collaborative evolution theory, a new construction mechanism of enterprise network in internationalization process is posed.This research is humbly prospected to inspire Chinese enterprises in international practices. First, International networking has been a must for enterprises going global, Chinese enterprises should involve themselves actively in international industrial/business/social and strategic networks. Second, more acquisition and accumulation of international knowledge should be prepared in the construction and development of international network. Third, an advisably network evolution path should be decided under careful consideration and on the basis of enterprise’s international position and practices, for the subsequent evolution is dependent on the chosen path. Forth, the construction of enterprise network is important in internationalization process and different phases need different construction policies.