Contributing to modern day discussions on globalization, this is the first book in English that applies the theories of big business, catch up and state intervention to the Chinese brewing industry.

From the 1970s to the 1990s, China implemented a wide array of industrial policies to build up indigenous big business groups in their attempts to ‘catch-up’ with the industries of the developed world. With its entry into the WTO, China is under huge pressure to pursue the market-friendly policies advocated by the advanced economies. This is the first book in English that applies the theories of big business, catch-up and state intervention to the Chinese brewing industry. Having gathered first-hand research in China, Yuantao Guo analyzes the relationship between big business, competition and state intervention in the context of developing economies, demonstrating the implications of the industrial concentration and value chain integration of the global big business revolution for catch-up by developing world industries, considering to what extent state intervention can allow them to meet the competitive challenge. Examining these themes in relation to the Chinese brewing industry, Yuantao Guo uses detailed case studies of the Yanjing and Tsingtao breweries in order to detail the struggles that Chinese brewers have faced. This book makes a significant contribution to modern day discussions on globalization.

ÔThis book describes a number of different empirical studies and evaluations of the international brewery industry. This industry has recently undergone two climactic changes within a ten to fifteen year time period. These are a significant industry-wide consolidation of firms and market shares accompanied by the internationalization of what was previously a largely local industry. Understanding the drivers and implications of such abrupt and massive change in the competitive environment of an industry is of great interest to international and strategic management scholars. Most of the bookÕs chapters address this issue, some at the global industry level, some at a regional level, and some at the level of a specific country. Taken together, they comprise an insightful case study of an interesting industry at its most interesting point in time.Õ Ð William G. Egelhoff, Fordham University, US ÔThe individual contributions in this volume paint a varied and rich picture of strategies and rivalries, the role of environments and institutions, leadership and also customer approaches in both global and local brewery industry. Some of the analysed phenomena are more standard to an IB audience, like consolidation, technological development, and shifts in global markets, but they get a specific flavor and color through this industry focus, while other topics definitely seem more specific (like ÒBierstrasseÓ on Mallorca). For readers with good taste.Õ Ð Rian Drogendijk, Uppsala University, Sweden This unique book explores some of the key topics of international business through the context of a global industry, focusing on the challenges brewery companies face as they operate in globalized markets. It examines the strategies of individual firms to develop markets and explores new insights into recent company rivalries, both globally and locally. In addition, it offers detailed analysis of some of the major players in the industry through longitudinal studies. Drawing on a range of perspectives, the contributing authors explore six overarching themes: international market developments and firm performance; host country institutional effects; multi-point competition and rivalries; cross-border M&A integration and subsidiary development; leadership and internationalization; and boundless customer interfaces through such elements as social media and tourism. The Global Brewery Industry will prove insightful for scholars across international business, as well as providing an appealing case study for advanced students. It will be invaluable to those investigating the brewery sector specifically, or working with brewing firms.

Institutions and ownership play a central role in the transformation and development of the beer market and brewing industry. Institutions set the external environment of the brewery through both formal requirements and informal acceptance of company operations by the public. On the other hand, owners and managers adapt to these external challenges while following their own strategic agenda. This book explores the implications of this dynamic for the breweries, discussing how changes in institutions have contributed to the restructuring of the industry and the ways in which breweries have responded, including a craft beer revolution with a surge in demand of special flowered hops, a globalization strategy from the macro breweries, outsourcing by contract brewing, and knowledge exchange for small sized breweries. Structured in two parts, with a focus on institutions (Part I) and ownership (Part II) respectively, this book examines the link between institutions and governance in one of the most dynamic and innovative industries.

Chambers, Nuangjamnong, and their contributors look at how the development of the beer industry in East Asia presents a unique opportunity for understanding the region’s political economy. Asia is both the world’s largest beer-consuming and beer-producing region, and the fastest growing beer market. Per-capita consumption is lower than Europe, but catching up fast. Beer consumption is also widely understood to correlate closely with economic growth and urbanization, much more so than other alcoholic beverages like spirits. With ten country case studies from both Northeast and Southeast Asia, the contributors to this volume look at the history of beer production and consumption across East Asia through a lens of historical institutionalism and political economy. In doing so they not only examine the development of the beer industry in the region but also what it tells us about the countries themselves. They ask questions such as: To what extent have state versus societal actors influenced the path of beer production? How has beer production changed? Was there a critical juncture at which beer production abruptly changed course? A valuable resource for students and scholars of modern East Asian History, and particularly those with a focus on colonial history, industrial history, and state-society relations.

China has achieved remarkable, sustained economic growth under the policies of ‘reform and opening up’ put into place since the late 1970s. China’s industrial policies have nurtured a large group of firms with high profits and a high market capitalisation. However, few people in the West can name a single Chinese firm. During the modern era of capitalist globalisation firms from the high income countries have spread their business systems across the world. This has presented a profound challenge for industrial policy in developing countries, including even China, the world’s second largest economy. China is unique among large latecomer developing countries in having reached the position of being a huge, fast-growing economy, with a tremendous impact on the rest of the world, but lacking a substantial group of globally competitive firms. This volume explores this paradox. Fully understanding the industrial policy challenge that the era of capitalist globalisation has produced for China is essential for harmonious international relations.