The Research Center for Chinese Enterprise Strategic Management Research at South China University of Technology (hereinafter referred to as the Center) was originally establishedin 1990. In December 2003, it was approved as a key research base for humanities and social sciences in Guangdong Province's regular institutions of higher education. Subsequently, in 2004, the Center was included in the Ministry of Education's 985 Project innovation research base for philosophy and social sciences, known as the Institute of New Industrialization Development. Professor Lan Hailin serves as the director of the Center. It has gathered over ten outstanding talents specializing in enterprise strategic management, forming a well-structured and dynamic research team.
Adhering to the principle of integrating teaching with research, and combining theoretical studies with societal services, the Center focuses on issues related to enterprise strategic management during specific stages of China's socio-economic development. It has undertaken two key projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation, three major projects from the Ministry of Education's Philosophy and Social Sciences Research Program, ten general projects from the National Natural Science Foundation, six projects from the National Social Science Foundation, and more than forty provincial-level projects.
Innovative achievements have been made in the study of strategic management behavior during China's transition period. The Research Series on Chinese Enterprise Strategy Management has published over twenty volumes and received first, second, and third prizes from the Ministry of Education's Outstanding Achievement Awards (Humanities and Social Sciences) as well as similar accolades from Guangdong Province. By grasping the forefront of disciplinary development and addressing significant management practices, the Center continuously contributes to society through theoretical innovations grounded in the Chinese context. Since 1994, it has cooperated with relevant departments of the Guangdong provincial government on various management practices including promoting the reform of state-owned enterprise property rights, developing large enterprise groups, nurturing multinational enterprises, optimizing industrial structures, and facilitating the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing industries, providing policy consulting services. Furthermore, the Center has guided more than forty enterprises in formulating development or restructuring strategies, such as China International Marine Containers (CIMC Group), Guangzhou Automobile Group, Guangdong Xinbao Electrical Appliances Holdings Co., Ltd., Shangpin Home Collection Group, Guangzhou Baiyun Electric Equipment Co., Ltd., WALOVI, among others. These social service projects have been highly praised and recognized, generating significant economic benefits.
Under the leadership of academic discipline leader Professor Lan Hailin, through the conduct of various research projects and social service activities, the Center's research level and academic standing have continued to rise. The research team is considered one of the most important in the field of enterprise strategic management in China.
