HBR IdeaCast

What Business Leaders Need to Know About China Now

Jun 8, 2021

Elsbeth Johnson, a senior lecturer at MIT and founder of System Shift, teams up with Rana Mitter, an Oxford history professor, to unravel misconceptions about China. They emphasize that democracy and free markets aren't solely linked and that understanding China's unique political landscape is crucial for global business leaders. Their insights reveal how deep historical roots shape current decisions and how China's consumer economy is transforming rapidly. By encouraging cultural immersion, they advocate for a more nuanced approach to engaging with this complex market.

26:12

Creator website

Episode guests

Rana Mitter

Elsbeth Johnson

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Navigating China's Historical Landscape

9min

Competitive Benefits of Chinese Economic Structure

4min

China's Consumer Economy Transformation

11min

Immersing in Chinese Culture for Deeper Understanding

3min

Elsbeth Johnson, senior lecturer at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, and Rana Mitter, professor of history at Oxford, argue that there's a lot about the Chinese political system and economy that business leaders from elsewhere in the world still misunderstand. They argue that democracy and a free market system aren't always as tightly linked as we think, and that many people in China also live, work, and invest differently than Westerners do. Better understanding these dynamics will be the key to business success in the world's most populous country. Johnson and Mitter are the authors of the HBR article "What the West Gets Wrong About China."

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.