Introduction

Article Type: Introduction From: Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Volume 17, Issue 6

ECAM Vol. 17 No. 6 is a special issue comprising five specially solicited papers around the theme of “Strategic management in construction in China”. The Guest Editors who were invited to assemble this issue are Charles Egbu of Salford University and Jun Ling Liu of Tianjin University. The authors of the papers in this issue either are Chinese or have strong connections with China.

China has just overtaken Japan as the world’s second largest economy. The importance of the Chinese economy is therefore well established. As we emerge from the recession precipitated by the banking crisis, China has shown strong growth and has led the way to recovery. When growth in the Chinese economy slows, even slightly, the Western Stock Markets falter. China’s strength in the recent banking crisis rests on the management of its banks and banking systems which did not acquire too many toxic debts, unlike the much less regulated banks in the West. The UK in particular suffered because of the high percentage the financial sector makes up in the economy in comparison with the UK’s manufacturing sector which is much reduced from previous economic downturns. Being over-dependent on an inadequately regulated financial sector with a weakened manufacturing base has seen the UK recovering but slowly. China is strong in manufacture and with a low cost base it is well capable of benefiting from export-led growth. Because of the strength of its economy China has been able to further develop its infrastructure and this has produced demands on the construction industry which have been at remarkable levels when compared with other economies. For all these reasons China is especially important to the development of the global construction industry.

This special issue aids the understanding of Chinese construction and provides lessons to be learned. This is a snapshot at this point in time. The development of Chinese construction and its contribution to the global industry are ongoing and I am sure we will return to the issues raised here and the issues that emerge over the next few years.

The Guest Editors have provided the editorial comment on the papers in ECAMVol. 17 No. 6.

Finally, as always, at this time of year I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our referees. Without their critical and constructive input, which is much appreciated, we would not be able to publish.

Ronald McCaffer