Subnational managerial transformation and the post-WTO-accession business environment in China: Shanghai perspectives

The market-oriented perspectives held by managers of China's municipal government agencies and urban enterprises constitute critical variables in the business environment encountered by foreign investors. A study of 426 predominantly subnational managers in Shanghai found most study participants generally positively inclined toward implementing accession-related reforms and toward market-oriented developments. The study also revealed a surging interest in careers with foreign-affiliated entities and widespread preference for incentives that give foreign-invested firms a competitive hiring and retention advantage over domestic, especially state, establishments. The overall results suggest the transformation of subnational managerial orientations in a direction that is conducive for foreign participation in Shanghai's postaccession economy.