Applied Research Area 1: Growth Strategies of Firms in China

Focus: Projects in this applied research area explore the strategies, processes, practices and capabilities of business leaders who have shown the ability to generate top-line growth beyond the core capabilities of their companies - on a sustained basis through innovations.

Context: Whereas organic growth through new product development is a worthwhile endeavor, in a fast-pacing and highly competitive environment, growth often comes from an ability to go beyond the core capabilities of the company to tap adjacent market opportunities. Beyond the core growth requires more than product innovation to include innovations in business models, creative alliances and partnership, creative value proposition management and courageous leadership. We are interested in understanding “beyond the core growth leaders” in China ? their backgrounds, capabilities, organizational processes and approaches used to achieve such growth.

Hypothesis: CMI believes that organizations and people who have led sustained beyond the core growth have special leadership characteristics and strategies along with ability to institute the right organizational processes for growth. By studying such growth leaders, their strategies and methods, we will be able to isolate valuable lessons about the nature and the effective conditions for beyond the growth strategies for corporate members.

Questions of Interest:
1. What are the characteristics of beyond-the-core growth organizations and their leaders?
2. How do they recognize and evaluate adjacent market opportunities?
3. What are the key strategic approaches used to take advantage of such opportunities?
4. What role does Chinese culture play in strategies for leading beyond the core growth?
5. What are the key internal challenges for managing beyond the core growth strategies?