Companies are organisations whose performance is influenced by the institutional environment. This environment is composed of several institutional elements, which impact the performance of...Show moreCompanies are organisations whose performance is influenced by the institutional environment. This environment is composed of several institutional elements, which impact the performance of businesses. The case study of this thesis compares the financial and operational performance of nine Indian and twenty-four Chinese airlines between 2010 and 2015. By means of a thorough and extensive data collection, it has been found that Indian airlines perform more on-time than their Chinese peers, whilst Chinese carriers tend to exhibit a more solid financial performance. The underlying causes for these outcomes are subsequently investigated through a newspaper review, which brought several institutional elements to the limelight, that can largely explicate the divergences in performance. The identified elements range from modes of decision making and legal elements to government affiliation and policy, which are analysed in detail.Show less
The unprecedented growth of the Chinese economy was mainly featured by rapidly augmenting exports, which were partly enabled by a beneficial currency valuation of China’s domestic currency, the...Show moreThe unprecedented growth of the Chinese economy was mainly featured by rapidly augmenting exports, which were partly enabled by a beneficial currency valuation of China’s domestic currency, the renminbi (RMB), during the turn of the 21st century. However, along with the liberalization of the Chinese market economy, especially after China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), agricultural producers were faced with increasing foreign competition as well as ceasing product protection. One question that arises is whether the currency undervaluation enabled the agricultural producers to maintain their competitiveness despite their abrupt confrontation with market exposure. Another question that arises is whether the currency undervaluation enabled the agricultural producers’ to increase their outputs, in light of the opportunities engendered by market liberalization. In other words, in this thesis, I will examine the extent to which agricultural producers benefited from the renminbi undervaluation during the turn of the 21st century.Show less
Unlike the nineteenth century, the competition for power in Eurasia is increasingly fought between Russia and China. In turn, according to the prevailing neorealist discourse, these powers compete...Show moreUnlike the nineteenth century, the competition for power in Eurasia is increasingly fought between Russia and China. In turn, according to the prevailing neorealist discourse, these powers compete for security and economic influence in what is referred to as ‘the New Great Game’. In recent years, China is seen to increasingly tilt the balance of power from Moscow’s traditional sphere of influence towards Beijing – especially in the economic realm – with Russia attempting to retain its hegemonic position. Accordingly, a pressing question is what implications the spillover of this competition for hegemony in Central Asia has for Sino-Russian relations in the region’s most important multilateral organisation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. In this thesis the above query is assessed by three schools of thought: limitationism, alarmism and normalism. In scholarly discourse limitationist and alarmist discourses have been prevalent, but not entirely convincing, discussing the implications of the New Great Game on the SCO leadership. They have generally emphasised (and polarised) either the cooperative or the competitive nature of Sino-Russian relations in Central Asia’s and the SCO’s New Great Game scenario respectively. Conversely, the framework on which this thesis’ explanation of the Sino-Russian relations in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is based, is the altering balance of power, combined with dual cooperative and competitive Sino-Russian relations in Central Asia, as discerned by ‘normalists’. It can be concluded that analogous to their simultaneous converging and diverging interests in Central Asia at large, Sino-Russian relations in the SCO should be regarded as practical interrelations based on ‘complex reciprocity’ (Yu 2007, 79). They are a tacit compromise to, ultimately, let the SCO function as an satisfactory diplomatic forum where Moscow and Beijing can regulate the New Great Game: their relations in CA, China’s rise and Moscow’s traditional sphere of influence.Show less
Internal migration in China has created a serious problem that has been identified by many scholars and policy makers for decades. The Chinese government attempts to restrict migration flow through...Show moreInternal migration in China has created a serious problem that has been identified by many scholars and policy makers for decades. The Chinese government attempts to restrict migration flow through a policy called ‘hukou’ that in its simplest form ties individuals to accessing public services only in one registered location meaning agricultural hukou type people can find moving to urban areas extremely difficult; ultimately creating a dualistic society within China and the policy has led to massive displacement and discrimination of one fifth of the population. Given the controversial and discriminatory nature of hukou, this paper will analyse why the Chinese government would choose to continue to implement such a policy and how through hukou’s implementation, the Chinese leadership is able to maintain domestic stability and have it contribute to their continued legitimacy through success in the fields of economic prosperity, social stability and national unity. The paper will examine both the economic and political benefits of hukou and the reasons why this may affect the decision to reform the policy.Show less
This paper is aimed at two interrelated objectives. Firstly, it explores the shaping of India’s perception and misperception of China using the asymmetry theory. Secondly, it relates these insights...Show moreThis paper is aimed at two interrelated objectives. Firstly, it explores the shaping of India’s perception and misperception of China using the asymmetry theory. Secondly, it relates these insights to India’s behavior towards China-led developmentalism, the Belt & Road initiative, showing that India’s reluctance to be part of China’s initiative is rooted in mistrust, misinterpretations of information, and a lack of information. Ever since the deterioration of the Sino-Indian relationship due to the border war, India has established a deep-rooted distrust of China, which affects how new information regarding China is evaluated. It is therefore likely that misperceptions emerge. The asymmetric relationship between China and India amplifies the misinterpretation of information due to the vast difference in attention span. Further reasons for the emerging of misperceptions can be seen in historical memory and a lack of day-to-day interaction.Show less
The recent years have seen a rise in the interest and media coverage concerning the housing markets in Hong Kong and Singapore. Both cities are routinely ranked as some of the most expensive...Show moreThe recent years have seen a rise in the interest and media coverage concerning the housing markets in Hong Kong and Singapore. Both cities are routinely ranked as some of the most expensive property markets internationally, and have thus been the subject of significant comparison. This is often done on the basis of the two cities sharing commonalities in history and the situations of their housing markets, but in doing so, these comparisons negate the influences that the political environments over the course of history have had on the two governments' approaches to housing policy. In particular, the two governments operate from very different perspectives, as this paper will demonstrate with the use of theoretical frameworks concerning international political order and political economy. Drawing on research into the historical and political trajectories of the two cities with specific regards to housing development, this paper aims to identify the political influences on the history and approaches to housing development in Hong Kong and Singapore that are overlooked in much of the coverage and comparisons employed today.Show less
