Special Issue on Chinese Investments in Africa

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to Africa contribute as much as 29% to the continent’s capital. FDI to Africa peaked in 2008, but then fell approximately 36% in 2009. China’s growing desire for overseas investment has positioned China as a major player in the world among outward investors. In addition to this trend, Chinese firms such as China Mineral and Metal Corporation, Sinochem, Lenovo and Huawei Technology are completing global acquisition projects with the support of the Chinese government’s Going Global Strategy. Global observer-analysts comment that the reasons for the increase of Chinese investments in African countries stems from China’s global economic strategy, shaped by its political objectives and its demand for energy, minerals and other natural resources. A number of critical questions remain unanswered regarding the further development of the Chinese global economy and Chinese firms’ strategies abroad. This special issue hopes to explore some of them, including:

• What are the regional and sectoral trends of Chinese Outward Direct Investment (ODI) in Africa?
• What is the ownership structure of Chinese firms' ODI?
• What are the challenges and opportunities for Chinese firms resulting from China’s Going Global Strategy?
• What role does the Chinese government play in Chinese firms’ ODI in Africa?
• What are the impacts of African local institutions on ODI?
• What roles do international organizations (e.g., UNCTAD, IMF, etc.) play in Chinese firms’ ODI in Africa?
• What are the styles of management and governance of Chinese firms' overseas operations?
• What impact do Chinese firms have on African business and development?

Topical areas include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Chinese ODI in Africa
• Internationalization strategy of Chinese firms in Africa
• Organizational culture and management of Chinese firms in Africa
• Foreign policy of China in Africa
• Immigration and overseas Chinese in Africa
• Environmental concerns and sustainable development related to Chinese investments in Africa
• Human resources management (expatriates as well as employees) by Chinese firms in Africa
• Chinese ODI in Africa and local political linkage
• Policy implications of the inflow of Chinese FDI to Africa.

Papers for the Special Issue should be submitted to jab@athabascau.ca, weix@macewan.ca, and zhaox@slu.edu by December 15, 2011, with a covering letter indicating that the paper is for the Special Issue. A guide for authors, sample copies and other relevant information for submitting papers is available at:
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~content=t792306882
The upcoming International Academy of African Business and Development Conference to be held in May 2011 in Edmonton will have a track on this subject. Papers submitted to this track will be considered for publication in this Special Issue. Details about the conference are available at: http://iaabd2011.athabascau.ca/tracks.php

All enquiries regarding the special issue should be sent to: Dr. William X. Wei, phone: 780-633-3535, weix@macewan.ca and Dr. Hongxin Zhao, phone: 314-977-3834, zhaox@slu.edu.