Strengthening civic and business relationships between China and the UK

Impact: 08: Decent Work and Economic Growth (UN SDG), 09: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (UN SDG), 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (UN SDG)

Description of impact

Insights developed from our research have helped to raise awareness of the complex, intertwined power, cultural, institutional and communication factors in cross-border relationship building. It has also assisted businesses and local authorities and businesses in both countries in their relationship management.

The research findings have been shared, via workshops, with businesses and local authorities in order to raise their awareness of the complex intertwined factors in cross-border relationship building. Insights from the research have been put into practice by the China and Emerging Economies Centre and enabled businesses and local authorities to be more effective in their engagement with their partners in the other country.

Stakeholders/Beneficiaries

local authorities and businesses in the UK and China

How have research outputs led to this impact?

Local authorities and businesses in the UK and China have been increasingly engaged with each other since the beginning of the 21st century as evidenced in surging number of civic twinning relations and investment between the two countries. The relationship building exercise, however, is extremely challenging as the underlying power, institutional, cultural and communication factors often intermesh with one another. Our research sheds light on the interaction of the aforementioned factors and their impact on the relationship between Chinese firms and their partners in the UK.
Impact statusOngoing
Category of impact08: Decent Work and Economic Growth (UN SDG), 09: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (UN SDG), 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (UN SDG)