China goes global

<h>Roland Berger China</h> has launched a business contest not unlike 'Best of European Business.' The focus of the competition is to recognize outstanding Chinese firms doing business overseas.

The "Most Globally Competitive Chinese Companies" Award recognizes the achievements of Chinese companies abroad. By launching this competition in China in 2006, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants aims to spur a discussion on how companies can prepare their global expansion strategically and highlight best practice examples.

The consultancy has partnered with "Global Entrepreneur," a leading publication on questions addressed in the competition. The magazine published a ranking of the most competitive global companies in China in 2006, which was widely discussed by business leaders. Building on this interest, the consulting company has analyzed publicly available data from a total of 200 companies doing business overseas, in Europe and the United States. Companies were evaluated along three dimensions and their performance assessed based on eight criteria. Analysts looked at overall business performance, sustainable competitiveness and company culture in a first step, before rating factors such as overseas business development, investment performance, R&D capability and social responsibility.

A short list of 50 companies was identified and presented to the media in a press conference in February 2007.