2000 年 2 巻 p. 25-33
This paper is intended to clarify the characteristics and the limitations of strategies related to direct investment in the developing Chinese food market performed by Japanese food-processing firms.
The major findings the analyses are as follows:
(1) The analyses of corporation lists it has clarified that the motivations of Japanese firms for advancing into the Chinese market have been shifting from a resource-seeking stage, which is focused on securing raw materials and labor force, to an efficiency-seeking stage, which involves the reorganization of international production networks.
(2) The market internalization of Japanese firms formerly focused on the processing of raw materials. It has been revealed through analysis of case studies that, in their direct investment in China, Japanese food-processing firms are faced with price fluctuation risks in relation with the raw-material procurement process due to immature local food market systems. These risks can be overcome by the advantages derived from corporate ownership and the accumulation of specific management resources.
