Kristoffer Jensen (The Danish Museum of Industry and University of Southern Denmark) “Conflicting interests? – Danish manufacturing in China today and the challenge to be both competitive and true to company tradition"

Centre for Business History – Seminar

Kristoffer Jensen, PhD (The Danish Museum of Industry and University of Southern Denmark)

“Conflicting interests? – Danish manufacturing in China today and the challenge to be both competitive and true to company tradition"

Danish manufacturing firms have like their western competitors invested
heavily in China during the recent wave of globalisation in order to establish
Chinese production-oriented subsidiaries.
Based on Joanne Martins three perspectives on organizational culture this
paper explores through interviews with executive and middle level managers at
Grundfos and Maersk Container Industry at their Danish headquarters and
their affiliates in China how Danish firms today navigate in the tension between
a proud Danish heritage and an increasing need to compete head on with fast
growing Chinese competitors.