Emerging Sino-European Corporate Elite Networks

Abstract

Chinese investments into Europe have been growing prodigiously in the past decade and are increasingly the subject of controversy. However, while a lot of empirical data and analysis are available on the flows and stocks of these investments, we still know very little about the loci of corporate power and control behind them. This article focuses on a domain where substantive power of decision making and control regarding these investments lies: corporate boards. The key aim is to assess how Chinese boards are relating to the existing European corporate elite networks by analysing the extent and nature of Sino-European corporate board interlocking by China's largest firms as a particular networking mode. Based on business listings and databases, and applying social network analysis in combination with qualitative analysis, the article highlights the contours of an emerging Sino-European corporate elite, revealing under-exposed areas of ongoing Sino-European collaboration whilst at the same time indicating a sphere of potential influence by Chinese business elites at the top of Europe's corporations.