Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters in this book. The book describes the rising class into central focus, not only the more visible tycoon conglomerates but also the vast mass of small and medium family firms. It discusses the real and substantial economic achievements of the 'Asian miracle' and the role of Chinese business in increasingly knitting together a regional economy and creating a bridge between China and the world market. The book provides an overview of economic growth, regional interlinkages through trade and investment and the increasing autonomy and rising skills and technology of local actors. It argues that a sudden change in the balance, caused by rapidly increasing flows of hot money, produced a disjunctive at the interface and an escalating crisis. The book examines the role of transnational entrepreneurship in the management of crisis tendencies.