Introduction

The North East Asia Institute was established in 2004, within the Department of Management as new Business School venture to focus on pure and applied research linkages in New Zealand and China (New Zealand's major economic partner).

Research undertaken by the Institute aims to enhance our capabilities at a level of policy formation, practitioner education and research, through building and sustaining long-term relationships in the Asian region and to increase our understanding of the Asian business environment

"The underlying intention of AI and this research is to build strong cooperative links with our researchers in China so that we can continue research which contributes to commercial development," says Dr Cone.

The Institute is spearheaded by the foundation Director Dr Malcolm Cone. Dr Cone of the School of Business' Department of Management began a series of research projects in China in the late 1990s. The Department has developed extensive institutional links in China and a regular interchange of staff and students takes place. The Institute comprises researchers from several universities in New Zealand, Asia and the University of Otago's School of Business. The Institute is guided by a board of advisors comprising members from the University of Otago's School of Business, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Investment New Zealand and prominent Chinese business people.

It is well known that Asia is becoming New Zealand's most important region in terms of economic significance. China is undergoing an economic, political and social transformation that has reinvigorated the Japanese economy and is adding to Korea's strategic significance as a technological and cultural broker between these two East Asian giants. It has, in the economy of China, the fastest growing and largest market in the world. China is now the growth hub of the world having replaced the United States as the engine of growth in the world economy.

It is important for New Zealand's future well being, that we build our capability in this region so as to secure our future position in the Asia Pacific region.

China - New Zealand's major economic partner

• China is a major source of imports to New Zealand and hence places a competitive pressure on New Zealand enterprises.
• It is a major market for New Zealand exports, but often only as commodities.
• New Zealand faces a challenge to learn how to engage with the rapidly developing economic and technological powerhouse that is constituted by Asia.

The road ahead

For New Zealand to enhance its position, an improved understanding of the nature of the Asian environment is needed however, feedback from both New Zealand practitioners and delegates from East Asia suggests that in New Zealand there is insufficient understanding of the status and influence of these Asian economies, markets and cultures. This situation, if it continues, may well spell real difficulties for New Zealand in its efforts to integrate itself effectively into this region.

The Institute's role

The Institute will enhance our capabilities at the level of policy formation, practitioner education and research, in building and sustaining long-term relationships in the Asian region. AI aims to establish a better understanding in New Zealand of what it means to compete in Asia and increase our understanding of the Asian business environment.

In addition, AI will, where possible, act as a conduit for developing relationships between businesses and partners in the Asian region, and New Zealand enterprises.

Members

Membership of the Institute is based on research activity in Asia. Members have been drawn from existing networks of researchers at the University of Otago and other Universities in New Zealand and Asia with whom the School of Business has current active research links.

Board of Advisors

AI is guided by a Board comprising members from the University and industry. Current board members include:

• Associate Professor Graham Elkin - Department of Management, School of Business

• Mr Paul Frater, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
• Mr Peter Ryan, Investment New Zealand
• Professor George Benwell, Dean, School of Business
• Dr Malcolm Cone, Department of Management, School of Business and Director of AI (pictured right)
• Deng Chen, Project Co-ordinator.
• Professor Zhilong Tian, Professor of Strategic Management and Marketing, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
• Associate Professor Yingtong Guo, Faculty of Economics, Jilin University, Changchung, China.
• Associate Professor Sunil Ashra, Management Development Institute, Gurgoan, Delhi.

Partners

• Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
• Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
• Huazhong University (HUST), Wuhan, China

Media

The Asia Institute is pleased to be affiliated with Metis Films, a small documentary film company based in Dunedin, New Zealand. Together we have produced several documentary DVDs as key component of the bridge building objectives of the Institute.

Location

AI is based at the School of Business, University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand.

For any further enquiries, please contact the Institute's staff: 

Asia Institute
c/o Department of Management
University of Otago
PO Box 56
Dunedin
New Zealand 

Tel 64 3 479 8130
Fax 64 3 479 8173
Email ai@business.otago.ac.nz