Springer Scientific Book Series: China Competence for Researchers Published

For the Federal Minister of Research Professor Johanna Wanka and her Ministry, the cooperation with China is an “inevitable opportunity”. China is highly committed to promoting scientific excellence. Therefore, research collaborations with China are becoming ever more important. Successful cooperation with Chinese researchers requires, however, careful preparation. To this end, Barbara Hey and Manuel Lauer from the ZEW Service Department “Knowledge Transfer and Qualification Programmes” have compiled a China compendium published by Springer as part of the “essentials” book series. The newly published essential „China-Kompetenz für Wissenschaftler“ (“China Competence for Researchers”) aims to provide researchers with country-specific socio- and intercultural knowledge that is crucial for research collaborations.

On the basis of ZEW Seminars and coaching sessions that aim to prepare German researchers for the cooperation with Chinese scientists and companies, the two experienced ZEW trainers Hey and Lauer have published a book, which offers insights into the different ways of conducting research as well as into the differences in expectations and in the basic attitudes and behaviour of the Chinese. The goal of this publication is to provide country-specific knowledge in order to support researchers over the course of their research stays in China and facilitate intercultural cooperation. “China Competence for Researchers” also helps readers to familiarise themselves with the Chinese institutional and political environment. Furthermore, the book contains a number of, for instance, practical tips, which allow readers to anticipate as well as understand unexpected behaviour in research collaborations.  The newly published compendium also features historical and societal aspects of Chinese culture, which continue to shape the private and working life of the Chinese.