China's Industrial State-owned Enterprises Between Profitability and Bankruptcy

Book excerpt: After decades of declining profitability, China's industrial state-owned enterprises appear to be obsolete. This book utilizes extensive data and quantitative as well as qualitative analyses to examine the reasons for the decline in the profitability of these industrial state-owned enterprises, to determine their current profitability patterns across various dimensions, and to account for profitability gaps between these enterprises and those managed under other ownership forms. China's recent enterprise reform measures are also evaluated. A differentiated picture emerges that clarifies past developments and illuminates future prospects of the reform of industrial state-owned enterprises in China.