OREANDA-NEWS. March 30, 2015. Thirty-six percent of China CEOs are ‘very confident’ of their company’s growth prospects over the next 12 months, down 11 percentage points from 2014. That is according to PwC’s 18th Annual Global CEO Survey - China Summary “Dealing with disruption - Thriving in China’s ‘new normal’”.

China CEOs are contemplating the effects of an economic rebalance, as well as the impact of global disruptive trends. Despite these challenges, it is not all doom and gloom. Almost 71% of China CEOs say there are more growth opportunities for their company now than there were three years ago. And 57% are planning to increase headcount in the next 12 months.

“China’s economy is rebalancing and is entering what is known as a ‘new normal’ phase. China’s CEOs have to work hard to find growth in a domestic economy that is undergoing a major transformation while the global economy is marked by dynamic and disruptive forces,” says David Wu, PwC China Beijing Senior Partner. “They are also right to recognise the risks of the ‘new normal’ and to plan and act accordingly by focusing on driving business growth through building diversified partnerships and continuing to invest in digital technology and talent.”

Threats to growth

Nine in 10 CEOs in China are concerned about the lack of skills availability and 85% express concern about the access to affordable capital. Among other top threats are new market entrants (90%), speed of technological change (88%), increasing tax burden (88%) and a shift in consumer behaviour (88%). Their level of concern is higher than it was last year and generally higher than that of their global peers.

Disruptive trends

Almost eight in 10 CEOs in China say rising competition and shifts in customer behaviour are the most disruptive trends for their industry over the next five years. China’s unique demographic and technological changes have given rise to new consumer demands, increasing the need for organisations to differentiate themselves from rivals.

Other disruptive trends include changes in distribution channels (66%), changes in industry regulation (63%) and changes in core technologies of production or service provision (37%).

Digital technology

Many of China’s CEOs recognise the significance of digital technology on their businesses, but others are less clear about how to drive value from them. Only two-thirds (67%) say they have a clear vision of how technologies can help achieve competitive advantage. This is a relatively lower percentage compared to that of the global average (86%) and the US (92%). In the face of intensifying competition and the ‘new normal’ of slowing economic growth, China’s CEOs need to make it a priority to get a better understanding of precisely how they can leverage digital technologies in their businesses.

Partnering for growth

Planned joint venture (JV), alliance and restructuring activities have increased as companies look for new ways to deliver growth. Six out of 10 CEOs in China are looking to undertake a JV or alliance in the next 12 months, an 18 percentage point increase compared to the previous survey. CEOs value the greater flexibility that comes from these kinds of partnerships, particularly in the context of increasing disruption and technological change.

China’s CEOs appreciate the value of both formal and informal partnerships. More than a third (34%) are currently engaged in collaborations with customers, and a quarter (26%) are partnering with suppliers. While most partnerships are with traditional stakeholders, there is growing interest in cooperative alliances across a wider range of groups including academia, governments and firms that operate in other industries. One in 10 CEOs in China says they are even partnering with competitors.

Government priorities

More than half of China’s CEOs (55%) believe the government’s top priority in 2015 should be to create a more internationally competitive and efficient tax system. And just under half (46%) want the government to do more to create a skilled and adaptable workforce. On these issues, China’s CEOs are in step with their global peers who also cite these as top priorities.

Talent in the digital era

Finding, nurturing and keeping skilled talent, particularly in senior management, has long been a priority for China’s CEOs, with nine out of 10 CEOs saying they were concerned about it. Encouragingly, China’s CEOs are taking the challenges of talent diversity seriously. More than three- quarters are actively searching for talent in different geographies, industries and demographic segments, and over 80% are using multiple channels to find talent, including online platforms and social networks. Although China’s CEOs understand the value that diversity brings to their organisation, only half have a strategy to promote it.

Despite the fall in confidence of China’s CEOs, there is much to be optimistic about. The country’s economic rebalancing and ongoing market-based reforms are continuing to create opportunities for businesses. The determination of CEOs to bring their most original ideas to the table will be tested as only the most innovative and agile businesses will thrive.

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