GUIDO NASSIMBENI is Professor of Economics and Business Strategy at the University of Udine, Italy. He co-ordinated the EU project 'International Sourcing Strategies for China' with German and Chinese partners. His research interests include supply chain management, strategic purchasing, lean production and logistics.

MARCO SARTOR is a PhD candidate at the University of Udine, Italy. His studies are related to international sourcing, international manufacturing and firm benchmarking. He has written several papers on these topics that have been published in leading international journals.

Global competition requires a global approach to sourcing activities and China now constitutes one of the most attractive sourcing regions. The outcome of an international project led by the authors together with German and Chinese partners, this book is the first to address the managerial demands of developing a production and supply base in the Far East. It highlights the inducements, advantages and obstacles faced by enterprises in the development of a sourcing channel in China. A taxonomy of the various sourcing typologies is proposed and a normative model is described that, on the basis of some discriminating variables, suggests the most suitable sourcing choice. The book examines the paths leading to an effective sourcing channel and International Purchasing Office in China, providing concrete examples of successful sourcing experiences.