This book is a part of my PhD thesis. To complete it，I wish to acknowledge the professional and personal support offered by the following individuals and organisations.

Prof. David Watkins，my Director of Studies，for his expertise，experience，guidance and knowledge that have proved invaluable to me at all stages of the research process and helped the thesis come to completion.

Mr. Colin Beaven，a committed supervisor and one of the most important people in my life，for his dedication to giving me valuable comments throughout the research. He is a clear example in the West who embodies the spirit of the Chinese Confucian model supervisor-‘Liang shiyi you'-to be both a good knowledgeable teacher and a helpful friend.

Prof. Tom Thomas，another of the most important persons in my life，for his generous help and candour enabling me to start my research journey.

Dr Barbara Lee and Dr Stewart Bruce-Low，my second supervisors，for making time to give me feedback in the beginning and final stages of some parts of my PhDstudy. Without them I would never have come this far.

Prof. Jenny Anderson，Prof. Ashok Ranchhod，Dr Steven Jackson，Dr Graham Benmore，Dr WhysniantiBasuki，Mark Cranshaw，John Holder，VelichkoGanchev，Mike Howell，Robert Kirby，Karen Chen，Shi Leiqing，Peter Gordon，Rosemary Bock，Nigel Bradley，James Steele，JasemAlmansoori，Dina Nziku，NasiruTaura and Dr ShahinaPervin，colleagues and friends at Southampton Solent University，for their invaluable advice and generous support in various ways.

Prof. Qiyue，Prof. He Jianguo，Prof. Chen Yuning，Prof. Wang Yanchang，Prof. XieYingzhong，Prof. Ji Bin，Prof. Li Bin，Prof. Zhou Yuzhong and Prof. GuoHongyan，leaders and colleagues at Ningxia University，for their forbearance，patience and words of encouragement over the journey of editing.

Prof. Sun Jiwen，a colleague from Ningxia University，for his kind concerns over publication of the book.

And for all companies and organisations that allowed me full access to their staff and managers to complete the survey. This includes many people employed by the companies and organisations，who gave me time，support and copious information.

I am thankful and indebted to my dear wife Mrs Windy Ding Wenying and my lovely daughter Sabrina Zhou Zihan，to my beloved parents and sisters，for their significant support，sensible understanding and encouragement during my whole long PhD research process.