Using design-and-build as an entry strategy to the Chinese construction market

Design-and-build delivery has become a significant alternative to the more traditional design-bid-build, though the level of its use varies from country to country. This research investigates the entry strategies of foreign contractors in China and their use of design-and-build, set against the country’s evolving construction project procurement regulations and practice. Entry strategies are analyzed in two dimensions – entry modes and market targeting – and based on this a conceptual model of foreign contractors’ entry strategy is presented, which proposes a focus on foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, on design-and-build capacity, and on collaboration with Chinese design institutes.