Combating COVID-19 Together: China’s Collaborative Response and the Role of Business Associations

Abstract

Drawing on data from Zhejiang Province, this study explores China’s collaborative response to COVID-19 in which business associations played a critical role. Consistent with existing literature on cross-sector collaboration and nonprofit contributions in extreme events, the preliminary findings of this study carry significant implications for future research to advance new knowledge. Specifically, two important next steps of future research that hold considerable promise—examining the overwhelming impact of the institutional environment on collaboration and accounting for the complex mechanisms in which multiple components of collaboration create outcomes through a configurational approach—emerged from this study. In addition, the practical implications of these findings are highlighted.

Campaign-style crisis regime: how China responded to the shock of COVID-19

“…Second, although social forces were mobilized (e.g. Cheng et al 2020;Zhang, Shen, and Yu 2020), the mechanisms of, and the ability to create, interest alignment were deficient. The main body of the people's war was still the Party-state.…”

“…Also, many scholars research into the role of social sectors. For example, the involvement of community-based organizations, business associations, and their cooperation with the government are suggested as the crucial element for epidemic prevention and control in Zhejiang Province (Cheng et al 2020;Zhang, Shen, and Yu 2020). Finally, some scholars have studied the uniqueness of China's response strategies.…”

Party, State, Civil Society and Covid-19 in China

“…But these responses have been permitted under highly restrictive conditions, and those restrictions have not been ameliorated in this special time (Ministry of Civil Affairs 2020a, 2020b). At the same time, and we and others have shown, despite heavy restrictions, civil society still shows strength and vitality in emergency service, funding, volunteering, mutual aid, in-kind donations, and perhaps even, occasionally, policy advocacy (Cheng et al 2020;Dong and Lu 2020;Hu and Sidel 2020;Miao et al 2020;Yu 2020;Zhang and Guo 2020;Zhang, Shen, and Yu 2020).…”

“…While these fundraising policies were not always as restrictive in other parts of China, even elsewhere there have been constraints on the organizations that may seek and accept donations for Covid relief. In particular, permits have been allowed to collect private donations, generally in line with existing national fundraising regulations (Zhang, Shen and Yu 2020). Those charities permitted to raise funds for COVID relief include primarily public foundations (mostly state-affiliated) and a handful of major social service NGOs.…”

Cenário de Pós-desenvolvimento: como se adaptar às crises decorrentes da Covid-19?

“…A crise sanitária mundial por Covid-19 evidencia a importância social da qualidade dos profissionais de diversas áreas e setores tais quais: saneamento, energia, alimentício, distribuição, pesquisa e desenvolvimento. Envolve um enfoque sistêmico para ser possível lidar com as consequências da pandemia, com inúmeras pessoas, organizações e governos engajados em um esforço intenso, coletivo e solidário voltado para a saúde e o bem comum (Zhang et al, 2020).…”