A Study On The Role Of Industry Associations In Industry Governance

With the economic development and the deepening reform of China's economic system,government functions are evolving all the time.In the report of the 19 th National Congress of the Communist Party of China,the notion is mentioned that the government shall constantly push for streamlined administration and decentralization of governance to establish a social governance model based on collaboration,participation,and common interests.As an important link between government and enterprises,trade associations play their own roles in industrial governance and are growing into an important contributor to social governance.Against the backdrop of continuous development and upgrade of industries,trade associations need to assume greater roles in industrial governance by magnifying their functions in facilitating the synergy between government and enterprises,in order to provide better services to industries,coordinate the interests of different stakeholders and strengthen industrial management.Such endeavor can also get trade associations more involved in the process of social governance and give true color to their roles in industrial governance.In recent years,China Ports & Harbors Association(hereinafter referred to as CPHA),as a national trade association in China's port industry,has received attention from all sectors for its momentous development.By honoring its mission of serving the industry,the government and its members,CPHA has been committed to reforms through innovation and served as a bridge between various domestic port enterprises and institutions in the bid to promote the development of the port industry.By using the methods of literature review,case study and focus group,this thesis takes CPHA as an example to explore the difficulties in playing its role in the process of industrial governance,so as to find solutions and make suggestions to improve the functions of trade associations.In studying CPHA,this thesis first examines its history and current situation.Through progressive research on the status quo of CPHA's services,roles in coordination and supervision,its performance of functions,the thesis arrives at the three major problems existing in CPHA's practice: firstly,its service function cannot be brought into full play;secondly,its coordination function is constrained;thirdly,its supervisory function is only good on paper.By looking into the problems,this thesis puts forward the following remedies to enhance the performance of trade associations.Firstly,they need to cultivate professional talents and establish the brand awareness of the industry.Secondly,they should define their positionings and establish a good cooperative relationship.Thirdly,they should strengthen internal management and improve the supervision and evaluation mechanisms.