Using a data set on 107 large Chinese firms, I examine inter-firm connectedness in Singapore. The analysis shows that firms in Singapore exhibit different levels of networking activities. Chinese firms that are owned by family have huge assets, good financial standing and are at the centre of business networks in Singapore. Big Chinese firms interlock with one another under the influence of Chinese business culture that stresses the importance of reputation and family ownership in networking activities. Personalism is a useful framework for gaining a good understanding of inter-firm relations in East and Southeast Asia.
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