Changxu Ding
Upgrading Strategies and Industrial Competitiveness of Manufacturing Suppliers in Shandong
Email: changxu.ding@vuw.ac.nz
Supervisors: AProf Hongzhi Gao
Profile
Changxu Ding is a PhD candidate in International Business at Victoria University of Wellington, supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC). His research focuses on geopolitics, GVCs, supplier upgrading, resilience, and industrial competitiveness, particularly in the context of emerging-market firms.
Alongside his doctoral studies, Changxu serves as a Talent and Qualifications Officer at the Shandong Taishan Economic Development Area Management Committee, a local government authority responsible for promoting regional economic development, supporting businesses, and facilitating industrial development. His work focuses on talent policy, talent development, professional qualifications, and university–industry engagement. He also serves as Deputy Secretary-General of the Western Returned Scholars Association of Taishan.
Qualifications
Master of Science in Marketing, Durham University, UK
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in International Marketing, Coventry University, UK
Research interests
Geopolitics, International Business, Global Value Chains, Supplier Upgrading, Resilience, Emerging Markets.
Publications
Sha, F., Ding, C., Zheng, X., Wang, J. and Tao, Y. (2025) ‘Weathering the policy storm: How trade uncertainty shapes firm financial performance through innovation and operations’, International Review of Economics & Finance, 102, 104274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2025.104274 [ABDC: A]