Mega-collaboration, mega-coordination: an anatomy of the organisational framework of Expo 2010 Shanghai, China

Abstract

For decades, an increasing number of researchers have been focusing on mega-project development. Nevertheless, spotlighted cases predominantly come from the developed economic systems, which results in a lack of serious examinations of cases in the emerging economic powerhouse of East Asia with ample practical experiences. The discrepancy between the enormous practical opportunities and scarce academic contributions in China stands as a most disturbing problem among others. This paper presents a case study of Expo 2010 as a latest Chinese mega-project development. Drawing from domestic and international experiences, Chinese Central Government and Shanghai Municipal Government jointly put in place a “sandwich” organizational framework, featuring Shanghai Expo Bureau as the coordination headquarters in facilitating the unprecedented multi-agency collaboration. Based on extensive documentary and empirical evidence, this paper revolves around the formation and evolution of the innovative model, for which future organizers of its like may find useful to devise or adapt to fit their own particular circumstances.