On January 15, the China Business Administration Case Center announcedd the first and second prize winners of the 7th "Outstanding Developer" Case Competition. The case study "Weichai: Innovation-Driven Growth Toward the High-End Market", authored by a team led by Professor Cai Di from the School of Management, Shandong University, won First Prize.
The case narrated the technological, product, and market strategies of Weichai Holding Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Weichai") from its 1998 reform initiative to the present, showcasing the transformation of a state-owned traditional manufacturing enterprise from a lagging player to an industry leader. To overcome early operational challenges, Weichai embarked on bold reforms, actively developing new products and expanding into markets. With the WD615 engine as its core product, the company entered the heavy-duty truck sector and expanded into construction machinery. After addressing survival challenges, Weichai collaborated with international R&D institutions, successfully developing the Blue Engine series, which met advanced global standards. The achievement provided Weichai with proprietary core technologies and an independent innovation capability. Building on the foundation, Weichai capitalized on domestic acquisition opportunities, leveraging complementary assets to establish its "Powertrain" business model. Around the same time, the company explored "chain-based innovation", integrating multiple technological resources to drive independent innovation. To address technological gaps and enhance its product portfolio, Weichai pursued a series of overseas acquisitions, acquiring expertise in large-bore engine technology and hydraulic transmission systems. By successfully localizing these technologies, Weichai achieved high-quality industrial development. With a comprehensive product chain and robust R&D capabilities, Weichai, as an industry leader, began tackling international technical challenges, achieving significant breakthroughs in engine thermal efficiency. However, in the context of China's economic transformation and the global wave of technological change, Weichai still faced critical challenges: how to sustain its innovation momentum, explore uncharted technological frontiers, break away from traditional industrial growth patterns, and continuously develop next-generation productivity to advance further toward the high-end.
Cai Di is a Professor in the Department of Leadership and Organizational Management at the School of Management, Shandong University, and a recipient of the "Qilu Young Scholar" title. His primary research focuses on leadership, socialization, proactive behavior, team management, and organizational management innovation. His research findings have been published in top-tier international management journals such as Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, and Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology. Additionally, he has authored seven Chinese management cases recognized in the "National Top 100 Excellent Management Cases" and two English cases included in the Ivey Case Collection, one of which is also featured in the Harvard Business Publishing Case Collection.
With strong support from the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University, the China Business Case Center has been organizing the "Excellence in Case Development" Awards since 2018. The competition aims to advance the teaching and development of management cases in China, bridging the gap between classroom learning and practical application, and ensuring that discussions between educators and students remain up-to-date. It also encourages authors to explore distinctive innovation practices and real management challenges in enterprises across the country, promoting case development standards and building a high-quality case repository with a focus on Chinese business contexts. Over multiple iterations, the competition has continuously raised its standards and has become one of the most influential events in the field. In this year's competition, nearly 100 business schools nationwide submitted 200 cases, with the China Business Administration Case Center ultimately selecting 2 first-prize winners and 8 second-prize winners.
