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Alibaba: The House That Jack Ma Built

Duncan Clark

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Founder connections

  • Nik StoronskyRead
    Listed among his recent reads in Konstantin Panfilov’s December 14, 2018 interview. The list gives the Russian title and author; it does not identify his Kindle edition or make this a separate recommendation.
    Source

Summary

Duncan Clark traces Jack Ma’s path from teaching English to building Alibaba. Drawing on interviews and his experience as an early adviser, Clark sets the company’s growth within China’s economic and social change. The account examines competition with Chinese and overseas internet firms, the company’s move into finance and entertainment, and its relationship with government.

  • SourceAlibaba — author description · Title, author and paragraphs 2–5: early adviser, interviews, competition and China context
  • SourceAlibaba — publisher-supplied Google Books record · Bibliographic information: 2016 illustrated edition, HarperCollins, 304 pages, ISBN 9780062413406

Why read it Our view

Use this account to examine how a company finds room to grow in a changing market. Compare the local conditions, rival firms and founder choices that shaped Alibaba. Clark’s access helps explain the business from close range; his role as an early adviser is also part of the perspective to assess.