The minimum living security system in China : -Shanghai as case study

Sammanfattning: The continuous and rapid economic development of China, has leads to a wide range of discussions and speculations contributing towards the reform of the Chinese social welfare system, particularly the expanding of minimum living security benefits.   This study includes a comprehensive literature review which outlines the content, implications and perceptions for minimum living security in China, The research methodology has been designed in order to highlight the key feedback and perceptions of different local stakeholders in China regarding the current minimum living securities, such as government, tax payers and beneficiaries. These discussions have taken the social exchange theory as its basis. The benefits and costs incurred by those in society who experience the minimum living standard have been evaluated. Furthermore, the findings have also suggested that there are various factors which have given rise to different social welfare systems in China.   the findings have highlighted that since the Chinese economy has been successful in these past few years, China has started to rollout minimum living security measures to provide financial support to disadvantaged people and families. This has resulted in a very positive development as regards social development, ethics and fairness in society. However, this research has also pointed out the challenges that the social welfare system is meeting. For instance, excessive social welfare is likely to bring pressures and challenges to the financial system of public finance; on top of that, this may lead to adverse public perceptions for long term benefit takers. The formation of the social welfare system is driven by the combined factors of economic development, public finance strength, national culture, political systems and social perceptions.   This has paved the way for the continuous yet tailored development of the Chinese social benefit system so far. This research has adapted the triangulation styled research, combining it with secondary studies and primary findings obtained from focus group interviews, as well as other existing studies in order to reach insightful conclusions.   This study provides recommendations with the focus being on boosting and optimizing the social welfare and minimum living security in China in a more effective and efficient manner. Focus is in area of balancing and sustainable financial budget; promoting more job creation and training; simplifying the system and promoting transparency in the systems to guarantee long term success. This has aligned with existing research to ensure all stakeholders in the social welfare system are being managed in the value creation manner. This is vital for success and to ensure that the social welfare system in place is benefiting society, particularly the vulnerable, while still making it sustainable.