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5 - Flowing Water for Dynamism

Internal Mobility to Boost Innovation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2026

Xiaolan Fu
Affiliation:
University of Oxford
George Yip
Affiliation:
Imperial College Business School
Xuechen Ding
Affiliation:
Beijing Technology and Business University
Wei Wei
Affiliation:
University of Sussex
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Summary

This chapter explores how Tencent’s marketised management approach enhances resource allocation, promotes dynamic minds, stimulates employees’ self-motivation, and boosts the organisation’s innovation, with a focus on its internal mobility programme, Flowing Water (活水), launched in 2012. Tencent not only fosters an open and distinctive ‘flowing water’ culture but also develops a digital platform that allows employees to freely apply for internal positions, thereby promoting and improving internal mobility policies. Tencent’s commitment to information sharing and transparency in the process further supports the effectiveness of the programme. Flowing Water not only aids skill development and career growth for employees but also ensures a flexible and agile talent supply, retaining top performers in a highly competitive environment. It contributes to knowledge sharing, internal cooperation, and the adaptability of business units. Ultimately, this programme plays a critical role in supporting Tencent’s innovation and organisational agility through continuous, self-driven talent circulation.

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  • Flowing Water for Dynamism
  • Xiaolan Fu, University of Oxford, George Yip, Imperial College Business School, Xuechen Ding, Beijing Technology and Business University, Wei Wei, University of Sussex
  • Book: China's ‘Everything Online' Company
  • Online publication: 01 May 2026
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009738996.006
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  • Flowing Water for Dynamism
  • Xiaolan Fu, University of Oxford, George Yip, Imperial College Business School, Xuechen Ding, Beijing Technology and Business University, Wei Wei, University of Sussex
  • Book: China's ‘Everything Online' Company
  • Online publication: 01 May 2026
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009738996.006
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Flowing Water for Dynamism
  • Xiaolan Fu, University of Oxford, George Yip, Imperial College Business School, Xuechen Ding, Beijing Technology and Business University, Wei Wei, University of Sussex
  • Book: China's ‘Everything Online' Company
  • Online publication: 01 May 2026
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009738996.006
Available formats
×