understanding images and values: chinese cultural roots and transitions

Understanding Images and Values: Chinese Cultural Roots and Transitions

Mental Box Implications

We cannot help but categorize input – it is necessary to distinguish, differentiate and compare, link, interpret, recall

We need to humbly admit that…

our categories may be limited or

we may falsely sort information. We need to be open to expand or change both

our topics and associated links in our “box”.

More Mental Box Learnings

Life is a process of dynamic learning. We should try to be more observant, sensitive

and accurate information gatherers and enjoy the process.

Don’t be threatened by it – all make mistakes. As we constantly receive new input, we should

try to keep revising, adjusting and developing more accurate generalizations.

Avoid the terms: all, every, always, none, never

Understanding Image

Image is Mental picture or idea; General impression that a culture, person, firm,

product, etc. gives to the public.

Poets, scientists and artists have always given us images that help us make sense of the world.

The images people have of themselves are often quite different from the images people from other cultures have of them.

The newer images compete with older images that come from local and national cultures.

- Linell Davis

Images of China and Images of Japan

China: The Great Wall, the Olympic Games, the World Expo,

Yao Ming, Calligraphy, piracy, ….

Japan: The Fuji Mountain, the Toyota, Hello Kitty, Kimono,

….

Do you think these are “accurate” perceptions of China and Japan?

Value can be defined as:

a conception, explicit or implicit, distinctive of an individual or characteristic of a group, of the desirable which influences the selection from available modes, means, and ends of action. (Kluckhohn, 1951:395)

ideas, beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, principles, etc. long cherished by members of a society.

Values are guiding forces of human behavior.

Value Dimensions

high-context Vs low context

collectivism Vs individualism

hierarchy Vs equality

femininity Vs masculinity

uncertainty avoidance

time orientation

High and Low Context(Edward T. Hall)

A high-context communication is one in which most of the information is either in the physical context or internalized in the person, while very little is in the coded, explicit, transmitted part of the message.

A low-context communication is just the opposite; the mass of information is vested in the explicit code.

Sources of meaning

High-context Low-context

Social roles Language

Situation Memos, letters, maps, manuals

Participants What people say

Hofstede’s Work Related Values

Power distance is an attempt to measure cultural attitudes about inequality in social relationships.

High-power distance cultures believe people are unequal by nature, hierarchy is natural and important.

Low-power distance cultures think everyone is by nature equal to everyone else; differences in power and status should be eliminated or minimized.

The individualism index measures the extent to which the interests of the individual are considered to be more important than the interests of the group.

Masculinity-femininity index measures the extent to which everyone in a society embraces values that have traditionally been associated with men, that is assertiveness, competitiveness and toughness, or embraces values that have traditionally been labeled as feminine, that is modesty, cooperation and tenderness.

Uncertainty avoidance index seeks to measure the extent to which people in a particular society are able to tolerate the unknowns of life.

If you prefer structure and want to know what to expect in most situations, then you trying to avoid uncertainty.

A person who is relaxed and at ease, even when he does not know what will happen next, is showing low or weak uncertainty avoidance.

Loose structure (China)–Tight structure (Germany)

Long-Term Orientation is the fifth dimension of Hofstede which was added after the original four to try to distinguish the difference in thinking between the East and West.

Long-Term Orientation is essential to understanding the mindsets of business negotiators from different countries, especially when international trade negotiations are time-sensitive.

Long-Term Orientation (LTO) focuses on the degree the society embraces, or does not embrace, long-term devotion to traditional, forward thinking values.

High Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country prescribes to the values of long-term commitments and respect for tradition. This is thought to support a strong work ethic where long-term rewards are expected as a result of today's hard work. However, business may take longer to develop in this society, particularly for an "outsider".

A Low Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country does not reinforce the concept of long-term, traditional orientation. In this culture, change can occur more rapidly as long-term traditions and commitments do not become impediments to change.

Cultures with Long-Term Orientation scores value thrift and perseverance toward slow results. People are respected for their willingness to subordinate themselves for a purpose.

Cultures with Short-Term Orientation focus on social and status obligations at any cost. Overspending is common. Savings are not top priority.

By far, China shows the highest Long-Term Orientation (118/120, cf: 25/120 of Britain) .

International business people need to carefully consider the Chinese mindset that values perseverance and slow progress.

Chinese business partners are often offended by Western business people who try to impose tight deadlines and agendas on business decisions.

Case study:

How much work is hard work?

Influences on the Chinese Cultural Values

Environment Climate Confucianism: Confucius(552 B.C.) Taoism:Lao Zi (604 B.C.) History

Environment and Culture

Environment is responsible for Chinese culture in the following ways:

It allows a vast living space for large numbers of tribes to survive, to move and to intermingle in the north and south of China.

It nurtures a continental culture looking inward, a farming culture bent on soil, discouraging the emergence of an adventurous sea-faring people.

The natural barriers within the vast territories block easy communication to help create cultures, subcultures and unintelligent dialects.

A culture of harmony, coherence, stamina and continuity.

This culture is favored by nature in the following ways:

The relative isolation encourages the maintenance of uniqueness.

The vast areas of living space allow plenty of leeway for mobility and intermingling of tribes and peoples in China proper.

The variety of terrain and climate is conducive to the flourishing of regional cultures.

Negative Influences

This human habitat is too congenial to produce an outward-looking, adventurous, sea-faring culture.

This self-contained and self-sufficient farming culture brews satisfaction and conservatism.

The geographical isolation of China coaxed Chinese into a misbelief of the world: the world is China, China is the world.

With the size approximately the same as Europe, China’s arable land constitutes only a small percent of the latter, which results in a dense population on limited farmland.

Climate and Culture

Three major factors contribute to climate in China: Vast territory Rich variation in topography Seasonal monsoons

Effects:

Farmer’s preoccupation on the soil and nonconcern for commerce and the sea

Confucianism

Confucianism, major system of thought in China, developed from the teachings of Confucius and his disciples, and concerned with the principles of good conduct, practical wisdom and proper social relationships.

Confucianism has influenced the Chinese attitude toward life, set the patterns of living and standards of social value, and provided the background for Chinese political theories and institutions.

It has spread from China to Korea, Japan and Vietnam and has aroused interest among western scholars.

The 4 books: The Great Learning, the Doctrine of the Mean, the Analects, the Mencius

The 5 classics: the Book of Songs, the Book of History, the Book of Changes, the Book of Rites, the Spring and Autumn Annals

It motivates people to actively involve in communal work and lay emphasis on man’s moral quality.

Society is based on the five relationships: ruler-subject, husband-wife, father-son, elder-younger brothers, and friend-friend.

There would be no order, harmony or unity if people should relax their vigilance and fall into immoral practices.

Seven core rituals of Confucianism: BenevolenceHarmonyMidwayForbearanceFilial PietyTrustCautious Words

The Confucian ethos has tended towards the formation of a dedicated and motivated as well as educated population which manifests a responsible and enhanced sense of commitment to its ideals and institutions as well as to the identity and moral fibre of its organisation with the resultant establishment of desirable outcomes (Chang et al.,1997; Chen, Liu and Ennis, 1997; Chinese Culture Connection, 1987; Chiu, 1989 and Ralston et al.,1992).

Taoism

It studies Yin-Yang and the Five Elements. It believes in non-action and a society in

harmony with nature and heaven. Man conforms to this prime substance of the

cosmos, abide by this core principle of the universe, and weigh all things against this eternal and absolute standard.

As to the issue of “how”, they demanded that man take no unnatural action.

Chinese Social Beliefs

In Confucian thought, individuals are believed to have the ability to develop their moral standard and to abide by them.

The political and social organization emphasizes individual morality and diminish the role of legal regulations.

That is why in the traditional Chinese societies there is a lack of an objective, consistent legal system.

Chinese seem to favour fewer rules and a higher level of flexibility in following what rules are set out.

A system of guanxi or using connections to obtain something, is integral to the very existence of society itself.

Moderation or following the middle way leads to harmony and stability. These values support the collective rather than the individualistic way of thought and strengthen the construct of unity within the extended family unit.

Face is a concept of central importance because of its pervasive influence in interpersonal relations among Chinese.

Chinese values

mutual dependence (e.g. father and son) emphasis on moderation and social orientation harmony, avoiding confrontation hierarchy, deference to authority suspicious attitude toward others, discouraging

association with anyone whose fate is not linked to one’s own

trust the inner circle reciprocity, returning favors

Implications for Doing Business in China

Maintain proper demeanour. Avoid open confrontation. give face, save face and show face. Use formal titles for introductions. be calm, collected and controlled. Establish a contact to act as an intermediary. Arrive on time or early if you are the guest or for appointments. Give gifts either in private or to a group as a whole to avoid

embarrassment Do not expect to conclude your business swiftly. Start a meeting with some brief small talk.

Chinese Culture Western Culture group oriented oriented to the individual relationship driven goal driven conflict averse inclined to address points of conflict seeks harmony, seeks immediate resolution of issues

avoids confrontation comm.is top down comm. is multi-directional ‘no’ terminates ‘no’ means ‘make me another offer

negotiations ‘yes’ enables ‘yes’ is an agreement to close the deal

negotiations to continue