Impact of Culture on Management of Foreign SMEs in China (eBook)

Rubens Pauluzzo, Bin Shen (Autoren)

eBook Download: PDF

2018 | 1st ed. 2018
VII, 255 Seiten
Springer International Publishing (Verlag)
978-3-319-77881-5 (ISBN)

Infos

This book describes how a deeper knowledge and understanding of cultural differences represents a meaningful and useful tool for management of companies, and in particular SMEs, in the People's Republic of China. After introductory chapters on the internationalization of SMEs and the role played by management in this process, the authors explore the implications of academic discourses on culture and its dimensions for company management. The influence of Chinese cultural roots and the country's current cultural environment on management is then examined, with provision of guidance on response to the identified challenges. A key feature of the book is the presentation of important recent fieldwork in the main economic regions of China. This research further clarifies how business culture and cultural differences impact on company activities in China and casts light on various aspects of the adaptive capability of SMEs within the country, highlighting the value of cultural awareness and intelligence. The book will be of interest to academics and practitioners alike.

Rubens Pauluzzo is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Economics and Statistics at the University of Udine, Italy. His research interests focus on international business and management, cross-cultural management, and Asian economies and cultures. He has a PhD in Business Sciences from the University of Udine and has been a visiting researcher at Fudan University in Shanghai and at the University of Hong Kong. He has also worked in Japan for the Italian Embassy.

Bin Shen is currently an Associate Professor at Donghua University in Shanghai, China. His research focuses on supply chain and operations management. He received his PhD from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He has been principal investigator on various projects funded by national grants in China. His papers have appeared in leading journals and he is an editorial board member for the International Journal of Inventory Research. He won the Textile Institute Publication Award in 2016.

Inhalt

Contents 6
1 Introduction 9
Abstract 9
1.1 SMEs in the Global Arena: A Role that Should Not Be Neglected 9
1.2 China’s Economy and the Challenges of the ‘New Normal’ Phase 13
1.3 SMEs’ Internationalization and the Puzzle of China’s Cultural Environment 16
1.4 Structure of the Book 19
References 21
2 The Internationalization Processes of SMEs 24
Abstract 24
2.1 Introduction 24
2.2 The Evolutionary Path of Internationalization 26
2.3 Internationalization and SMEs 29
2.4 Barriers to the Internationalization of SMEs 35
2.5 The Impact of Internationalization on SMEs’ Performance 39
2.6 Theoretical Approaches to SMEs’ Internationalization Processes 41
2.7 The Born Global Model 57
References 60
3 The Impacts of Management on the International Development of SMEs 75
Abstract 75
3.1 Introduction 75
3.2 The Role of Management in the Internationalization Path of SMEs 76
3.3 Firm-Specific Resources and Capabilities 79
3.4 Management Attitude and Perceptions 80
3.5 Management Characteristics 81
3.6 Objective Managerial Characteristics 83
3.7 Subjective Managerial Characteristics 86
References 90
4 Culture and Its Dimensions: General Implications for Management 97
Abstract 97
4.1 Introduction 97
4.2 The Concept of Culture and Its Evolution 99
4.3 Culture and Socio-cultural Systems 103
4.4 Cultural Dimensions and the Theoretical Approaches to Culture 105
4.4.1 Edward T. Hall: Hidden Dimension and Silent Language 108
4.4.2 Florence R. Kluckhohn and Fred L. Strodtbeck: Variations in Value Orientation 114
4.4.3 Geert H. Hofstede: Merits, Developments, and New Directions 117
4.4.4 Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner: Riding the Waves of Culture 121
4.4.5 Shalom H. Schwartz: Basic Values and Culture 124
4.4.6 The GLOBE Project: Understanding the Relationship Between National Culture, Societal Effectiveness, and Leadership Attributes 127
4.4.7 Fang’s Yin-Yang Perspective on Culture 131
4.5 Managers and Entrepreneurs in Culturally Diverse Settings 133
References 137
5 Chinese Cultural Roots and Their Influence on Managerial Issues 145
Abstract 145
5.1 Introduction 145
5.2 Cultural Roots of the People’s Republic of China 146
5.3 Key Principles of the Chinese Cultural Environment 153
5.4 Embracing Paradox in Management 156
5.5 Rule of Thumb to Manage Cultural Issues in the Chinese Business Environment 162
References 165
6 Empirical Analysis 170
Abstract 170
6.1 Introduction 170
6.2 The Experience of Italian Companies in China 172
6.3 Managerial Characteristics and Adaptive Capability 173
6.4 Cultural Intelligence in the International Markets 174
6.5 Adaptive Capability and SMEs’ Performance 176
6.6 Methodology 179
6.7 Data Sources 182
6.8 Sample and Site 185
6.9 Measurement of Constructs 186
6.10 Quantitative Analysis 190
6.11 Qualitative Analysis 200
References 209
7 Discussion of Research Findings 220
Abstract 220
7.1 Introduction 220
7.2 Discussion of Quantitative Research Findings 221
7.2.1 SMEs’ Managerial Characteristics and Their Adaptive Capability in the Chinese Context 222
7.2.2 SMEs’ Cultural Intelligence and Their Adaptive Capability in the Chinese Context 224
7.2.3 The Moderator Effect of SMEs’ Cultural Intelligence on Managerial Characteristics 226
7.2.4 SMEs’ Adaptive Capability and Its Impact on SMEs’ Performance in the Chinese Context 227
7.2.5 The Mediating Effect of Adaptive Capability in the Path to SMEs’ Performance 228
7.3 Discussion of Qualitative Research Findings 230
7.3.1 Managerial Issues 231
7.3.2 Chinese Cultural Values 234
7.3.3 SMEs’ Activities in China 238
References 241
8 Conclusion and Directions for Future Research 245
Abstract 245
8.1 Contribution to Theory 248
8.2 Contribution to Practice 251
8.3 Contribution to Policy-Makers 254
8.4 Limitations and Suggestions for Further Research 256
References 257

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 24.3.2018
• Reihe/Serie: International Series in Advanced Management Studies
• Reihe/Serie: International Series in Advanced Management Studies
• Zusatzinfo: VII, 255 p. 12 illus.
• Verlagsort: Cham
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Soziologie
• Themenwelt: Wirtschaft ► Betriebswirtschaft / Management ► Unternehmensführung / Management
• Schlagworte: Business culture in China • Business in China • Culture and international management • Foreign SMEs in China • international business management • Internationalization and SMEs • Internationalization Processes of SMEs • Managing companies in China • SME internationalization • SME management in China • SMEs in China
• ISBN-10: 3-319-77881-1 / 3319778811
• ISBN-13: 978-3-319-77881-5 / 9783319778815