Pauluzzo / Shen Impact of Culture on Management of Foreign SMEs in China

1. Auflage 2018
ISBN: 978-3-319-77881-5
Verlag: Springer Nature Switzerland
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 259 Seiten

Reihe: International Series in Advanced Management Studies

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.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Pauluzzo, Rubens

Shen, Bin

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Contents;6
2;1 Introduction;9
2.1;Abstract;9
2.2;1.1 SMEs in the Global Arena: A Role that Should Not Be Neglected;9
2.3;1.2 China’s Economy and the Challenges of the ‘New Normal’ Phase;13
2.4;1.3 SMEs’ Internationalization and the Puzzle of China’s Cultural Environment;16
2.5;1.4 Structure of the Book;19
2.6;References;21
3;2 The Internationalization Processes of SMEs;24
3.1;Abstract;24
3.2;2.1 Introduction;24
3.3;2.2 The Evolutionary Path of Internationalization;26
3.4;2.3 Internationalization and SMEs;29
3.5;2.4 Barriers to the Internationalization of SMEs;35
3.6;2.5 The Impact of Internationalization on SMEs’ Performance;39
3.7;2.6 Theoretical Approaches to SMEs’ Internationalization Processes;41
3.8;2.7 The Born Global Model;57
3.9;References;60
4;3 The Impacts of Management on the International Development of SMEs;75
4.1;Abstract;75
4.2;3.1 Introduction;75
4.3;3.2 The Role of Management in the Internationalization Path of SMEs;76
4.4;3.3 Firm-Specific Resources and Capabilities;79
4.5;3.4 Management Attitude and Perceptions;80
4.6;3.5 Management Characteristics;81
4.7;3.6 Objective Managerial Characteristics;83
4.8;3.7 Subjective Managerial Characteristics;86
4.9;References;90
5;4 Culture and Its Dimensions: General Implications for Management;97
5.1;Abstract;97
5.2;4.1 Introduction;97
5.3;4.2 The Concept of Culture and Its Evolution;99
5.4;4.3 Culture and Socio-cultural Systems;103
5.5;4.4 Cultural Dimensions and the Theoretical Approaches to Culture;105
5.5.1;4.4.1 Edward T. Hall: Hidden Dimension and Silent Language;108
5.5.2;4.4.2 Florence R. Kluckhohn and Fred L. Strodtbeck: Variations in Value Orientation;114
5.5.3;4.4.3 Geert H. Hofstede: Merits, Developments, and New Directions;117
5.5.4;4.4.4 Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner: Riding the Waves of Culture;121
5.5.5;4.4.5 Shalom H. Schwartz: Basic Values and Culture;124
5.5.6;4.4.6 The GLOBE Project: Understanding the Relationship Between National Culture, Societal Effectiveness, and Leadership Attributes;127
5.5.7;4.4.7 Fang’s Yin-Yang Perspective on Culture;131
5.6;4.5 Managers and Entrepreneurs in Culturally Diverse Settings;133
5.7;References;137
6;5 Chinese Cultural Roots and Their Influence on Managerial Issues;145
6.1;Abstract;145
6.2;5.1 Introduction;145
6.3;5.2 Cultural Roots of the People’s Republic of China;146
6.4;5.3 Key Principles of the Chinese Cultural Environment;153
6.5;5.4 Embracing Paradox in Management;156
6.6;5.5 Rule of Thumb to Manage Cultural Issues in the Chinese Business Environment;162
6.7;References;165
7;6 Empirical Analysis;170
7.1;Abstract;170
7.2;6.1 Introduction;170
7.3;6.2 The Experience of Italian Companies in China;172
7.4;6.3 Managerial Characteristics and Adaptive Capability;173
7.5;6.4 Cultural Intelligence in the International Markets;174
7.6;6.5 Adaptive Capability and SMEs’ Performance;176
7.7;6.6 Methodology;179
7.8;6.7 Data Sources;182
7.9;6.8 Sample and Site;185
7.10;6.9 Measurement of Constructs;186
7.11;6.10 Quantitative Analysis;190
7.12;6.11 Qualitative Analysis;200
7.13;References;209
8;7 Discussion of Research Findings;220
8.1;Abstract;220
8.2;7.1 Introduction;220
8.3;7.2 Discussion of Quantitative Research Findings;221
8.3.1;7.2.1 SMEs’ Managerial Characteristics and Their Adaptive Capability in the Chinese Context;222
8.3.2;7.2.2 SMEs’ Cultural Intelligence and Their Adaptive Capability in the Chinese Context;224
8.3.3;7.2.3 The Moderator Effect of SMEs’ Cultural Intelligence on Managerial Characteristics;226
8.3.4;7.2.4 SMEs’ Adaptive Capability and Its Impact on SMEs’ Performance in the Chinese Context;227
8.3.5;7.2.5 The Mediating Effect of Adaptive Capability in the Path to SMEs’ Performance;228
8.4;7.3 Discussion of Qualitative Research Findings;230
8.4.1;7.3.1 Managerial Issues;231
8.4.2;7.3.2 Chinese Cultural Values;234
8.4.3;7.3.3 SMEs’ Activities in China;238
8.5;References;241
9;8 Conclusion and Directions for Future Research;245
9.1;Abstract;245
9.2;8.1 Contribution to Theory;248
9.3;8.2 Contribution to Practice;251
9.4;8.3 Contribution to Policy-Makers;254
9.5;8.4 Limitations and Suggestions for Further Research;256
9.6;References;257