This study uses an anthropological perspective
to discuss the cultural differences between Chinese
and Americans in business contexts. Through an
analysis of case studies related by businesspersons
involved in Sino-US trade, and by an analysis of
literature on the subject, it describes how cultural
differences contribute to the problems and
misunderstandings of business encounters, and
eventually affect the outcome of business ventures.
The data of this study are taken directly from
interviews of twenty-two businesspersons from Chins
and the United States, who are actively involved in
Sino-US trade. This study identifies eleven sets of
conflicting cultural characteristics in Sino-American business interaction. These characteristics
are closely related to Professor Hsu's theory that
Chinese are situation-centered. The theme of
Chinese culture is mutual dependency. Americans are
individual-centered. The theme of American culture
is self-reliance. This study tries to answer the
questions such as: Why are personal relationships so
important when doing business with Chinese? Why are
some Chinese not compelled to keep business
contracts or time schedules? What does face mean to
a Chinese? and What kind of restraint do Americans
need to deal with Chinese? This study also intends
to show how important it is for businesspersons to
be aware of cultural differences, and to be able to
identify them. When in a cross-cultural situation,
businesspersons who can control the situation and
adapt to a different cultural environment will be
more successful. / Graduation date: 1994
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/35624 |
| Date | 20 September 1993 |
| Creators | Chen, Yuejian, 1958- |
| Contributors | Young, John A. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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