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13 March 2013 by Sigrid Brevik Wangsness Group B: ◦ RF, HC, Formal/Hierarchical, Variably Monochronic, Very Reserved Which other cultures are in the same group? How does Gesteland describe most Asian cultures? Gesteland: Nat’l culture vs. business culture UIBE: University of International Business and Economics in Beijing The Norwegian Embassy in Beijing Nordic Resource Group Consultancy firm – “Helping You Understand China” No doubt: Easy to make mistakes – many challenges But how helpful are the Do’s and Don’ts? How crucial is it, for instance, that you present your business cards with both hands or avoid having too firm a handshake? Learn as much as possible about the culture before you start the process 2001: China member of the WTO One of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies The world’s largest surplus on the balance of payments The world’s largest currency reserves The worlds largest recipient of foreign direct investments The world’s largest population (1.3bn) RMB (= juan) Guanxi How important is it, and how different is it from the social networks we have in Europe? Face Give face, save face, lose face is also an essential part of Chinese business culture: Show anger with a smile, polite refusal (not “No”) Communication Hierarchy Confucianism (Confucius, 551-478 BC) How does Confucianism affect Chinese daily life (cf. the rest of East Asia)? ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Family-centred / relationship-oriented Collectivism (not individualism) Human relationships in society =hierarchical Virtues: humanity (Ren), righteousness (Yi), friendship, wisdom, trustworthiness, moderation ◦ => HARMONY & BALANCE=> indirect comm. Alongside Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism are important influences on contemporary Chinese culture, reinforcing the values of Confucianism: Taoism: the harmonization of opposites male and female, man and nature Buddhism: ethical behaviour, wisdom, the middle way Five words to understand the nature of contemporary Chinese culture: ◦ Guanxi=relationships/personal contacts/network ◦ Renqing = doing favours for each other ◦ Li = courtesy/politeness/doing the proper thing ◦ Keqi = guest –> behave like one, respect the host ◦ Mianzi = face –> shameful to lose face, lose one’s credit/good name/ reputation Respect – interest in Chinese culture Kristoffersen: “To do business in China you need to know a lot more than just business”. Their sense of pride – avoid politically sensitive issues Drinking Karaoke Gift giving Major language barriers and cultural differences: Need for local knowledge/ network. China is NOT a homogeneous market (vs. Gesteland) Hiring your own interpreter? Conflicts What if your joint venture partner has a second agenda or there is widespread corruption within that company? Corruption ◦ How to draw the line between corruption and doing favours for friends? ◦ Kristoffersen: “Norwegians are scared to death about corruption.” ◦ The Chinese government’s fight against corruption. The importance of Hong Kong