Chinese Business Essay

Introduction It is a lot argued that when backing persons of divergent enculturations negotiate commercialised deals, thither is bound to be a stopping point clash. I disagree with this view. It is true that cultural differences influence byplay negotiations but with the appropriate climb to deal with the differences, culture clash is to be least expected in any business negotiations, especi in ally with the Chinese. As Sun Tzu would advised in his book The Art of War Know your opposition and know yourself and you provide win all battles (Sun Tzu 1913).According to Newstrom and Davis (2002) there argon many smasher differences across countries, just as there atomic number 18 some affect similarities. Clearly, residents of each country suck in their own preferences for clothes, food, recreation, and housing. In his research nearly national cultures of sixty countries, Hofstede (1993) revealed that cultures differ in five key factors namely, individualisation/collectivi sm, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity/femininity, and time orientation.Among these factors, the Chinese have the culture that nurse clarity and have the kind of orientation that accent set such(prenominal) as necessity of preparing for the future, the value of thrift and savings, and the merits of persistence. Literatures on several(predicate) cultures in addition classify China as high- mise en scene culture which break aways to emphasize person-to-person sexual intercourses, place value on trust, focus on non-verbal cues, and accent the wishing to encounter to social needs before business matters (Newstrom and Davis 2002). close is genuinely of the essence(predicate) in certain country such as China.Huntinghon (2000) as cited by Fellner (2008) defined culture as the values, attitudes, beliefs, and underlying assumptions prevalent among pile in a troupe. He stressed that culture is dynamic, interactive, and synergistic, and intermixes with all the ele ments of the society such as business and economic development (Huntinghon 2000 Fellner 2008). Huiping (2009) stated in her article entitled Understanding Chinese culture leads to business mastery with Chinas growing import as an economic abilityunderstanding the Chinese psyche becomes very helpful and useful in business negotiations management of supplier relations and many other business situations.As emphasized by Uthaisangchai (n. d. ), Chinese history and culture has stir on the way they do business and each of the many elements of the Chinese culture has a role to play in today Chinese business world. In Hofstedes (1980) theory of laissez faire-collectivism as cited by Jones (2009), the individualism and collectivism dimensions differs on the degree a culture is committed to an in-group such as extended family, follow or village.In the individualistic society, population are less attached to an in-group (that is, deal are to a greater extent egoistical and in pursuit of their own self-interests). Meanwhile in the collectivist society, people are more than attached to an in-group, that is the interests of the in-group come first. Jones (2009) also state from Hofstede and mystify (1988) that such value of collectivism likely stems from a deep rooted, inhering culture based on the traditional philosophy of Confucianism. Uthaisangchai (n.d,) gave emphasis of the teachings of Confucius in the development of the culture of Chinese.In the article entitled Connecting Confucianism, Communism and the Chinese Culture of Commerce, Keller and Kronstedt (2005) explained that Confucianism is a very important component of the Chinese culture. In a Confucian society, everyone has a role to play, and the key relationship is pass on around the family Chinese cultures value family connections and protecting relationships (saving face).Developing family-like relationships takes time and patience, non merely a contractual deal based solely on money. If one ha s to do business in a Chinese culture, it is captious to understand and respect Confucian values (Keller and Kronstedt 2005). Keller and Kronstedt (2005) further emphasized the significance of connections-Guanxi. In Confusian-based society like China, guanxi or proper connections are more crucial than price, product, place, etc. According to Jones (2009), China is known for be true-blue to their in-group and favoring them in business related finale.As given emphasis by Li (2008) as cited by Jones (2009), understanding the guanxi is critical for conducting business in China and it involves cultivating trust, credibility and reciprocity. One way to understand cultural differences is by the c one timepts of high-context culture and low-context culture. The nonion of context can be understood as the social environment in which a business transaction takes place. Edward T. student residences theory of high- and low-context culture explains the powerful effect culture has on commun ication.The countries classified ad as high-context cultures include China, Korea, Japan, Middle East, Africa, Italy and sulfur America in which people are characterized as collectivists, relational, contemplative and intuitive. This implies that the people in these societies order emphasis on good relationship between members of the society. In relation to business transactions, the development of trust is a very important step. residence (1976) argued that the people in high-context cultures prefer harmony in group and engagement for the achievement of individual members also individuals make decisions based on their feelings or intuition.The theory further emphasized that individuals focus on non-verbal cues, that is, words are not so significant in communication as compared to context rather, more is given emphasis on context which include facial expression, tone of voice of the speaker, posture, gestures, and family history and status of the individual. The communication in the high-context culture is depicted as formal and indirect, which suggests that flowery humility, flowery language, and apologies that are often too elaborated are common. Also, communicators in this type of culture do not depend on language precision and effectual documents.Meanwhile, the countries classified as having low-context culture include Germany, North America, Finland, Canada, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden are linear, logical, action-oriented, and individualistic. Individuals in the low-context countries value facts, logic and they prefer directness. Finding solutions to problems involves identifying and enumerating all the facts and evaluating each of the options. Also, each decision is based on facts more often each discussion ends with an action. Communicators in this type of culture are anticipated to be concise, straightforward, and efficient in conveying the action that is expected.According to Hall (1976), communicators have to be finespun in the words used in co mmunicating to be dead understood. All negotiations are always concluded with definite contracts. Summing up the differences, on the one hand, high-context cultures tend to emphasize personal relations, place high value on trust, focus on nonverbal cues, and accent the need to attend to social needs before business matters. On the other hand, low-context cultures tend to interpret cues more literally. Individuals tend to rely on compose rules and legal documents, conduct business first, and value expertise and performance.With these classifications of cultures, it is apparent that when Americans negotiate with Chinese, a visitation in negotiation if not a culture is more likely if the former group is not familiar with the latter. As noted by Minor and Lamberton (2010) from an interview with intercultural communication expert ray Ruiz Countries in Latin American and Asia value the building of relationships, but each in their own unique way. Before traveling to another(prenominal) country, I would pep up reading appropriate materials and speaking with overseas nationals residing in the U.S. in regards to the usance and business practices in their country of origin. I would also suggest that, once in a foreign country, it is important to observe your hosts mannerisms and responses and respectfully respond in a like manner. Be well(p) versed on acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. For example, when in Asia, do acclamation and share your impressions of their country. Do not decline any food or drink because this is viewed as an insult. In Latin America, do begin all meetings with friendly conversation regarding family or other social topics.Do not begin a meeting delving directly into the business objective. The lesson many American business people fail to learn is that it is all in the relationships (Minor & Lamberton 2010). In his article Doing line of reasoning In and With China The risks are great, but so are the rewards, Atkinson (2004) noted from S tephen Nelson, the partner and co-head of the China practice group for the Hong Kong-based fairness firm Baker & McKenzie, that when acquiring businesses in China, it is important to realize that there are perceived cultural differences.One of the important lessons in do business in China is that foreigners simply cannot enter a fortuity in China with only a cursory understanding of its toll and conditions. Atkinson (2004) cited an example of a US company that recently decided to make an investment in China by setting up a joint company through its Hong Kong manufacturing agent. The US company sent everyplace $3 million worth of equipment, then came to us with documentation written in Chinese and asked Can you look at this and tell us whether we really own 50 percent of this company? Akgunes et al (2012) determine several points to consider for prospered negotiations. According to Zhao (2000) as cited by Akgunes et al (2012), negotiations become successful when the participat ing parties are cooperative with one another this can be done by applying the cooperative Confucian simulated military operation. Also, for a western company like a US company, such company has to show that they have government support which is an indication that they are reliable, electrostatic and credible to do business with.According to Fang (2006) as noted by Akgunes (2012), trust result lead to much better performance and being patient will be more beneficial to you than any other attribute you might possess. Bredin (1998) as cited by Akgunes (2012) also suggested that a foreign business negotiator should not give in to pressure from superiors to despatch up and complete the deal because can cause problems because the Chinese are not greatly concerned with the time dimension. There are companies that also failed to successfully negotiate business deals with the Chinese.According to Fang (2006) as cited by Akgunes (2012), the well-nigh common reason for failure is that the Chinese firm lacks the funds to go through with a deal. Also, sending a low-ranking employee to make the negotiation will be viewed as very impolite and the Chinese may attain it insulting and insincere, in this case failure is also almost certain. Moreover, it is important to note from Sebenius (2002) as cited by Akgunes (2012) that Chinese law says that one cannot emerge a contract unless both sides approve dissolution.Fang (2006) as cited by Akgunes et al (2012) also emphasized that Failure to say no to a Chinese negotiator who is using a Sun Tzu-like strategy could be destructive to the deal, but on the other hand, saying no to a Confucian gentleman could cause a loss of face. This also will be very harmful, if not fatal, to a successful deal. The Chinese have regional areas just like the United States and there are very different cultures, traditions and sometimes languages in these regions.Not acknowledging these regions can cause you to have particular(a) success in one area and a complete failure in another (Fang 2006 Akgunes 2012). Conclusion In conclusion, like what Sun Tzu have said in his book The Art of War Know your enemy and know yourself and you will win all battles (Sun Tzu 1913). This means that for companies to be successful in making business deals, having the capital is not enough to limiting a business deal. Knowledge and understanding of the culture of the prospect business partner is very important.Other than this, Sebenius (2002) emphasized that culturl allegiances are often not as simple as they appear. Designing the right strategy and tactics in reaching the right people, with the right arguments, will result to a sustainable deal. 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