ABSTRACT

As business becomes increasingly globalized and China establishes its growing role in the international business environment, developing an understanding of the complex culture is important to anyone acting in the global arena. This book offers readers a thorough and nuanced resource to that end, describing the ever-evolving Chinese way of life circa 2014, based on extensive primary and secondary data.

Taking an anthropological approach to achieve a well-rounded representation, the book covers 51 topics that would have been studied if China were a newly discovered civilization. It explores the culture through its examination of the nine core concepts that best represent the Chinese way of life. While the book is a rigorous treatment of the Chinese way of life, it is also filled with personal stories and perspectives from close to 1000 successful Chinese from academia, business, and government.

The Chinese Way equips international business students, scholars, and practitioners with a deep understanding of a society that is a major player in global business today and offers a foundation for successful business interactions with Chinese companies, organizations, and people.

chapter 1|8 pages

The Chinese Way of Life, Version 2014

part I|39 pages

Customs and Traditions

chapter 2|4 pages

Face

The Three-Tiered Chinese Version of Honor

chapter 4|4 pages

Presumption of Untrustworthiness (Guilt)

chapter 5|6 pages

Unwritten Rules

chapter 6|6 pages

Promises

chapter 8|8 pages

Drinking Culture

part II|39 pages

Social Structure

chapter 9|6 pages

Harmonious Society

chapter 10|6 pages

Subcultures

chapter 11|6 pages

Social Circles

chapter 12|8 pages

Employment Equality

chapter 13|6 pages

The Status of Women

chapter 14|6 pages

Migrant Workers

part III|31 pages

Marriage and Family

chapter 15|6 pages

Families

chapter 16|4 pages

Ideal Spouse and Child

chapter 17|6 pages

Extramarital Relationships

chapter 18|6 pages

Divorce and Divorcees

chapter 19|8 pages

Leftover Women

part IV|27 pages

Needs, Values, and Aspirations

chapter 20|6 pages

Life Objectives and the Chinese Dream

chapter 21|4 pages

Role Models 1

chapter 22|6 pages

The Generations

chapter 23|4 pages

The Nouveau Riche

chapter 24|6 pages

Environmentalism

part V|19 pages

World View

chapter 25|6 pages

Attitudes towards Foreign Nations

chapter 26|6 pages

Cultural Identity

chapter 27|6 pages

Faux Emigrants

part VI|15 pages

Religion and Belief

chapter 28|8 pages

Religions and Faith

chapter 29|6 pages

Superstition

part VII|29 pages

Arts and Entertainment

chapter 31|6 pages

Duanzi 1

chapter 32|8 pages

Cuisines and Restaurants

chapter 33|8 pages

Nightlife

part VIII|41 pages

Governing System

chapter 34|8 pages

Political System

Governing as Partners

chapter 35|6 pages

The Legislative System

People's Congresses

chapter 36|6 pages

Administrative System

chapter 37|6 pages

The Legal System

chapter 38|8 pages

Corruption

chapter 39|6 pages

Social Thoughts

part IX|33 pages

Economic System

chapter IX 40|8 pages

The Three Types of Chinese Companies

chapter IX 41|6 pages

Business to Business

chapter IX 42|6 pages

The Business to Consumer Market

chapter IX 43|6 pages

Brands

chapter IX 44|6 pages

Pursuit of Expensive Products

part X|25 pages

Education System

chapter 45|6 pages

K–12 and Beyond

chapter 46|6 pages

Studying Abroad

chapter 48|6 pages

Professors and Scholarship

part XI|25 pages

Communication System

chapter XI 49|6 pages

Unidirectional Communication

chapter XI 50|6 pages

Bidirectional Communication

chapter XI 51|6 pages

Open Circle Communication

chapter XI 52|6 pages

Closed Circle Communication