ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the degree to which Confucian ideology is evident in the practices of modern Chinese business leaders. Seah and colleagues (2010) observe that very little is known about how national culture influences the leadership behaviours of Chinese CEOs. Chen and Kao (2009) propose that Chinese leadership is distinct from that of the West. They studied leadership style in relation to non-Chinese subordinate psychological health. Evidence was found to indicate that three value systems provide the ideological foundation for Chinese leadership practices: Confucianism, collectivism and Communism. Cheung and Chan call attention to the paucity of research on how Chinese leadership styles drive organizational success. Cheung and Chan studied the philosophical leadership foundations of eminent Hong Kong Chinese CEOs. Tsang points out that Confucianism has fostered collectivism in China, which manifests itself as guanxi relationships. Yan and Sorenson provide a summary of the literature pertaining to the influence of Confucianism within the context of Chinese family businesses.
