A note on what do we talk about when we talk about Chinese Research?

Martin Sposato

doi:10.48132/hdbr.258

Abstract

This research note addresses the question stated in its title, what do we talk about when we talk about Chinese research? The article provides arguments for an understanding of Chinese research as a cultural unit, regardless of regional, political and historical differences that can be found in different territories. This does not mean the regional, political and historical differences are not relevant to researchers, on the contrary, they must be taking into account by researchers. Cultural similarities are needed to connect the different types of Chinese cultures, but not at the expense of omitting regional differences.

Highlights

This research note addresses the question stated in its title, what do we talk about when we talk about Chinese research? The article provides arguments for an understanding of Chinese research as a cultural unit, regardless of regional, political and historical differences that can be found in different territories
This article aims at addressing the question stated in its title, what do we talk about when we talk about Chinese research? And to provide arguments for an understanding of Chinese research as a cultural unit, and understanding that acknowledges regional, political and historical differences that are part of modern Chinese research
For the last 30 years, China has been growing in importance and relevance to the world, and a clear definition of what is and what is not Chinese research could help to research in general and to establish what is indigenous Chinese research and what is not aiding on the etic-emic debate and research (Wang, et al, 2013)

Summary

How to cite this article

Its main publication, the peer-reviewed Journal of Management and Organizations Review, publishes articles related to Mainland China, and to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao and Singapore; in essence, research conducted in Chinese cultural contexts. Emic knowledge that is only relevant to the specific Chinese subculture studied, in this case, Hong Kong, as well as etic knowledge which is universally relevant across cultures (Sposato and Rumens, 2018) Based on this evidence, it is possible to conclude that in the broad field of management and its different subfields, Chinese culture tends to be understood and researched as a unified concept (Sposato, 2015). It is necessary to highly how local singularities have had an impact on each of the Chinese cultural groups when conducting research (Sposato and Jeffrey 2020)

Conclusion

Findings

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