Characteristics Of Chinese Culture Research Articles

Effects of Chinese parental practices on adolescent school outcomes mediated by conformity to parents, self-esteem, and self-efficacy

This study examines how the parental support and control affected school outcomes through conformity to parents, self-esteem, and self-efficacy in adolescence in Mainland China. The sample included 350 junior and senior high school students age ranging from 12 to 19 years, 48% of them were males. Using path model analysis, results showed that parental support but not reasoning predicted conformity and self-esteem which in turn predicted school motivation and grade point average. Parental control including autonomy granting and monitoring also predicted school outcomes mediated by both conformity and self-esteem. Some gender differences were found. Both parental support and control indeed have great impact on adolescents. The more salient effectiveness of parental control may be due to the Chinese cultural characteristics.

The Role of Cross-Cultural Factors in Integrative Conflict Resolution and Crisis Communication: The Hainan Incident

This article offers an integrated theoretical and policy-oriented framework for cross-cultural conflict resolution by exploring relationships among conflict resolution styles and crisis communicative strategies with emphasis on both conflict structure and cross-cultural factors. Using the Hainan negotiation between China and the United States as a case study, the factors inherent in conflict are investigated with respect to Chinese cultural characteristics. The congruence of the Chinese context with integrative conflict management is explored. The analysis indicated that the use of mediators and consideration of renqing (favor) and mianzi (face), which are central resources in Chinese interpersonal interactions, are likely to contribute to an integrative conflict solution.

Family Firms, Networks and ‘Ethnic Enterprise’: Chinese Food Industry in Britain

Chinese family enterprises in the United Kingdom have penetrated many different sectors of the economy, including restaurants, wholesaling, retailing, trading, manufacturing, property development, computer services and investment holding. Among the companies in these sectors, those involved in different segments of the food industry, as manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers, reputedly feature characteristics of Chinese culture. A majority of these enterprises, for example, function as family firms. This study explores the assertion that, among companies owned by ethnic minorities, culture strongly influences form of business development. This argument will be assessed through a focus on Chinese food-based enterprises in the UK. Two family-controlled companies, Seven Seas (Frozen Food) Ltd and Dayat Foods Packaging Ltd, were selected as case studies as they are involved in key business components of the Chinese food chain industry. Through an in-depth comparative study of the history and development of these two firms, we consider the argument that Chinese businesses have evolved well because of family ties and their inclusion in mutually-beneficial ethnically-constructed networks. Through these case studies, we provide an alternative perspective to diasporic Chinese business development which brings into question the extensive use of the concept of ethnic enterprise.

Cultural Details in China’s Commercial Display

With the development of economy and the conversion of consumption in China, increasing importance has been attached to the form and scale of commercial display. By emphasizing the indispensable role of culture, this article aims at encouraging Chinese businesses to combine commercial display with Chinese culture, in which Chinese cultural background and consumption characteristics should be based on to establish a commercial display pattern with Chinese characteristics.

Interpreting “Differences” on Return from Europe In Perspectives of Education and Culture

Basing on “Chinese and foreign mutual knowledge”,this paper interprets the differences and gaps between China and some European countries on cultural heritage,environmental protection,public hygiene, personal relationship and freedom of others in perspectives of general education and social culture. It emphasizes that only accelerate educational development and cultural dissemination can we cultivate cultural confidence and cultural consciousness of the nation,and display characteristics of Chinese culture consciously in the trend of cultural globalization and educational internationalization.

Impact of Perceived Fit on E-Government User Evaluation

Based on information technology adoption theories and considering Chinese cultural characteristics, this article proposes a user centric IT/IS evaluation model composed of three determinants, namely perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived fit, for investigating the e-government systems application and management in China. By empirically validating the model with survey data, it is demonstrated that the perceived fit has significant impacts on the end users’ evaluation towards e-government systems, due to the special element of Hexie in the Chinese culture. The results also indicate that the reasons for failures in e-government systems application in China largely lie in the lack of fit, which may root in the long power distance characteristic of the Far Eastern culture. The findings will provide scholars and practitioners with better understanding of the user evaluation regarding e-government systems in a Chinese cultural context.

The Relationship between Sex-role and Subjective Well-being in China

Since the development of the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) in 1974, numerous studies have been devoted to sex role. Among these studies, the relation of sex-role to psychological well-being has received the most attention. To date, three theories regarding the utility of sex-roles have been proposed: the congruency model, the androgyny model, and the masculinity model. The congruency model posits that masculinity facilitates male's mental health but not female's while femininity facilitates female's well-being but not male's. Androgyny model states that people with high levels of both masculinity and femininity enjoy the highest level of well-being independent of their gender. Masculinity model holds that masculinity is the dominant factor that promotes one's psychological well-being. Since most related studies have been done in individualistic cultures, the present study aims to test the generality of the findings in a collectivistic culture, China, by examining the relation of sex-role to subjective well-being. Sex-role was measured by a Chinese version of the BSRI(for masculine subscale, α=0.86; for feminine subscale, α=0.82); Subjective Well-Being was measured by scale developed by Diener and his colleagues (1985)(for the Satisfaction with Life Scale(SWLS), α=0.85; for the Positive Affections and Negative Affections Scale(PANAS), α=0.85). Both scales were rated on a 7-point likert scale. A total of 1242 college students completed the above mentioned two scales online among which 394 were male and 848 were female. The age of the sample ranged from 17 to 25 with a mean of 20.88 (SD=1.46). Chinese college students scored higher on feminine scale than on masculine scale, confirming the collectivistic characteristics of Chinese culture. Two hierarchical regression analyses were conducted with sex, masculinity and femininity as predictors and SWL and PANAS as criteria, respectively. Results demonstrated that the main effects of sex, masculinity and femininity were significant, but none of the interactions were significant. This suggests that the addictive androgyny model is most appropriate in explaining the relation of sex-role to subjective well-being in Chinese culture. Currently, the traditional congruency model is not applicable to neither Western nor Eastern cultures. However, a masculine sex role is ideal in western world while androgyny is ideal in China, suggesting differences exist across cultures in ideal sex-role type. The study also suggests that findings of sex role related research based on a western sample should not be assumed to generalize to other cultures without further examination.

中國大學生情緒表達性之探索性研究

The present research is an exploratory research focused on emotional expressivity of university students in China. The methodology of the research combined quantitative and qualitative, including Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire (BEQ, Gross & John, 1995) drawn from U.S.A., and in-depth interview. 1531 participants from 13 universities in Beijing with 829 females and 702 males were invited to participate in the research, and 15 students with 7 females and 8 males (about 1% of Ss) received the in-depth interview. In this research, data shows that Chinese university students are highly in emotional expressivity generally, especially in positive emotional expressivity (M=5.25, SD=.80), while relatively low in negative emotional expressivity (M=4.02, SD=.99). Significant differences are found in Chinese students' emotional expressivity in gender, and major (p<.05). Females are higher than males, and students who study Arts display higher emotional expressivity than students who study Science. From in-depth interview data analysis, strong Chinese culture characteristics can be found in students' emotion expressivity, including relation-focus, the doctrine of the medium, and family-value-focus, etc. Gender difference in emotional expressivity can be tracked to Chinese traditional concept of gender expectation as "Male dominate outside while female dominate inside" (男主外女主內). Since most of the Arts students are female, they higher in emotional expressivity may also be tracked to gender expectation of emotional discourse. The present research is to present some principle of emotional expressivity of university students in China, and the finding of the research can be the empirical basis for university students' emotional education, psychological counseling and the further research, not only in practice but also in future researches. 本文是關於中國大學生情緒表達性的探索性研究，研究方法採用了質性研究和量化研究，包括了採用伯克利大學的情緒表達性量表 (Gross & John, 1995) 和深入訪談方法。參加此次的問卷調查是來自北京13所大學 (約占北京市高校13%) 的1531位大學生 (829女702男) ，從中抽取15位學生 (7女8男，約占總數1%) 進行深入訪談。結果表明中國大學生情緒表達性總體而言並不低，尤其積極情緒的表達傾向性較高(M=5.25, SD=.80)，消極情緒表達性相對較低(M=4.02, SD=.99)。性別和學生所學專業較明顯地影響學生的情緒表達性(p<.05)，總體而言，女生高於男生，而文科類學生高於理工科類學生。從訪談的結果可以看出，學生的情緒表達性深受中國文化的影響，包括維護人際關係和諧、中庸之道以及家庭價值為中心等傳統文化與價值。性別的差異可以追溯到中國傳統文化對不同性別在情緒上的不同期望，尤其受 "男主外女主內" 的傳統文化影響較多。本研究首次描述了中國大學生情緒表達性的現狀，研究結果希望為大學生的情緒健康教育、心理輔導等在實踐和研究提供實證性基礎。

Business‐to‐business marketing as a key factor for increasing service revenue in China

PurposeThis study seeks to examine how Chinese culture affects business‐to‐business marketing strategies and service revenue in manufacturing companies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper used a combination of qualitative research approaches, namely interviews, longitudinal study and bi‐polar case studies. The sequence of the qualitative research approaches was chosen to maximize internal and external validity.FindingsThe findings expose the impact of the characteristics of Chinese culture on a firm's potential to generate high service revenues in business marketing.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has possible location‐ and industry‐specific limitations.Originality/valueThe implicit logic for increasing service revenue starts with overcoming typical and, in some respects, limiting cultural characteristics. These characteristics limit business‐to‐business marketing for increasing service revenue. Monitoring the effects of Chinese culture and gaining an understanding of how they have to be managed provides some guidance for managers to generate high service revenues.

Sensitive educational research in small states and territories: the case of Macau

This paper explores the sensitivities of conducting educational research in small states and territories, where the very act of conducting research, aside from its purposes or focuses, is itself a sensitive matter. The paper takes a ‘critical case study’ of Macau and examines cultural, educational, political, micro‐political, interpersonal and practical issues, overlaid by characteristics of Chinese culture, that must be factored into the planning and conduct of research in the territory. It suggests that compromises and trade‐offs have to be made in educational research in small states and territories, and argues that researchers must anticipate a range of problems in advance, and, through ingenuity, networking and sensitivity, overcome them. The magnification of sensitivities in small states and territories contributes to their special educational ecology; investigating these is frequently an interpersonal as well as a research matter.

Working Within the Cultural Context of Chinese American Families

This article focuses on applying a novel approach to address cultural issues in working with Chinese American families. The author proposes that a Multicultural Integrative Family Therapy Approach has special applicability to working with Chinese American families. This approach emphasizes working within the family's cultural context. A brief description of some of the major Chinese American cultural characteristics is presented as well as some of the conflicts that may occur in cultural clashes between Chinese and American cultures. A case example demonstrates how these concepts can be applied in working with a Chinese American family.

Organizational communications in Hong Kong: a cultural approach to groupthink

PurposeThe term, groupthink, refers to group over‐cohesiveness that causes defective decision making. The purpose of this theoretical paper is to explore common Chinese cultural characteristics which have the potential to lead to symptoms of groupthink within the Hong Kong organizational environment.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology called “quality function deployment” was applied to measure the relationships between a set of predefined Chinese cultural factors and the groupthink symptoms.FindingsThis research found that among all the Chinese cultural factors, the aspect of status has a strong relationship with the symptoms of groupthink.Originality/valueThis paper provides useful insights into aspects of groupthink and Chinese cultural characteristics.

Reggio experiences in Hong Kong—A touch of Chinese culture: The Sheung Wan story and Chinese Opera project

This paper reports two projects done by children in Hong Kong, adapting the Reggio experience to fit the local needs of the community and the children. As Carla Rinaldi said, children are constantly “in search of meaning, finding the sense and meaning of things we do” (Lee, 2001, p. 29). The first project documented how children of the Lee Wai Lee Kindergarten studied Chinese culture as seen in their neighbourhood, Sheung Wan — a vicinity maintaining a strong Chinese cultural characteristics. Students of the Higher Diploma in Child Care and Education and staff of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, worked collaboratively with the children and teachers, to explore the linkages of the past with the present way of life. They found out that the dim-sum baskets in the Tea Houses were made in Sheung Wan, and that dim sum baskets are for steaming food. In the mini-projects that followed, children created a “moving chair” to make walking uphill more comfortable and safe for grandma. Another group of children studied “Antiquity Street” and theorized on what is “Koo Tung” (Antiques). The Child Care student teachers and children partnership served two purposes. The former supported with documentation skills, acting and thinking with the children; while the latter theorized and discovered. Sergio Spaggiari said “the underlying concept of Reggio Emilia is the fact that education must be a social, community process. It is a pedagogy of relationships, with emphasis on thinking and building together in collaboration, and exalting the individuality” (Lee, 2001, p. 3). The two in solidarity, worked together to construct and to build knowledge. The second project reported on how a Chinese facial mask started the children in the Hong Kong Christian Services Child Care Centre in their investigation of Chinese Opera. A series of creative and artistic reflections led the chidlren to make facial masks, sketched their favorite actor/actress, and designed stage costumes. They enjoyed creating artifacts and seeing and participating in a performance of Chinese Opera. The intensity of the children’s interest in the project went beyond these expectations. Their imaginations were ‘fired up’ in part by their intuitive understanding that Chinese Opera is a unique expression and reflection of Chinese culture. This project had immense potential as a basis for both academic and creative learning. Both projects were documented by the Radio Television of Hong Kong for Educational Television of the Education and Manpower Bureau, were broadcasted on the Educational Television Channels in all primary and kindergartens in Hong Kong.

Dispute resolution management for international construction projects in China

PurposeUnfamiliar with the Chinese culture and ways of doing business, foreign architects/engineers/contractors (AEC) firms will encounter differences with the local parties. With reference to the characteristics of Chinese culture on disputes, this paper studies the problem areas of dispute and of resolving disputes in international construction projects in China. The objectives are to: examine the fundamentals of Chinese culture and ways of doing business; examine the characteristics of international projects and investigate any differences in the dispute problems arising from China International Projects; identify the most popular dispute resolution mechanism(s) for international projects in China; and recommend possible ways to reduce and resolve disputes of these projects.Design/methodology/approachAfter literature review, a questionnaire was designed for face‐to‐face interviews with 40 practitioners to collect their opinions.FindingsThe results show that the problem areas giving rise to disputes are mainly related to contractual matters. To reflect the characteristics of international projects in China, cultural and legal matters are also found to be the sources of problem. Arbitration is the most popular method, after negotiation, for resolving disputes in international construction projects in China.Research limitations/implicationsThe number of interviewees in this study could be improved and further study could include experts in Mainland China.Originality/valueThere is not much literature on dispute resolution management for international construction projects in China, with particular reference to cultural differences. This paper offers an invaluable reference for those foreign AEC firms interested in joining international projects in China.

Service failure recovery in China

In the hotel industry, exceptional service failure recovery is a key determinant of customer satisfaction and loyalty. Western‐based hotel corporations should adapt their failure recovery training programs for their properties in China. Adjustments are necessary because of differences in cognitive processing. Modifications are also required due to various Chinese cultural characteristics.

Cultural influence on relationship cultivation strategies: Multinational companies in China

This study of multinational companies in China focuses on the role culture plays in relationship cultivation. The author interviewed 40 participants from 36 multinational companies in China. The findings revealed that characteristics of Chinese culture, such as family orientation, guanxi, relational orientation (role formalisation, relational interdependence, face, favour, relational harmony, relational fatalism and relational determination) had an influence on multinational companies’ relationship cultivation strategies. Multinationals from Western countries were found, however, to be more persistent in maintaining their own cultural values in relationship building than multinational companies from Asian countries.

A Safer Sky: An Examination of Factors Affecting Flight Safety in Taiwan

On April 26, 1994, China Airlines (CAL) Flight 140, service from Taipei, Taiwan to Nagoya, Japan, crashed near Nagoya International Airport while attempting an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Runway 34. The fully loaded Airbus 300-622R stalled at an altitude of approximately 1,500 feet which resulted in a fiery crash that killed all 264 onboard (Sogame, Ladkin). This tragedy was not the first fatal crash to the Taiwanese carrier. In fact, CAL has suffered numerous fatal crashes since its establishment, and it has been rated as one of the most dangerous airlines in the world (Schultz). Many argued that the carrier's infamous safety record was a direct result of the culture barriers experienced by its flight crews. Most people agree that Chinese culture is dramatically different from most other cultures. Many researchers also believe that these cultural differences are the fundamental cause of the poor safety records in most Asian nations. The purpose of this research paper is to examine the characteristics of Chinese culture and its relationship with aviation human factors (AHF). This paper will also examine the possibility of adapting the concept of Crew Resource Management (CRM) to improve flight safety.

The application of cognitive-behavioral therapy to counseling Chinese.

The purpose of this article is to discuss and analyze the application of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to counsel Chinese. The analysis of the potential strengths and weaknesses of applying CBT in the treatment of Chinese clients are delineated based on the compatibility between the characteristics of CBT and Chinese culture. Modifications of CBT aiming at enhancing its effectiveness for Chinese within their cultural context are discussed. The study offers implications for clinical practice, training, and research.

Personality correlates of loving styles among Chinese students in Hong Kong

Abstract The present study explored how the six loving styles of ludus, mania, eros, agape, storge, and pragma were correlated with the Big Five personality traits among Chinese university students. Two hundred and eleven university students in Hong Kong filled out a Chinese version of Hendrick and Hendrick’s revised Love Attitudes Questionnaire and the Chinese version of the NEO Personality Inventory — Short Form. Personality correlates of the six loving styles were markedly different from those found in the West. These differences are discussed in light of Chinese cultural characteristics.

Shi JingSongs as Performance Texts: A Case Study of “Chu Ci” (Thorny Caltrop)

Focused on a detailed philological analysis of the sacrificial hymn “Chu ci” in theShijing, the present study aims to reconstruct the dramatic multi-vocal structure of an exemplary early Chinese performance text. Examining the interrelation between performance and commemoration from anthropological, art historical, and linguistic perspectives, the study in its first part outlines major characteristics of early Chinese ritual culture in terms of ritual self-reference, aesthetic expression, cultural memory, and the performative act of constituting ritual reality. After these historical and theoretical considerations, a fully annotated translation of “Chu ci” is offered, with the text presented in its multi-vocal structure. This structure of multiple voices and changing perspectives is then discussed through a close analysis of linguistic features such as rhyme shifts, the distribution of pronouns and formal designations for the ritual participants, and the use of formulaic prayer sequences. It is argued that these features are directly interrelated and, if seen together, allow us to reconstruct “Chu ci” as an actual performance text that can be related to specific practices and situations of early Chinese ritual culture. It is concluded that only such a reconstruction renders the text fully intelligible, integrating all its otherwise unruly linguistic elements into a coherent reading. In view of the evidence from “Chu ci,” it is suggested that its multi-vocal structure is not a singular phenomenon but reflects a principle of composition that might also apply to other early Chinese ritual texts.