| In an attempt to generalize, it is possible to work | | | | tradition disguising nostalgia for the past; 4) the |
| out some models representing the conceptual | | | | current Chinese campaign for "modernization" is |
| framework of the Chinese and American cultures. | | | | not necessarily a process of change in the |
| These models do not provide an exhaustive | | | | Chinese people's fundamental mentality or |
| picture of the two cultures, but they do illustrate | | | | behavior. To be aware of these points is, perhaps, |
| the fundamental differences between them. One | | | | to cross an important threshold for reaching a |
| question may arise regarding the Chinese model: | | | | sound understanding of the Chinese people. In |
| Why should Confucian ideology and the past | | | | many a case, quick-fix tips for U.S. companies |
| tradition, rather than other contemporary forces, | | | | dealing with China tend to be misleading, because |
| be looked on as the working determinants for | | | | they ignore the essentials upon which Chinese |
| today's Chinese culture? An explanatory | | | | cultural complexity and richness are built. |
| argument, not an answer to the question, could | | | | Cross-cultural management strategies should be |
| point to the following: 1) over the long history of | | | | based on cultural implications that derive from |
| the Chinese civilization, Confucian ideology has | | | | basic values, beliefs, world views, and social |
| been firmly established as an undeniable system | | | | relationships. For a generalized picture of the |
| governing nearly all aspects of Chinese lives; 2) | | | | Chinese national character, the following listing |
| thousands of years of a feudalistic system have | | | | may serve as the gist: sanity, simplicity, love of |
| dominated the Chinese view of themselves and | | | | nature, patience, indifference, old roguery, |
| the world; 3) it is uniquely true that, to gain | | | | fecundity, industry, frugality, pacifism, |
| acceptance in China, new ideas have to be | | | | contentment, family orientation, intuition, |
| proved compatible with classics and tradition. | | | | submission, dependency, conservatism, sensuality, |
| Chinese values have continued to be prized by | | | | and reluctance. |
| minds more traditionalistic than traditional with | | | | |