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