Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Governance of Transcultural Values Management

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Governance Ethics: Global value creation, economic organization and normativity

Part of the book series: Ethical Economy ((SEEP,volume 48))

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the discussion of transcultural management by examining the adaptive characteristics of effective global governance structures, taking successful cooperation between Chinese and Western firms as an example. The process of economic globalization assumes the need for a successful interplay of the diversity of different moral cultures (intercultural dimension) and of the perception of shared cultural and moral practices (transcultural dimension); from this follows that the value systems and virtues of individual and collective actors have a direct relevance for the success or failure of multinational cooperation projects. After examining the challenges and requirements of comprehensive governance structures for transcultural management, it is pointed out that cooperation beyond cultural boundaries can only be successful if it is understood from the start as a collective learning and transforming process in which both parties participate because both can benefit from cooperation. What matters is not so much the discussion of fundamental moral issues as the creation of a cooperation process which permits the discussion of moral issues from the perspective of shared practice.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    For a fundamental treatment of this distinction see Wieland 1998.

  2. 2.

    For an interesting discussion on the relationship between Confucianism and business ethics in China cf. Xuanmeng et al. 1997, Chapter I and II; Ip 2009; Tu 2010. For the influence of Confucianism on entrepreneurship in China cf. Kirby and Fan 1995.

  3. 3.

    The article on which this chapter is based was written in 2006. In the meantime the discussion of business ethical questions in China has developed further. On this point cf. Lu 2009; Lu and Enderle 2006/2013.

  4. 4.

    Enderle (2006/2010) also underlines this aspect when he argues for “[…] an urgent need to build up formal institutions that are effective, stable, and fair.” (p. 4). This is a field in which much has happened recently. It is an interesting question how far the “legalistic school” of Han Fei Tzu can provide a point of contact here. Much seems to depend on whether the renewed discourse between Confucianism and “legalistic school” is successful this time (cf. the interesting material in Fung 1952, Chapter XIII).

  5. 5.

    For a more detailed treatment see the discussion on the global virtue circle in Chap. 10 in this volume.

  6. 6.

    On the problems involved in such estimations see Fu et al. 2004.

  7. 7.

    Hofstede distinguishes between the values of a nation and the practices of an organization and cannot therefore take the feedback effect of values to values into account conceptually.

  8. 8.

    On this point see Wieland 2002 and the ideas of Schneider and Barsoux 1997/2003.

  9. 9.

    On this point see Ouchi 1980; for a study of the cultural and organizational preconditions for guanxi: Lin 2011.

References

  • Blackburn, S. 2005. The Oxford dictionary of philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brief, A.P. (ed.). 2008. Diversity at work. New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan, J. 1975. The limits of liberty: Between anarchy and Leviathan. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Detienne, M., and J.P. Vernant. 1978. Cunning intelligence in Greek culture and society. Atlantic Highlands: Humanities Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eco, U., and T.A. Sebeok. 1983. The sign of three Dupin, Holmes, Peirce. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enderle, G. 2006/2010. An overview of the essays as a platform for further dialogue. In Developing business ethics in China, ed. X. Lu and G. Enderle. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez, J.A. 2004. The gentleman’s code of Confucius: Leadership by values. Organizational Dynamics 33(1): 21–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foo, C.T., and P.H. Grinyer. 1995. Sun Tzu on management: The art of war in contemporary business strategy. Singapore: Butterworth-Heinemann Asia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu, P.P., T.K. Peng, J.C. Kennedy, and G. Yukl. 2004. Examining the preferences of influence tactics in Chinese societies: A comparison of Chinese managers in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China. Organizational Dynamics 33(1): 32–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fung, Y.-L. 1952. A history of Chinese philosophy, vol. 1. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan, H. 2004. Interkulturelles Management. Am Beispiel des deutsch-chinesischen Joint Ventures. Hamburg: Kovac.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, Y., and A. Yochanan. 2009. Supervisor and subordinate guanxi: A grounded investigation in the People’s Republic of China. Journal of Business Ethics 88(1): 91–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, Y., P. Zhenglong, and Z. Yi. 2012. Supervisor–subordinate guanxi and trust in supervisor: A qualitative inquiry in the People’s Republic of China. Journal of Business Ethics 108(3): 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heiming, I. 1999. Interkulturelles Personalmanagement – Vorbereitung auf den chinesischen Markt. Bielefeld: Bertelsmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, Associates LLC. 2004. Personal trends in China: German Chamber Luncheon. Lecture: www.china.ahk.de/chamber/beijing/events/attachment/050524-AnnualReport.pdf. Accessed 06 Apr 2012.

  • Hofstede, G. 1980. Culture’s consequences: International differences in work-related values. Newbury Park: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G. 1997. Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind: Intercultural cooperation and its importance for survival. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G., and M.H. Bond. 1988. The Confucius-connection: From cultural roots to economic growth. Organizational Dynamics 16(4): 4–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ip, P.K. 2009. Is Confucianism good for business ethics in China? Journal of Business Ethics 88(3): 463–476.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, D.A., and Y. Fan. 1995. Chinese cultural values and entrepreneurship: A preliminary consideration. Journal of Enterprising Culture 3(3): 245–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, L.-H. 2011. Cultural and organizational antecedents of guanxi: The Chinese cases. Journal of Business Ethics 99(3): 441–451.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, X. 2009. A Chinese perspective: Business ethics in China now and in the future. Journal of Business Ethics 86(4): 451–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, X., and G. Enderle (eds.). 2006/2010. Developing business ethics in China. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ouchi, W. 1980. Markets, bureaucracies, and clans. Administrative Science Quarterly 25(1): 129–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen, M.H. 2006. Business integrity in China. The China Business Review 33(1): 32–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rawls, J. 1993. Political liberalism. New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, S.C., and J.-L. Barsoux. 1997/2003. Managing across cultures. Harlow: FT Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slevodt, D. 1997. Westliche Strategien auf östlichen Märkten: Deutsch-chinesische Business-to-Business-Kommunikation. Wiesbaden: Deutscher Universitäts Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trompenaars, F., and C. Hampden-Turner. 1998. Riding the waves of culture: Understanding diversity in global business. New York: Nicholas Brealey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsui, A.S., H. Wang, K. Xin, L. Zhang, and P.P. Fu. 2004. Let a thousand flowers bloom: Variation of leadership styles among Chinese CEOs. Organizational Dynamics 33(1): 5–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tu, W.-M. 2010. Confucian encounter with the enlightenment mentality of the modern west. Oriens Extremus 49: 249–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tzu, S. 2003. The art of war. New York: Penguin Classics.

    Google Scholar 

  • von Senger, H. 2004. 36 Strategeme für Manager. München/Wien: Hanser.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wieland, J. 1989. Die Entdeckung der Ökonomie. Kategorien, Gegenstandsbereiche und Rationalitätstypen der Ökonomie an ihrem Ursprung. Bern/Stuttgart: Haupt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wieland, J. 1997. Die langen Wellen institutionellen Wandels: Ökonomische Theorie und Theorie der Gesellschaft. In Norms matter, ed. M. Held, 238–261. Frankfurt a.M: Campus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wieland, J. 1998. Kooperationsökonomie: Die Ökonomie der Diversifität, Abhängigkeit und Atmosphäre. In Formelle und informelle Institutionen der Ökonomie: Genese und Evolution, ed. G. Wegner and J. Wieland, 9–33. Marburg: Metropolis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wieland, J. 2000. Globale Wirtschaftsethik: Steuerung, Legitimation und Kooperation. In Provokationen der Demokratietheorie, ed. M. Kettner. Frankfurt a.M: Suhrkamp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wieland, J. 2001. Eine Theorie der Governanceethik. Zeitschrift für Wirtschafts- und Unternehmensethik 2(1): 8–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wieland, J. 2002. Die Governance kultureller Diversifität. In Transkulturelle Wertekonflikte: Theorie und wirtschaftsethische Praxis, ed. K. Röttgers and P. Koslowski, 104–123. Heidelberg: Physica.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Wieland, J. 2005. Die Normativität der Governance. Marburg: Metropolis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wieland, J., and M.C. Becker. 2004. Über das Verhältnis von Struktur und Kultur in der neuen Organisationsökonomik. In Perspektiven einer kulturellen Ökonomik, ed. G. Blümle, N. Goldschmidt, R. Klump, B. Schauenberg, and H. von Senger, 441–449. Münster: LIT.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williamson, O.E. 1996. The mechanisms of governance. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xuanmeng, Y., L. Xiaohe, L. Fangton, Z. Rulun, and G. Enderle (eds.). 1997. Economic ethics and Chinese culture. Washington, DC: The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zeppelin University, Friedrichshafen, Germany

    Josef Wieland

Authors
  1. Josef Wieland
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wieland, J. (2014). The Governance of Transcultural Values Management. In: Governance Ethics: Global value creation, economic organization and normativity. Ethical Economy, vol 48. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07923-3_11

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation