Innovation, trust and Chinese culture
The role of culture in innovation can never be underestimated. Unfortunately, there's not that much in the literature on this fascinating subject -- innovation continues to be treated mainly as a technical issue. I've been reading Trust,
by Francis Fukuyama, and I have found it fascinating reading. It's one of those books that contain many a hidden gem.
Fukuyama, always a controversial figure, asserts that Chinese society is a low-trust society, relative to Japanese, German and American societies. Fukuyama argues that this low trust places what is effectively a "tax" on the economy, and is part of the reason why Taiwan and Hong Kong are made up of thousands of small, family-owned firms. Fukyuma continues to offer some interesting insights into Japanese, German, Italian, French, South Korean, American, and Chinese societes:
"The United States, like Japan and Germany, has historically been a high-trust, group-oriented society despite the fact that Americans believe themselves to be rugged individualists." (p. 10)
"In contrast to Japan, Chinese society is not group oriented." (p. 75)
He points out, however, that America is in danger of losing its high trust and group orientation, a situation that has important implications for the economy.
If you are interested in doing business in Asia, particularly China, this book is very informative and cuts through a lot of the commonly held myths that get taught in Western business schools (e.g. the group is more important than the individual in Chinese society). I've also added a few other books that can help you better understand Chinese culture in business. If you know of any more, please feel free to add them!
The Soong Dynasty
The Spirit of Chinese Capitalism
World on Fire
Commerce and Capitalism in Chinese Societies
Amy Chua, author of World on Fire, discusses the dangers of having a "market-dominant" ethnic minority embedded in a democratically elected, impoverished majority. There is a video of her discussing her book HERE.
by Francis Fukuyama, and I have found it fascinating reading. It's one of those books that contain many a hidden gem.
Fukuyama, always a controversial figure, asserts that Chinese society is a low-trust society, relative to Japanese, German and American societies. Fukuyama argues that this low trust places what is effectively a "tax" on the economy, and is part of the reason why Taiwan and Hong Kong are made up of thousands of small, family-owned firms. Fukyuma continues to offer some interesting insights into Japanese, German, Italian, French, South Korean, American, and Chinese societes:
"The United States, like Japan and Germany, has historically been a high-trust, group-oriented society despite the fact that Americans believe themselves to be rugged individualists." (p. 10)
"In contrast to Japan, Chinese society is not group oriented." (p. 75)
He points out, however, that America is in danger of losing its high trust and group orientation, a situation that has important implications for the economy.
If you are interested in doing business in Asia, particularly China, this book is very informative and cuts through a lot of the commonly held myths that get taught in Western business schools (e.g. the group is more important than the individual in Chinese society). I've also added a few other books that can help you better understand Chinese culture in business. If you know of any more, please feel free to add them!
The Soong Dynasty
The Spirit of Chinese Capitalism
World on Fire
Commerce and Capitalism in Chinese Societies
Amy Chua, author of World on Fire, discusses the dangers of having a "market-dominant" ethnic minority embedded in a democratically elected, impoverished majority. There is a video of her discussing her book HERE.
Labels: innovation
posted by Gordon Graham at 12:00 AM
1 Comments:
Very nice reading guys! This blog is among my bookmarks now for sure.
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