European And American Enterprises In China Cross-cultural Management Research

The dissertation is aimed at examining cross-culture managerial issues from the perspectives of western firms in China. First of all, the author summarized various behaviors of western firms in China in relation to culture difference and gave a thorough explanation to the reasons of these behaviors in a philosophical approach. Then, the author discussed the mechanism of the cross-culture forces through the model of cross-culture four forces, which is particularly designed for western firms in China. It is believed that performance of the cross-culture forces is reflected by two types of cross-culture challenges, i.e., the one to be accommodated and the other to be met with. The magnitude of a cross-culture challenge is determined by two factors. One concerns what type of the cross-culture challenge the firm is going to face and the other what form of the market entrance the firm is going to take. The author has utilized a framework of cross-culture challenge magnitude to make an insight into the magnitude of a certain cross-culture challenge. After that, the author put forth a notion of forming a positive reaction strategy against cross-culture challenges for the sake of western firms in China. With a view of developing and enhancing core competences of a firm, this strategy is composed of selection of the best market entrance approach that the western firm is supposed to base on the market entering model and that should not be decided simply because of consideration of the magnitude of cross-culture challenges. In addition, the establishment of the cross-culture management model with characteristics Of harmonious-culture is the key part of the positive reaction strategy against cross-culture challenges. Finally, the author came up with proposals for western firms in China on their methods of building up a cross-culture management model with characteristics of harmonious-culture. The cross-culture management model with characteristics of harmonious-culture comprises five elements which are leadership, planning, execution, controlling and harmonious culture. This model shows the element of leadership in the middle, the element of harmonious culture in the perimeter and the elements of planning, execution and controlling in between the former two elements. As the model looks like a wheel, it is also called the wheel of cross-culture management.