Globalization and development revealed in Starbucks and Wal-Mart's business practices in Shanghai, China Issues in restructuring society for ethical practices

With the rise of globalization and development, Western companies like Starbucks and Wal-Mart are influencing the individual identities, culture and traditions of the urban youth in China. The subsequent rise of globalization and development influences traditions, culture, and individual identities among China's urban youth. China's urban youth represent the rising middle class and are major participants in Western consumerism. The significance of the research illuminates the serious concerns related to ethical issues associated with Starbucks' and Wal-Mart's emerging business practices as potential dilemmas for China's future social growth among the urban youth.;Critical hermeneutics theorists such as Ricoeur (1992), Gadamer (1999), Herda (1999) and Kearney (2002) illuminate the reader's understanding about the research categories for this project, which are ethics and identity. Therefore, Starbucks' and Wal-Mart's business practices, advertising, and marketing are viewed through the lens of critical hermeneutic theory and related sources in the literature. Critical hermeneutic research provides the necessary framework for understanding the research topic as the research categories of ethics and identity are explored.;The data elucidate that the Chinese urban youth desire to express individuality and status through participating in Western consumerism. Specifically the findings are that tension exists between respecting ancient Chinese culture and allowing Western influences into contemporary society. Some of the Chinese urban youth express the difficulty they have balancing participating in Western consumerism and holding onto aspects of their cultural identity. Chinese urban youth view the lifestyle of those in the United States as affluent, abundant in choice, and self-expressive through Western style. Some of the participants convey that global companies must have an understanding of Chinese culture and act ethically in their business ventures. The significance of studying large corporations in urban China is that we are living in an increasingly global community where trade is growing and the far-reaching effects of corporations in the United States are becoming more prevalent around the world.