A phenomenological examination of the acculturation of immigrant Chinese nationals to leadership roles in the corridor area of Eastern Iowa, United States

This phenomenological study focused on understanding the dynamics of the acculturation process. The study explored the lived experiences of immigrant Chinese nationals living and working in the corridor area of Eastern Iowa. The objective of the study was to examine the impact of Chinese core values learned in childhood versus the work value system used in the United States. This created the necessity to perceive and describe their reactions to the cultural differences in Western versus Chinese leadership styles. Research questions focused on the values the participants learned as children in China to discover if their core values have changed since their arrival in the United States, if the Chinese core values have had an impact on their career in Iowa, and if the perceived changes are as negative or positive. The topic of what makes a good leader was discussed, reflecting upon the various traits of both Chinese and Western leadership. Finally, a discussion around any areas of frustration from working in the West was covered. Data collection consisted of nine face-to-face interviews. Both structured and semi-structured questions provided the rich data of the lived experiences of the participants. This study followed Moustakas 6 stage procedure for qualitative analysis. Key findings indicated the Chinese immigrants in the United States encountered various issues resulting from their cultural background and communications that could lead to a misunderstanding of their abilities and often work in an adverse manner concerning raises and promotions.