Does China have more than one culture?

Abstract

This paper empirically compares regional differences in the work-related values of Chinese employees, using Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. In terms of individualism, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation, statistically significant differences were found across regions. Shenzhen scored higher on individualism and uncertainty avoidance than did Taiyuan. By contrast, Taiyuan scored higher than Shenzhen on long-term orientation. This regional difference with regard to individualism should not be surprising in light of China’s recent rapid economic development, as economic development is generally positively correlated with individualism. Economic development in shifting from an agricultural to an industrial economy is positively correlated with uncertainty avoidance. These results, as well as the fact that Shenzhen is now becoming China’s most successful economic area as the country experiences a degree of economic liberalization, in part explain Shenzhen’s higher uncertainty avoidance score. In a similar vein, Taiyuan was shown to exhibit a stronger long-term orientation than Shenzhen.

Appendices

Appendix 1

Values Survey Modules 1994

Please think of an ideal job, disregarding your present job, if you have one. In choosing an ideal job, how important would it be to you to ... (please circle one answer in each line across):

Appendix 2

Formulas for index calculation

• 1. Calculation of Power Distance Index (PDI)

  $$ {\hbox{PDI = }} - 35 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Manager\,Performance} \right) + 35 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Importance\,Of\,Consultation} \right) + 25 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Subordinates\,Are\,Fearful} \right) - 20 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Employees\,Having\,Two\,Bosses} \right) - 20 $$

• 2. Calculation of Individualism (IDV)

  $$ {\hbox{IDV}} = - 50 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Personal\,Time} \right) + 30 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Physical\,Workplace\,Conditions} \right) + 20 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Employment\,Security} \right) - 25 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Variety} \right) + 130 $$

• 3. Calculation of Masculinity Index (MAS)

  $$ {\hbox{MAS}} = + 60 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Cooperation} \right) - 20 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Advancement} \right) + 20 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Trust} \right) - 70 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Fail} \right) + 100 $$

• 4. Calculation of Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)

  $$ {\hbox{UAI}} = + 25 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Stress} \right) + 20 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Good\,Manager} \right) - 50 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Competition} \right) - 15 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Rule\,Orientation} \right) + 120 $$

• 5. Calculation of Long-term Orientation Index (LTO)

  $$ {\hbox{LTO}} = + 45 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Personal\,Steadiness} \right) - 30 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Thrift} \right) - 35 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Persistence} \right) + 15 \times \left( {{\hbox{mean}}\,{\hbox{of}}\,Tradition} \right) + 67 $$