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This information was printed from the JAIMS Web site located at:
http://www.jaims.org
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Cross-Cultural Values and the Challenges in China

May 28, 2003

HONOLULU — On May 28, 2003, JAIMS China-focused MBA (CHEMBA) students were fortunate to be an audience to Donny Huang, president of 4stones Cross-Cultural Development Co. Ltd.

The topic of Huang’s lecture was “Cross-Cultural Management: Living and Working in China.” He focused on the differences in Western and Chinese values and how understanding these differences is crucial for doing business in China.

“ You need to know what motivates Chinese,” Huang stressed, “What determines their values, their behavior, their work ethic…”

He explained how entrenched Western business methods will likely sabotage the success of Americans trying to do business in China.

Everyday, managers in China face decisions that will challenge a Westerner’s sense of business management. It may be due to dubious yet profitable transactions or simply to differing cultural values. In any case, Huang says, your own core values will be deeply tested.

“ What will you do?” Huang asked the students, “Are you able to put aside your values [for business in China]?”

It was a sobering question to pose as the CHEMBA students near the end of their program.

Huang suggested that there needs to be an element of creativity when working within China. Expatriates need to balance on the fine line that wavers between Chinese and Western business ethics while being true to themselves.

  


(Donny Huang, President, 4stones Cross-Cultural Development Co. Ltd.)

“It’s overwhelming, this period in Chinese history… There are so many opportunities available now, and that is why it is so great that [JAIMS students] are in the [CHEMBA] program.”

— Donny Huang

Besides his position at 4stones, Donny Huang is an adjunct professor at Sino-U.S. Business School in Beijing and was once an adjunct faculty member at JAIMS. He was also vice president for sales and marketing at Oztime Technology and Network Co. Ltd., a leading e-learning company. Huang has conducted many management-training workshops for managers of leading Chinese companies and has published many articles in top management magazines in China. He received his MBA in international management from Thunderbird, the American Graduate School of International Management.