Chinese ethnicity and values: a country cluster comparison
Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal
ISSN: 1352-7606
Article publication date: 30 October 2007
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare value clusters of people from the same ethnic group living in different circumstances and conditions by describing the conditions and measuring various value dimensions.
Design/methodology/approach
The nature of the concept values is teased out, particularly by considering pressures towards convergence and divergence and the validity of scaling values. A brief description of the socio‐economic and cultural environment of the various countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China) leads into the analysis of data. Collected data were analysed through factor analysis to consider clustering of values and to facilitate comparison.
Findings
The paper indicates that there is a significant overlap between clustered values across different locations, which, however, shows minor differences. The paper implies that ethnicity and cultural heritage determine values more than socio‐economic circumstances.
Research limitations/implications
It is not an in‐depth analysis of Chinese culture and Chinese values and represents a selected population. Findings are likely to differ when considering an older segment of the population.
Practical implications
The paper confirms the cultural similarity between people of the same ethnic group yet points out important nuance differences between people of different countries.
Originality/value
In view of the rising importance of China as a world player, this paper sheds light on the notion of “being Chinese” and its subsequent value system amongst ethnic Chinese people in selected countries.
Keywords
Citation
Soontiens, W. (2007), "Chinese ethnicity and values: a country cluster comparison", Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 321-335. https://doi.org/10.1108/13527600710830340
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited