Development, measurement, and managerial implications of Chinese values

Abstract

This study contributes to the literature by exploring the research gap for a need to better understand what Chinese values are and how they are to be measured. This study used a summative content analysis approach to develop Chinese values. Chinese values are influenced by the great Chinese thinkers. Their ideologies and underlying thoughts could be extracted by referring to literature and primary Chinese ancient texts. This study is rich with details over Chinese values drawn from the major Chinese philosophers. It is also the first Chinese values inventory in which each value presents its corresponding source of a Chinese ancient text. In this study, 50 Chinese Values Inventory (CVI50) and a questionnaire (CVQ50) were developed, in which 38 Chinese values were identified. A four-dimensional value system: personal values, social values, altruistic values, and natural values were empirically supported. This study also provides managerial guidelines for those who are expatriated to work in Chinese societies.

Keywords

• chinese values
• cultural values
• expatriate
• cvi50
• cvq50